Junior Classrooms
Junior Primary:
The Junior Primary classroom is a safe and welcoming place to learn, built through positive relationships. Our learning community comprises students from Reception to Year 3, with differentiated tasks catering for enriching, multi-level learning opportunities.
We promote a ‘Growth Mindset’, where students embrace learning challenges and can confidently work their way out of the ‘Learning Pit’. Through this, we aim to build responsible, respectful and resilient learners who achieve to their full potential.
Wellbeing:
The school’s BEAR values of Being Responsible, Excellence, Always Trying and Respect are the foundation of which classroom management is built. Positive behaviour and academic efforts are acknowledged and negative behaviours are managed using Restorative Practices. This preserves the integrity of the learning environment and all relationships (in line with the school’s Behaviour Management Policy).
Curriculum:
Our learning program is based on the Australian Curriculum, with a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy. Corresponding timetabling across classes allows for fluidity of students with additional learning needs in Literacy and Numeracy.
Our Literacy Block provides engagement for students in the areas of phonics knowledge, spelling, reading (decoding and comprehension) and genre writing, through programs such as Jolly Phonics and Grammar, our Literacy Loop (including Guided Reading) and the 7-Steps to Writing Success. We strengthen the learning of phonics through the utilization of decodable readers and the ‘Big Six’ components of reading are embedded throughout.
Our Mathematics block encourages problem solving with multiple entry points and pathways. Learning opportunities are based on the principles of the Natural Maths technique, where students are supported to develop multiple efficient strategies to problem solve.
Targeted Programs:
An advantage of our small class sizes is the quick identification and support of students with additional learning needs, with greater curriculum differentiation and modification of classroom practices achievable. Junior Primary students also have access to the MiniLit and MultiLit intervention program, provided by a trained School Support Officer, to provide intense phonics-based instruction to support increased reading and spelling knowledge.
Parent Communication:
Our class utilizes the Class Dojo App, where students are rewarded for positive behaviour and learning successes. Students are encouraged to share proud learning moments with home through photos on their Dojo Stories. This also paves the way for open communication between parents and teachers, through direct messaging and whole-class stories.
Our class also offers and twice termly newsletter to keep parents informed of our learning intentions, as well as providing strategies to support their child’s learning at home.
Assessment:
We believe in ‘Assessment for Learning’, with assessment being both formal and informal. Assessment is thus an on-going process that provides the teacher with valuable information to inform their practices, to further support each student to reach their potential. Learning experiences are designed to be relevant, engaging and challenging for all.
A range of assessment forms are utilized throughout the year to cater to different learning styles, including written tasks, testing, observations, teacher-student conversations, and peer assessment.
Student Learning Folios are also compiled throughout the year as a snapshot of their learning and can include testing, published writing and other work examples.
3-Way Parent-Teacher-Student interviews are held in Term 1 and 3, with Formal Written Reports sent home in Terms 2 and 4.
Transition:
From Kindergarten – Reception students come from a wide range of Kindergartens. When enrollments are confirmed, the teachers meet with the Kindy staff and visit the children in their setting to provide the children with a familiar face before formal transition visits to the school commence. Transition visits increase in duration over multiple visits in Term 4 before their beginning year.
From the Junior Class – Coinciding with the transition of Kindergarten students, the Year 3 students visit the Upper Primary class to familiarize themselves with the learning environment and expectations of their new class.
Above is only a brief overview of some of the exciting opportunities to experience in the Junior Primary class. If you would like any further information, or a tour of our school, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thank you,
Katrina Duits and Liz Young
Junior Primary Teachers
