At St Joseph's School, our motivated, professional staff are committed to providing our community of learners with a curriculum that promotes both a broad knowledge base and the skills of thinking within a challenging, supportive and technology rich environment which develops individuals as both independent and collaborative learners. In line with the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (2019), we promote equity and excellence and aim for all young Australians to become successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens.
The Australian Curriculum focuses on learning area content and achievement standards that describe what students will learn and teachers will teach. It also gives attention to seven general capabilities that are important for life and work in the 21st century.
Students at St. Joseph's School engage in a diverse range of meaningful and challenging learning experiences with a focus on literacy and numeracy skills across all learning areas of the Australian Curriculum including:
English:
The study of English is central to the learning and development of all students. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate with and build relationships with others and with the world around them. The study of English helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, thoughtful, informed and active members of society.
Guided by current research and best practice, learning in English is based around short-term learning cycles which use a focus text to develop reading and writing skills in context.
Mathematics:
Mathematics provides students with essential mathematical skills and knowledge. It develops the numeracy capabilities that all students need in their personal, work and civic life, and provides the fundamentals on which mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics are built.
The Mathematics curriculum is organised around the interaction of three Content Strands which describe what will be learnt and taught (Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability), and four Proficiency Strands (Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, Reasoning) which are the “thinking and doing" of mathematics.
At St. Joseph's School we have an emerging focus on developing Numeracy skills through our contemporary teaching of Mathematical fluency, problem-solving and reasoning.
Religious Education:
At St Joseph's School there are two distinct dimensions to Religious Education; there is the classroom teaching of the learning area, Religion and there is the faith development that is supported through the Religious Life of the School. These two dimensions complement each other.
The teaching of Religion at St Joseph's School is structured through the use of the Religion Curriculum P-12, Archdiocese of Brisbane. Teachers use a range of strategies and resources to engage the students with the content of the curriculum. Catholic schools have extra time allocated for the teaching of Religion - an earlier start to our school days creates this additional teaching time.
The Religious Life of St Joseph's School teaches the students how to be religious in the Catholic Christian tradition and it supports faith development through a range of regular practices including daily classroom prayer, prayer assemblies and liturgical celebrations. The Religious Life of St Joseph's School is also evident in our school Vision and Mission Statements, the school prayer and most importantly our relationships.
More information about Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Brisbane can be found on the Catholic Identity website .
Science:
Science provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of important science concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, of science's contribution to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives. The curriculum supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues and to participate, if they so wish, in science-related careers.
The Science curriculum consists of three interrelated strands (Science Understanding, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry Skills) which provide students with understanding, knowledge and skills through which they can develop a scientific view of the world. Students are challenged to explore science, its concepts, nature and uses through clearly described inquiry processes.
Humanities and Social Sciences: (Prep to Year 6: History and Geography, Years 3-6: Civics and Citizenship)
In a world that is increasingly culturally diverse and dynamically interconnected, it is important that students come to understand their world, past and present, and develop a capacity to respond to challenges, now and in the future, in innovative, informed, personal and collective ways.
The Australian Curriculum for the Humanities and Social Sciences plays an important role in harnessing students' curiosity and imagination about the world they live in and empowers them to actively shape their lives; make reflective, informed decisions; value their belonging in a diverse and dynamic society; and positively contribute locally, nationally, regionally and globally.
Thinking about and responding to issues requires an understanding of different perspectives; the key historical, geographical, political, economic and societal factors involved; and how these different factors interrelate.
Health and Physical Education/Sport:
The aim of our school is to promote participation, enjoyment and skill development rather than competition and “playing to win". All children are encouraged to participate, regardless of ability and we focus on each child performing at their best whilst attempting to maximise potential in a fun and flexible environment.
Sporting Clinics: In addition to regular classroom lessons, students regularly participate in a variety of sporting clinics presented by qualified instructors. Some of these clinics may include sports such as: gymnastics, tennis, touch football, golf, cricket, soccer, AFL, Rugby League, hockey, netball etc.
All students from Prep – 6 participate in swimming lessons during Term 4.
Sports Carnivals: Our annual inter-house carnivals include a Swimming Carnival, Cross-Country and Athletics Carnival. Students who perform well at these carnivals have the opportunity to represent our school at the district carnival, and may also progress further to regional and/or state representation.
District Sports: Students have the opportunity to be selected in a variety of district sporting teams including basketball, tennis, hockey, cricket, netball, touch football etc.
Tennis: A qualified and experienced local tennis instructor visits our school each Thursday and conducts small group private lessons for interested students.
The Arts:
Children in all year levels participate in activities exploring both the VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS which encompasses Visual Art, Music, Dance and Drama. Our specialist ARTS teacher works with each class weekly. Each term has a different focus strand of the QSA ARTS Syllabus so that all year levels have opportunities to explore and achieve in Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama throughout the year.
Piano Teacher: A qualified and experienced Piano teacher travels from Bundaberg each week to provide piano lessons for interested students, either individually or in a group situation.
Languages (Chinese):
Learning to communicate in two or more languages is a rich, challenging experience. It enables participation in the linguistic and cultural diversity of our interconnected world.
In recent years, our students have participated in weekly Chinese lessons via video-link with Chinese teachers in Beijing. The program consists of a combination of Chinese language and culture. The focus is on communication, so lessons are based on speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing, while becoming aware of the customs, traditions and celebrations of the Chinese people.
Technologies:
STEM: All students in Prep to Year 6 participate in weekly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) lessons. STEM education enables students to develop solutions to complex problems and provides them with the knowledge, understanding, skills and capabilities that will help them succeed in a world of technological change. These lessons develop problem-solving and reasoning skills through an integrated approach to a variety of concepts and may include topics such as robotics, science challenges and real-world challenges.
Information and Communication Technology: At St Joseph's, we provide opportunities for students to engage with new technologies including notebook computers, iPads and many online tools. Learning to use different technologies is not an end in itself but is a vehicle for learning in our contemporary world.
All students have access to up-to-date devices which are regularly renewed. Students in Years 3 to 6 are allocated an individual laptop for use at school and also have access to shared iPads as required. Students in Prep to Year 2 have access to shared iPads. All classrooms are set up with Apple TV.