Teaching & Learning

St John's Primary School Clifton Hill

Our students and their individual learning needs are at the heart of everything that we do at St John’s. Our classrooms are alive with quality teaching and strategic, needs-based learning. Our students are engaged, focused and secure in their personalised learning environments, where relationships are nurtured to ensure that every child embarks on their most rewarding academic journey, in safe and productive learning environments.

We teach every child from their point of need, supporting learning challenges and making authentic links to our local and community. It is our vision to see our students progress to secondary school with the appropriate tools for deep thinking and learning and with a solid understanding of themselves as a learner.

Faith

At St John's we are committed to connecting our faith, and the faiths of others, to our daily life and culture. Our vision celebrates our catholic identity and is based on the dignity of every person. We look to honour the values of respect and responsibility, courage and compassion, service and loyalty that lie at the heart of our community.

English

The teaching of literacy at St John’s is explicit, evidenced informed and research based. Our Preps begin their phonics learning through explicit teaching guided by the Jolly Phonics and THRASS program. This occurs daily and continues in a consistent, needs based approach until Year 2.

The Jolly Phonics (Prep to Year Two) is a thorough foundation for reading and writing. It is fun, kinesthetic, child centred approach to teaching literacy through synthetic phonics. With actions for each of the 42 letter sounds, the multi-sensory method is highly motivating and leads to high learning success.

SMART Spelling programs support our students with other language backgrounds in their reading and writing.

Mathematics

At St John’s we believe that key ideas are central to the learning of mathematics, as they link many Mathematical understandings in a whole. This supports our students to connect and relate ideas and strategies together.

We develop the students numeracy capabilities to deal confidently and competently with daily life. We encourage students to become self-motivated, confident learners through inquiry and active participation in challenging and engaging experiences.

Personalising Learning

At St John’s it is our role to empower learners by:

celebrating difference and
providing educational opportunities that eliminating discrimination
focused on growth and progress for all.

(Horizons of Hope - Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools)

At St. John’s we want every student to experience learning success.

Social Emotional Learning

Social and Emotional Learning is a core component of our weekly curriculum as we nurture and value the connection between social and emotional wellbeing and academic success. Student Wellbeing discussions form the basis of every Staff and Professional Team Meeting as we share a whole school understanding that in knowing the needs of our students, we can more effectively cater to their individual needs.

Languages - French

Our LOTE (Languages Other Than English) program is French. Our program is culturally immersive, aiming to teach our students basic French language skills whilst exploring the culture and history of France and celebrating important French events. Learning is experiential, hands on and engages many aspects of the curriculum - for example, The Arts, History and Geography.

The Arts - Visual Art

At St John’s the Visual Arts program is embedded in our Inquiry Curriculum across all strands. The Arts forms an integral and valuable part of student learning and responding at all levels, and across all areas of learning.

Our students develop their visual art language around artistic elements such as; line, shape, colour and texture to enhance their own awareness of art creation and appreciation.

Science

Learning is centered around Biological, Chemical, Earth, Space and Physical Science, underpinned by critical and creative thinking skills. Scientific learning opportunities provide our students with understanding, knowledge and skills which aims to inform their scientific views of the world.

DigiTech

Digital Technology enables students to become confident, creative and respectful developers of digital solutions through the application of information systems and specific ways of thinking about problem solving. Students acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems, data and information and the processes associated with creating digital solutions so they can take up an active role in meeting current and future needs.

Physical Education & Health

At St John’s, our students participate in a twice weekly Physical Education classes; one with a specialist Physical Education teacher and one with their individual classroom teacher. Our Preps & Year 1 students also participate in weekly PMP (Perceputal Motor Program) improve their eye/hand and eye/foot coordination, fitness, balance, locomotion and eye-tracking skills.

District & Interschool Sports

At St John's students in Years 5 and 6 participate in Interschool Sports as part of the Carlton District School Sports Association. The program runs throughout Terms 2 and 4 on a weekly basis allowing students to practise the skills for a range of different sports .