Learning

Every child's entitlement is to have high quality and engaging learning opportunities.

Learning at St. Anthony’s Primary School is guided by the Australian Curriculum and the CESA Living Learning Leading Framework. Our children are provided with opportunities to learn in a co-constructed environment where self-efficacy, metacognition and agency is nurtured. Our Literacy Agreement highlights these learning strategies and are encompassed in the Reading Program for R – 3 children, in the Seven Steps to Writing Program and in Book Making.

Learning is fashioned to build knowledge, skills and for each child to develop an understanding of their own learning requirements through a participatory approach, employing real-world situations and using engaging pedagogies. Teachers consider each child’s learning needs and students are provided opportunities to enter learning tasks at each child’s level of learning through differentiation and the creation of Personalised Plans for Learning (PPLs), if required. Children are also given the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other.

Play based learning via Investigations is an essential element in the Junior Primary years, assisting children to build their knowledge, skills, and understandings, which is crucial for language development and social skills.

At St. Anthony’s we aim to provide innovative learning opportunities,  such as our focus on Ecological Sustainability, Design Thinking Program, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Program and Social Justice Programs, cultivating a zest for life and a commitment to lifelong learning.

 

Key Learning Areas

St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School utilises the Australian Curriculum which sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. It describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth and active participation in the Australian community. At St. Anthony’s we have implemented the following Key Learning Areas :

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, HPE, the Arts (incorporating Music) and Languages.

Further areas such as; Cooking, Design Thinking, Occasional Care and Early Learning, are a large part of our learning programs. Our broad curriculum and high expectations of students encourages them to become lifelong learners.

 

English

At St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School English / Literacy is based on the Australian Curriculum and informed by the Whole School Literacy Agreement:

Through the engagement with English, we believe children:

Establish literacy through knowledge, skills and dispositions across multiple contexts

Can acquire the skills and dispositions to become literate

Must be provided with the opportunities to demonstrate their learning to a high standard

Progress through learning at an individual pace, and this is honoured in learning programs

Thrive in a co-constructed environment where self-efficacy, metacognition and student agency is nurtured.

Students engage in a minimum of two lessons per day, involving reading, viewing, writing, creating, and reflecting on texts. Reading and Writing Skills are developed through explicit instruction and Reviews. Further strategies include Modelled, Shared and Guided reading and writing.

English programs are supported by evidence based programs including: Seven Steps to Writing,  Bookmaking, the Early Years Home Reading Program and Jolly Phonics and Grammar.

 

Early Years Reading

St. Anthony’s aims for all children to develop a love of books, reading and literature. Working in partnership with students and parents, every child participates in an independent home reading program tailored to meet their needs. Regular reading habits that promote agency and independence help children develop a strong identity as capable and competent lifelong learners.

 

Mathematics

At St. Anthony’s there is an emphasis on developing numeracy aptitude. Mathematics and Numeracy is a way of understanding the world. At St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School we encourage students to be confident in dealing with mathematical concepts through investigating, comparing and reflecting to solve problems. A strong emphasis is placed on problem solving activities and mental computations.

 

Science

Science uses three interrelated strands to expand children’s curiosity and willingness to explore, ask questions about the changing world in which they live. Science Understanding, Science as Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry Skills provide students with understanding, knowledge and skills through which they can develop a scientific view of the world.

 

Religious Education

Religious Education invites students to examine the world of human culture and the world of religion, exploring a Catholic world view, fostering the search for meaning and truth, and making links to the Good News of Jesus. This religious dimension is given depth by the faith witness of staff through their presence, relationships and teaching.

Catholic schools view Religious Education as a core curriculum area. As well as being an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills, values, and dispositions. Religious Education in a Catholic school invites students into a deepening encounter with the living God.

Our Religious Education Programme, including Made in the Image of God (MITIOG), is based on the New  Crossways and MITIOG curriculum developed by Catholic Education SA. All children participate in daily prayer, grace before meals and end of day blessings.

 

Specialist Areas

St. Anthony’s offers a variety of specialist subjects including:

Music – offered to students from R-6.

Science – R-3 students have one 50 minute Science lesson per week while 4-6 students have two 50 minute lessons, all in our newly built St Francis Learning Centre.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program – our Year 6 students take part in Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program once a fortnight for 1 and a half hours. Students participate in a holistic food education program. From the planting of the seed, harvesting, cooking and sharing.

Physical Education – a specialist area for R – 3 and taught by classroom teachers for Years 4-6.

 

Seesaw and Learning

St. Anthony’s utilizes ‘Seesaw’ a digital portfolio to record and share what is happening in the classroom and at school. Seesaw provides teachers and students a space to document their learning. Each student has their own journal and teachers and students will add things to it such as photos, videos, drawings, notes and links over the course of their school day. Seesaw gives students the creative tools to capture and reflect on their learning – in real time. A valuable feature of Seesaw is the ability for parents and families to have access to their own child’s journal to view student posts as they happen.

 

Key Learning Areas

St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School utilises the Australian Curriculum which sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. It describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth and active participation in the Australian community. At St Anthony’s we have implemented the following Key Learning Areas :

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, HPE, the Arts (incorporating Music) and Languages.

Further areas such as; Cooking, Building and Construction, Occasional Care and Early Learning, are a large part of our learning programs. Our broad curriculum and high expectations of students encourages them to become lifelong learners. 

Religious Education

Religious Education invites students to examine the world of human culture and the world of religion, exploring a Catholic world view, fostering the search for meaning and truth, and making links to the Good News of Jesus. This religious dimension is given depth by the faith witness of staff through their presence, relationships and teaching.

Catholic schools view Religious Education as a core curriculum area. As well as being an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills, values, and dispositions. Religious Education in a Catholic school invites students into a deepening encounter with the living God.

Our Religious Education Programme, including Made in the Image of God (MITIOG), is based on the New  Crossways and MITIOG curriculum developed by Catholic Education SA. All children participate in daily prayer, grace before meals and end of day blessings.

English

At St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School English / Literacy is based on the Australian Curriculum and informed by the Whole School Literacy Agreement:

Through the engagement with English, we believe children:

  • Establish literacy through knowledge, skills and dispositions across multiple contexts
  • Can acquire the skills and dispositions to become literate
  • Must be provided with the opportunities to demonstrate their learning to a high standard
  • Progress through learning at an individual pace, and this is honoured in learning programs
  • Thrive in a co-constructed environment where self-efficacy, metacognition and student agency is nurtured.

Students engage in a minimum of two lessons per day, involving reading, viewing, writing, creating, and reflecting on texts. Reading and Writing Skills are developed through explicit instruction and Reviews. Further strategies include Modelled, Shared and Guided reading and writing.

English programs are supported by evidence based programs including: Seven Steps to Writing,  Bookmaking, the Early Years Home Reading Program and Jolly Phonics and Grammar.

Early Years Reading

St Anthony’s aims for all children to develop a love of books, reading and literature. Working in partnership with students and parents, every child participates in an independent home reading program tailored to meet their needs. Regular reading habits that promote agency and independence help children develop a strong identity as capable and competent lifelong learners. 

Mathematics

At St Anthony’s there is an emphasis on developing numeracy aptitude. Mathematics and Numeracy is a way of understanding the world. At St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School we encourage students to be confident in dealing with mathematical concepts through investigating, comparing and reflecting to solve problems. A strong emphasis is placed on problem solving activities and mental computations.

Science

Science uses three interrelated strands to expand children’s curiosity and willingness to explore, ask questions about the changing world in which they live. Science Understanding, Science as Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry Skills provide students with understanding, knowledge and skills through which they can develop a scientific view of the world.

Specialist Areas

St Anthony’s offers a variety of specialist subjects including:

  • Music – offered to students from R-6.
  • Science – R-3 students have one 50 minute Science lesson per week while 4-6 students have two 50 minute lessons, all in our newly built St Francis Learning Centre.
  • Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program – our Year 6 students take part in Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program once a fortnight for 1 and a half hours. Students participate in a holistic food education program. From the planting of the seed, harvesting, cooking and sharing.
  • Physical Education – a specialist area for R – 3 and taught by classroom teachers for Years 4-6.
  • Building and Construction Program – each class is timetabled to work in our Building and Construction room with their classroom teacher are supported by our education support officer.

Seesaw and Learning

St Anthony’s utilizes ‘Seesaw’ a digital portfolio to record and share what is happening in the classroom and at school. Seesaw provides teachers and students a space to document their learning. Each student has their own journal and teachers and students will add things to it such as photos, videos, drawings, notes and links over the course of their school day. Seesaw gives students the creative tools to capture and reflect on their learning – in real time. A valuable feature of Seesaw is the ability for parents and families to have access to their own child’s journal to view student posts as they happen.