Barrack Heights Public School

Curriculum - What children learn?

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English Mathematics Creative & Practical Arts HSIE Science Visual Arts PD, Health & PE Library Technology Sport Child Protection General Religious & Moral Education Scripture Student Welfare Excursions Performances & Assemblies A.S.S.P.A.

English For all students, it is important to find ways of providing literacy instruction to get their reading, writing, talking & listening underway quickly & successfully. Intervention occurs during early learning in the first year of school. Procedures are in place to identify students in need of additional assistance. Extra teachers are provided to support this early intervention program. The content and strategies used are outcomes based. The students receive intensive instruction & practice on a daily basis. A Home Reading program is in operation & parents are informed of the different ways in which they can help with this at home. Mathematics The mathematics program within our school is based on the Mathematics K-6 document which was released to all NSW schools at the end of 1989 (revised 1998). The emphasis is on providing children with challenging real-to-life problem solving activities using mathematical games & materials. One of our aims is to create favourable attitudes & stimulate interest in mathematics. Mathematics is organised into 4 strands: Space, Measurement, Number & Working Mathematically.

Human Society and its Environment (Social Studies)

HSIE is the key learning area in which students develop knowledge, understandings, skills, and values and attitudes about people and their social & physical environments.

The outcomes & content for all grades are organised in four strands:-

Science

The school's science policy aims to provide all children with opportunities to investigate the following areas:

* built environment

* information & communication

* living things

* physical phenomena

* products & services

* the earth & its surroundings

It is hoped that the children will learn in an enjoyable, meaningful way about themselves & their world. This will be done using firsthand experiences which will give children an enriched view of themselves, the environment & the future.

Technology

The school's computer technology plan aims to support all areas of the school's curriculum. Each class has a minimum of one Apple computer & a shared printer for classroom use.

All computers in the school are fully networked.

Students have access to a wide range of programs including word processing, mathematics, problem solving, databases & real-life simulation. Parents are welcome to view our computer resources if they make an appointment through the school office.

B.H.P.S. has an Apple computer lab where students are able to work as a whole class on the latest technology.

We also have a bank of computers (Apple & PC) in the library which enable students to find & use information from CDROMs & the Internet.

Our school office & library information centre are both fully computerised. In the library, all students use computers to select, locate & borrow resources.

Creative and Practical Arts

Music Education provides an opportunity for children to understand, participate & appreciate different types of music. The music program involves children in the activity areas of listening, singing, playing, moving & organising sound. Children are given opportunities to perform in assemblies, choir & instrumental groups.

Visiting performances also provide stimulus in this area. Children in Yrs K-6 (2 sessions) attend the Musica Viva program which provides a high standard of music education by top Australian musicians. Children in K-2 have a Sing-a-long every week.

Through Drama and role-playing the child learns to express and communicate ideas and feelings. Through the development of performance skills the child gains self confidence and self esteem.

Visual Arts

In Visual Arts and Craft, the natural abilities of the children flourish when they are given the opportunity to take part in creative activities.

Children learn techniques of composition, design & construction in artwork; while in craft they are involved in activities such as weaving, sewing, pottery, string design & paper constructions to name a few.

All these activities help the child to think creatively & make decisions.

Personal Development, Health & Physical Education

Each grade follows a program for Personal Development suitable to the needs of the children. This includes special visits by the "Life Education Van" where lessons are taught by a trained professional.

Health studies, which include nutrition and good health habits, are taught in all grades.

All classes have Physical Education lessons each week. The lessons include fitness, gymnastics, game skills, games & dance.

Child Protection

The program helps children develop skills & understanding which will enable them to deal with sexual assault situations.

The program is positive & preventative - designed to assist children to appreciate normal relationships & identify possible assault situations.

If you wish to know more about the Child Protection Program, please contact your child's teacher.

General Religious and Moral Education

While public schools do not promote any particular religious belief, they do recognise the importance of religion as a basis for fostering ethical standards, social responsibility & moral values in their students. The Department of Education & Training provide the time & venue and the religious groups & the community provide the teachers & the curriculum.

Teachers also help students develop their capacity for moral reasoning & judgment by recognising the values which are operating in their daily relationships & in the social issues which confront our nation.

Scripture

Scripture classes are held at the school every Wednesday from 9:00-9:40am.

Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness (A.S.S.P.A.)

This committee meets on the second Monday of each term.

The members support the Aboriginal Policy throughout the school & provide resources to supplement this policy.