Learning

English

Reading, writing and speaking and listening are all linked, as in real life. Purposeful activities and explicit teaching are carried out at all levels requiring children to write and to talk about actual experiences and imaginative adventures. Over recent years, we have been very successful at implementing best-practice Early Years Literacy strategies—reading, writing, speaking and listening—throughout all year levels through a 2 hour literacy block each day. We pride ourselves on our ability to teach its students to read, understand, appreciate and communicate!

Writing
When writing, children are encouraged to try to use new words to extend their vocabulary; and so at the first-copy stage, less importance is placed on spelling. However, the significance of correct spelling for the final copy is emphasised. The school has adopted formal writing and spelling programs such as SMART SPELLING, which is supported by THRASS principles (Teaching of Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Strategies) and Words Their Way (Grade 5-6 explicit spelling program). This has improved the continuity of writing and spelling programs. The school has also developed a plan for the explicit teaching of different and increasingly-complex writing styles (genre) to the students. Writer’s Notebook, VCOP (Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation) – Cold Write and Big Write ar e incor por ated thr oughout the school.

Reading
In junior grades (Prep to 3), children read sequential readers, large and small picture- story books and a variety of other materials. Through consistent daily practice, students are assisted to develop a love of reading, a knowledge of phonics [alphabet and sounds], an ever-expanding sight vocabulary and most importantly, comprehension skills. They learn to identify and use word families and to gain meaning from words by reading them in context. Buddy reading programs also operate on a weekly basis with the Prep/1 and Grade 5/6 classes. Students participate in SQUIRT, shared reading and partner reading.

In the upper school (Years 4 to 6), reading should be mostly independent, but some children still need to be taught specific decoding and comprehension skills. At this level, students learn to read critically and appreciatively by reading books from a variety of sources.

At least once a week, children at all levels work with a teacher for a session of Guided Reading. During this structured reading session, a small group of children read the same text, discusses its contents and also their reading strategies. Teacher-guided discussion develops and assesses each child’s level of understanding of the text.

A library program operates where students are able to browse and borrow books from our extensive collection of books. Naturally, children are encouraged to love and enjoy good books, and to read for recreation and information.
Language intervention and extension programs are also run by specialist teachers and teacher aides such as reading, speech and oral language programs.

Speaking and Listening
Students from Prep to Grade 6 are explicitly taught how to speak in front of a group and audience. This may include Show n Tell and formal speaking activities such as the Lions Club public speaking competition (Grades 3-6).

Indonesian

We provide the opportunity for all students to learn about the Indonesian language and culture. A specialist teaches Indonesian to Preps – Grade 6 and infor mal lessons are taken by class teachers. Additionally, children in each classroom are encouraged to practise basic Indonesian language—names of days and months, greetings, counting numbers and common objects—and in doing so, assist the integration of the language throughout the school and community.

Art

Students are involved in creating wondrous works of visual art with a wide range of 2 and 3 dimensional materials with an art specialist teacher. They are encouraged to express themselves and appreciate the beauty of form, shape and colour. A well-stocked art room and activities within the school’s Integrated Curriculum Plan support this program. Students, from an early age, are also taught how to create and manipulate art works using digital technologies.

Music

The school runs a specialist music program to encourage the creation and appreciation of music. Forms and structures, rhythms, dancing, singing, and percussion instruments are all part of the enjoyable program. The children are encouraged to participate in various performances e.g. singing Club, Rhythm and Voice Workshops, Carols by Candlelight, Northaven activities etc. as well as the school’s weekly assemblies. At times, a volunteer also runs extra singing classes once a week in the junior school. In 2020, KSPS received a $6500 to purchase new instruments and work with the Song Room and also a $1500 class set of African drums after staff completed the training for African Drumming. This is beneficial for developing social skills, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, and it also assists with many cognitive and emotional needs. It is a wonderful stress reliever and a means of improving confidence and self-esteem. Drumming is also therapeutic.

HUMANITIES, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ICT

This year, all grades are using the Mappen integrated studies program. These engaging units of work cover all areas of the curriculum with the exception of explicit numeracy and literacy. This sequentially-planned seven-year program ensures that each child experiences a broad range of learning experiences especially around the Victorian Curriculum outcomes in History, Geography, Economics (Gr. 5 & 6), Technology, Science and the capabilities (Ethical, Personal & Social, Intercultural, Critical & Creative Thinking). The aim is to help children understand themselves, understand society and their world, and know how they can participate effectively in a democratic society. It is inquiry based and seeks to develop broad understandings about the world that we live in. Teaching focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, thinking tools, values and actions.

Science

We have a specialist Science teacher at Kerang South, who trained through the Department’s Primary Maths Science School program. Our school was selected as a Primary Maths Science School some years ago and 2 of our current teachers trained with and led this program. All grades from Prep – 6 follow the Victorian Curriculum and Mappen for Science and every grade has specialist Science every week.

During National Science Week, all grades also participate in many other exciting and fun science experiments.

Promoting curiosity is a strong focus at Kerang South and is part of our school’s vision.

Computers, iPads & Digital Technologies

Computers, iPads & Digital Technologies
Computers and iPads are used extensively across the school to complement and enhance, not replace, explicit teaching by staff. The school has over 150 computers, laptops, netbooks and iPads accessible to its students, 26 of which are located in the one room and the remainder distributed across the classrooms. In addition to this, each Grade 3-6 student has their own iPad for school and home use. All the computers are networked and connected to laser printers and selected Internet resources. Students use the computers for a variety of purposes such as word processing, multimedia presentations, problem solving, data gathering, keyboarding skills, spread sheet analysis and desktop publishing. Teachers use computers for teaching and administrative purposes. Each child has his or her own Mathletics, Essential
Assessment and Reading Eggs accounts (Raz Kids, Literacy Planet, Seesaw) and the ability to access a moderated suite of Internet resources. The use of both of these facilities is stringently controlled.

The school plans to replace its computers every three years. Students must sign a responsible user agreement at the start of the year. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards.

As a Primary Maths Science Specialist school (2016-17), Kerang South has a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) from Prep-6 and has embraced the new Victorian Curriculum subject, Digital Technologies, which also includes coding.

Better Buddies School

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies Framework is an initiative designed to create friendly and caring primary school communities where bullying is reduced. Each Prep is paired with an older child in Years 5 and 6 who, as a buddy from the first day of school, cares for the child and helps with any adjustment to school life. Each pair engages in regular pre-planned activities. Students in other grades are also buddied up and engage in buddy activities once or twice a term.

Teacher Buddies

As a part of our wellbeing program in the school, all students have been assigned to a teacher buddy (a teacher other than their class teacher). Several times a term, the buddy teacher has a special lunch with their buddies and also regularly checks in with their student buddies to make sure that everything in the yard and classroom is going well following up with any issues arising. Regular notes are kept to track each student’s wellbeing and engagement.