Learning

Foundation

Starting school is a giant milestone in every child’s life. At Fawkner Primary School we aim to create an inclusive and enjoyable classroom to help students with their learning and development. It is our goal to provide a learning environment that will motivate, challenge and support students in their journey to be lifelong learners. To assist with the move from Kindergarten to Foundation, we run a transition program in the lead-up to starting school.

Foundation students transition to attending school from 9:00-3:30. We focus on routines, expectations and relationships. Foundation students learn about letters and sounds through the Little Learners Love Literacy program and practice counting and number recognition and develop their problem-solving skills during Numeracy sessions. We provide adjustments for all learning abilities and pride ourselves on being inclusive and engaging.

Grade 1/2

Grade 1/2 is a wonderful year for all our students. They are supported to challenge themselves and are provided many opportunities to become independent learners.
Students have the opportunity to work independently, with a partner and within groups during our engaging Literacy and Numeracy sessions.

During Literacy sessions, students have the opportunity to read books that help them develop their comprehension skills during Guided Reading sessions. In our Writing sessions, we investigate different styles such as narrative, poetry, information reports and procedural texts.

During Numeracy, explicit instruction is used in the classroom when learning new skills. Students are also encouraged to develop their problem-solving skills by participating in a wide range of open-ended questions. Some other wonderful learning opportunities for our 1/2 students are Integrated Studies, Wellbeing and Library.

Grade 3/4

In the Middle Years, we challenge students to become independent learners through a variety of learning styles. Students work in the whole class, in small groups, in partnerships and individually to complete tasks.

Our daily structure includes a two-hour Literacy block where our students develop their understanding of Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening, a Numeracy block that includes learning about numbers and applied topics through explicit teaching and problem-based tasks. Students are involved in an Integrated Topic unit based where they investigate and research contemporary topics.

Selected students participate in ‘Animal Assisted Therapy’ (Canine Comprehension), where a therapy dog comes to school and improves students’ social skills and emotional development.

Grade 5/6

Grade 5/6 operates with three teachers who are committed to the learning of all students. The Grade 5/6 Program is based on the Victorian curriculum, a set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship.

Students participate in sustained reading daily and are grouped according to their needs. Teachers plan and track the progress of students throughout the year whereby students may move within these groups when necessary. In Writing, students produce narratives, information reports, persuasive texts and various forms of poetry. Students are also encouraged to develop their Speaking and Listening skills throughout the year with class presentations. Lessons in Maths involve teaching the proficiencies of understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning which are fundamental to working mathematically.

Students are provided a range of leadership opportunities, including participating in the National Young Leaders Day, Junior School Council meetings and the possibility of becoming our School Captains.