Farrer Primary School

Our Programs

Quality Teaching and Learning

Our Learning Platform underpins the work of teachers at Farrer Primary School.  The following series of statements defines the school's most significant beliefs about quality learning.

Learning Platform

  • All students can be successful learners
  • All students bring diverse resources, needs and experiences to school
  • All students are at different points on the learning continuum and every student is entitled to a learning experience that meets their needs
  • Learning experiences are relevant to our students and our society
  • Intellectual quality is necessary in all learning experiences to support and engage all students

Curriculum Scope and Organisation

Our core business at Farrer is to develop academically, socially, emotionally and enviornmentally literate students.  Our curriculum encompasses learning in the areas of:

Each extensive integrated learning experience is designated and described using Big Understandings, specific concepts and key questions to ensure continuity and integrity of the programs.  They are developed to match particular stages, and are documented on the Farrer Primary School Curriculum Map. 

Designing Learning Experiences

Teachers collaborate within each stage to use the Learning by Design Framework ot plan, select and sequence learning experiences.  This framework moves students through a deliberate process where knowledge is extended, challenged, applied and refined. 

Learning by Design Framework

  • Experiencing the known and the new
  • Conceptualising by naming concepts and theorising
  • Analysing interests and functions
  • Applying appropriately and creatively

Teachers evaluate the design of their programs in how they align with the beliefs of our Learning Platform.

 

Literacy and Numeracy

Wherever possible, Literacy and Numeracy skills are developed within the authentic context of the integrated inquiry.  Skills and understandings in these areas are taught explicitly and monitored using the First Steps Map of Development and Count Me In Too practices.

                               Literacy Statement                                                  Numeracy Statement

 

Heritage

This area develops understandings drawn from the questions, how do people use artistic media to express themselves?  How have people and events of the past shaped our identity as individuals and a nation?  Through integrated inquiry in this area students:

  • recognise the significance of events in historical and social contexts
  • appreciate the existence of and relationships between different cultures
  • use a range of media for artistic and creative expression

 

Civics and Citizenship

This area develops understandings drawn from the questions, who am I?  How do I apply my understanding of rights and responsibilities in communities, cultures and economies?  Through integrated inquiry in this area students:

  • maintain health and care of oneself
  • collaborate with peers and others
  • develop enterprise and prepare for new worlds of work
  • interact with local and global communities
  • understand local and global economic forces
  • understand the historical foundations of social movements and civic institutions including tiers of government

 

Environments and Technology

This area develops understandings drawn from the question, how do I describe, analyse and shape the world around me?  Through integrated inquiry in this area students:

  • develop their scientific understanding about the world
  • work with design and engineering technologies
  • build and sustain environments

As Farrer Primary is a leading Lighthouse Waste Wise School students are also exposed to explicit environmental skills through our Environment Centre.

 

Japanese

Wherever possible, Japanese language skills and cultural understandings are developed within the authentic context of our integrated unquiry.  Skills and understandings are taught explicitly and monitored by the Japanese teacher.  Click here for more information about our Japanese program.

 

Physical Education and Sport

Physical Education and Sport stands alone from integrated curriculum delivery and is monitored by classroom teachers.  Our Physical Education practices include gross motor programs, Bluearth activities, core skill delivery and group sporting activities.