Curriculum

CURRICULUM

The curriculum at Fairhills PS is based on the Victorian Essential learning Standards (VELS) which are the broad state-wide guidelines.

 

 

 

 

Strategic Plan 2009 – 2012

Fairhills PS commenced a new Strategic Plan this year. An outline of this plan is as follows -

Goals
Student Learning	To improve student achievement in English and Mathematics with a particular focus on writing and measurement, chance and data, p-6.
Student Engagement and Wellbeing	To improve student connectedness  and engagement
Student Pathways and Transitions	To improve student transitions across the school.

 

Key Improvement strategies

1. Create a cohesive and comprehensive whole school approach to student learning linking learning, teaching and assessment. 2. Build teacher capacity through firmly establishing a culture of ongoing focused professional learning 3. Build and monitor learning pathways and transitions for all learners 4. Embed a whole school approach to student wellbeing with a focus on prevention 5. Maximise the potential of ICT for enhanced student engagement

 

 

Student Learning

Fairhills PS recognises that students demonstrate a variety of learning styles and seeks to ensure the needs of all students are met by presenting learning tasks in a variety of ways to ensure they are engaged with their learning and highly motivated to succeed. 

Homework

Homework is regularly set to reinforce learning that has occurred during class time. Fairhills PS has been developing homework grids that offer students a choice of tasks that can be undertaken which helps to engage those with different learning styles. This has proved very popular with both students and parents and resulted in improved learning outcomes. The class teachers have been trialling alternative approaches to homework to ensure it supports the classroom programs in a more meaningful way and allows students to develop their independence in completing homework. They also have the opportunity to develop both their preferred and non-preferred learning styles. Students are presented with homework grids that offer a range of tasks and enable them to improve their skills not just academically but also socially and emotionally. Homework is generally undertaken with great enthusiasm at Fairhills.

ICT (Information & Communication Technology)

A fully equipped computer laboratory, classroom computers and an Interactive Whiteboard, ensure students are kept abreast of new learning technologies. Students are able to participate in a variety of on-line learning projects to challenge them and enhance their understanding of their role in a global learning community.

Whole school spelling program

This year two teachers have been granted teacher professional leave to revise and develop a whole school spelling program. This will enable a more systematic approach to the teaching of spelling across the school.

Literacy block

Literacy skill development is a priority at Fairhills. All grades follow the Early Years model of an hour of Reading and an hour of Writing each day. Reading Recovery is available to students who are struggling with their reading in year 1.

Maths

The Maths program has a strong emphasis on a ‘hands on’, activity based approach where students learn by doing using concrete materials. This assists in developing a positive attitude to Maths and the effectiveness of this approach is reflected in the excellent results that are achieved in relation to state benchmarks.

Integrated units

This year, the integrated units have been revised to include topics that will be even more engaging for students through the use of ICT and the Thinking Curriculum.

Thinking skills

A strong focus at Fairhills is on teaching students processes for effective learning through the use of thinking skills. Students are exposed to a variety of thinking tools including De Bono’s thinking hats, The Thinkers’ Keys, Graphic organisers. Classroom teachers also incorporate the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning into their planning to challenge and extend all students.

Portfolios

All students have individual portfolios that go home at the end of each term. Parents are able to give their children written feedback on progress made during the term and students are asked to reflect on their learning and goals that have been achieved. Year 3 and 4 students and their teachers are currently trialling digital portfolios.

ILPs

Individual Learning Plans have been introduced for all students who are above or below the indicative level in either English or Maths. This enables talented students to be challenged and extended and others who are struggling to be given additional support.

 

STAV science school of excellence

Fairhills Primary School enjoys a strong partnership with Deakin University. Each year, a group of Deakin students visit Fairhills to undertake a special science education unit of work delivered over four sessions. In 2008, the partnership enabled selected talented students to be involved in the STAV Science/Drama competition. The project involved students presenting their understanding of a science concept through Drama. Fairhills  were successful in winning the Archimedes award for Outstanding Performance by a Primary School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialist Programs

Physical Education

Fairhills PS has a strong commitment to the notion of ‘a healthy body, a healthy mind’ All grades have at least one lesson per week with the Physical Education specialist. An active sports program compliments the Physical Education program with Bike Education being offered to students in Years 4 to 6. Fairhills PS is also involved in inter school Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country as well as a variety of specialised clinics. A Twilight Sports night is held in term 1 and is organised by the year 6 student leaders.

Visual Arts

All students have one lesson per week with a specialist Art teacher and are exposed to a wide range of techniques and mediums to develop their creative abilities.

Music

A Music specialist delivers one lesson per week to each grade P-6. Specialist marimba groups, a choir and music therapy is available. Students can also learn to play the recorder. Fairhills PS has a bi-annual concert in which all students P-6 are involved.

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)/Library

Fairhills has a well stocked library, a separate computer laboratory with new computers networked to those in classrooms and Interactive Whiteboards This allow a specialist teacher, complimented by classroom programs to develop all the skills students require to take their place in a technological world.

Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.)

The L.O.T.E. taught at Fairhills PS is German.

 

Other Special programs

Bike Education

All students in Years 4 to 6 undertake Bike Education. Students in years 5 and 6 participate in the on-road component and undertake their instruction under the guidance of teachers with special Bike education training. Year 6 students who successfully complete their training participate in a bike hike to Jells Park.

Camping program

Students in Year 3 participate in a three day camp at Monbulk and Year 5 students visit Forest Lodge in South Gippsland for a four day camp. Both camps have an outdoor education focus.

Swimming

All Year levels are involved in swimming programs at local venues. The Years 1 and 2 program is conducted in term 1 and the other year levels are held in term 4.