Learning and Teaching
St Luke's Primary School Wantirna
At St Luke's we are educating students for the future so that they can be adults that are productive and fulfilling members of our community. To fully engage students we believe the learning and teaching programs should be rich and meaningful to all learners. To this end, it is designed to reflect and indeed begin with each student's interests and passions.
The learning and teaching programs are designed to consider the skills and attitudes that will be required for each learner into the future. Our programs are built on the strengths of each student. We achieve this by knowing each student, where they are on the learning continuum and what they need to learn to progress. Our programs support students to meet new challenges and encourage students to strive for excellence.
The learning and teaching program at St Luke's is designed to be dynamic around the framework of the Victorian Curriculum. It constantly evolves to cater for all learning needs. At St Luke's the focus is on Religious Educational, English, Mathematics, The Arts, Health and Physical Education and the Personal and Social capabilities. Other areas of the curriculum are explored through an inquiry based approach.
We believe in providing as many opportunities as possible for students to communicate, collaborate and create to enhance their learning experiences. The integration of technology through a 1 to 1 Chromebook program from Prep to Year 6 into our learning and teaching programs enables students to utilise tools to enhance their learning, collaborate with others, be creative and develop ICT skills.
Education in Faith
We create through prayer an atmosphere where each student can “be” with God, talk to Him about everyday things and grow in their relationship with God. By developing their relationship with God, our students are encouraged to grow in a sense of their own worth which will, in time, lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
At St Luke’s the Religious Education curriculum is based on the Religious Education Curriculum Framework and this sits within the context of the Education Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Horizons of Hope. St Luke’s is continuing to build and strengthen the use of a dialogical approach, which enables students to encounter God in Christ and deepen their relationship with him, pursue wisdom and truth, encouraged by a supportive academic culture and grow in the practice of virtue, responsible freedom and serving the common good.
At St Luke's, we encourage the children to engage in Social Justice actions. Our Year 6 Social Justice team lead the school in a variety of awareness and fundraising activities to support organisations with a focus on justice and social inclusion such as Caritas Australia, St Vincent De Paul Society Victoria, Breast Cancer Awareness and Royal Children's Hospital appeal.
Mini Vinnies
St Luke's is proud of our involvement in the Mini Vinnies program. Our Mini Vinnies students meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society community.
Our Mini Vinnies students have many ongoing projects.
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Blanket making for those in need
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The 'meal train' that provides home-cooked meals for those in need
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Fundraising for various charities
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St Luke's 'Kids' Op Shop
English
Literacy is the key to accessing learning and achieving success in all areas of the curriculum and in everyday life. The ability to speak, listen, read, view and write with confidence, purpose and enjoyment, permeates in all aspects of the curriculum and is integral to expressing feelings, solving problems and enriching personal relationships.
At St Luke's the English curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum and students will study a sequential course targeting the learning needs of each child.
English in the Junior School
Prep to Year 2 is regarded as the foundation years for developing English skills. The students are involved in daily reading, writing and speaking & listening lessons where skills in these three modes of English are explicitly taught.
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English in the Middle and Senior School
In Years 3 to 6 English skills continue to be developed through structured lessons and the students apply their skills in their Inquiry Learning. Within the inquiry process, a multi-literacies approach is adopted which develops English skills in a meaningful context.
Mathematics
At St Luke's, the Mathematics program promotes an understanding of Number, Measurement, Geometry, Statistics and Probability to enable students to confidently and competently engage in the world around them. The students will study a sequential Mathematics course based in the Victorian Curriculum.
Our aims for the teaching and learning of Mathematics are founded on a belief that ALL students should enjoy access to a high quality Mathematics curriculum that will:
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involve students in a positive experience that will instil an appreciation of Mathematics as well as develop a sense of achievement
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enable mathematical connections to be explored, discovered and communicated
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develop abstract and critical thinking, and the ability for students to reflect critically upon their work and the work of others
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enable each student to achieve their fullest potential, building on previous experiences
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provide opportunities to apply mathematical learning in everyday situations
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enable students to calculate accurately and efficiently, both mentally and written, drawing on a range of calculation strategies
Learning Adjustments
Class programs are devised to cater for individual needs in the classroom. Students’ individual abilities are measured by a rigorous and comprehensive assessment schedule which is used to inform classroom-teaching practice. Students are grouped according to their ability and are supported and extended within the classroom.
There are a range of support programs to meet the needs of individual students.
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In the classroom - through whole/small group teaching & PLP's (Personalised Learning Plans)
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LLI (Leveled Literacy Intervention)
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Learning Support Staff assistance
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ERIK
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EAL Program
Additional assistance or extension is provided within the classroom to all students through focused teaching and open-ended tasks.
English as an Additional Language
The New Arrivals and Recent Arrivals program supports students and their families whose first language is not English, who have Refugee or Migrant status and who are eligible for funding from the Australian Government via the Catholic Education Office.
We currently have a number of students whose first language is not English. These students are supported in the classroom via our EAL teacher and Learning Support Officers. One of our Learning Support Officers speaks fluent Mandarin and is able to communicate with our Mandarin speaking students and their families.
Currently, we have students who speak Mandarin, Indonesian and Arabic.
Inquiry
Through a model of Inquiry based on Rich Concepts and Understandings, students develop a range of strategies and tools empowering them to discover, inquire and apply their understandings to the world and how it works. Inquiry based learning caters for a diverse range of students’ learning styles and involves students in decision making about their own learning. Experiences are designed to promote students’ capacities to manage themselves as learners, social beings and active citizens. At St Luke’s the Inquiry Cycle is a 2 year program that incorporates:
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History
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Geography
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Science
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Civics and Citizenship
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Economics and Business
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Critical and Creative Thinking
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Ethical and Intercultural Capabilities
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Design and Digital Technologies
We utilise the Horizons of Hope Learning schema where reverence for the sacred dignity of each learner provides a foundation for pedagogy. Through pedagogical choices our educators seek to develop deep learning, powerful teaching and to create animated learners who are inspired by the Holy Spirit to act for justice and strive for the common good. (Horizons of Hope: Pedagogy in a Catholic school, p.2 & 6)
Physical Education
Physical Education at St Luke's focuses on movement, fitness, safety and health and places emphasis upon cooperation and sportsmanship. The students receive instructions and learn specific skills through individual activities, team games, movement activities, fitness fun, ball handling and motor skills and dance. There is a significant focus on motor skills, individual and team concepts as well as social development.
Students can participate in a range of inter school sports including softball, volleyball, basketball, football, soccer, netball, tennis and cricket. Our school also participates in District and Division events that include Cross Country, athletics and swimming.
St Luke’s holds a Twilight Sports Carnival for students from Prep to Year 6 that consists of novelty events as well as traditional athletic track and field events. This night is an example of Physical Education bringing our school community together and is a great deal of fun.
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Our Prep students participate in PMP (Perceptual Motor Program). This program assists the development of the child and their relationship with their peers and the surrounding environment. It aids concentration and reasoning and gives a sound basis for future formal learning. PMP enhances brain development by stimulating the five senses through movement.
Students also have the opportunity to complete a two week intensive swimming program at Aquanation.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts is a valued program at St Luke's as a way of expressing creativity through dance, singing, acting and performing. Throughout the program, students develop their knowledge of several areas of music including listening and analysis, composition, performance, basic keyboard and percussion skills, and note reading. Biennially, students are involved in a whole school production that provides them with the opportunity to showcase their talent. 2020 is a School Production Year.
Past Whole School Production Trailers
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When I Grow Up - 2013
It's a Jungle Out There - 2016
Indonesian
Learning languages in addition to English extends students' literacy repertoires and their capacity to communicate. It strengthens students’ understanding of the nature of language, culture, and the processes of communication.
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broadens students’ understanding that each language is an integrated, evolving system for the framing and communication of meaning; and encourages understanding of the role of language as an expression of cultural and personal identity and a shaper of perspectives
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contributes to the overall curriculum intent by providing distinctive real-life and intellectual opportunities for students to expand their engagement with the wider world and to reflect on the cultural and social assumptions that underpin their own world view and language use. Such awareness of different perspectives is an integral part of effective communication
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contributes to the development of critical thinking and the ability to adapt to change and equips students with learning strategies and study habits that are the foundation not only for lifelong learning but also for any subsequent language learning. (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority)
Cooking
Students in all year levels participate in cooking classes. They learn to grow the food, prepare the dishes and share a meal with their classmates in a warm and inviting environment. This program is run in conjunction with a team of St Luke's parents.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts is a way for students to express their creativity side through painting, drawing, sculpting, constructing and art appreciation. These classes aim to improve students’ skills around these areas and ensure that students have the opportunity to design, create and present their artworks.
Biennially St Luke's holds an art show where students' artworks and talents are displayed.
Digital Technologies
Digital Technologies is taught to all curriculum enables students to become confident and creative developers of digital solutions through the application of information systems and specific ways of thinking about problem solving.
Learning is structured to enable students to acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems, data and information and the processes associated with creating digital solutions so they can take up an active role in meeting current and future needs.
The curriculum has been designed to provide practical opportunities for students to explore the capacity of information systems to systematically and innovatively transform data into digital solutions through the application of computational, design and systems thinking.
Library
In 2024 all students will attend fortnightly library lessons as part of their Specialist program. These lessons primarily encompass information literacy and literature studies, as well as support inquiry and literacy learning across the curriculum.
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The learning that happens in the library is often seen as interdisciplinary learning and is an ideal setting for developing information literacy skills which span curriculum areas including English, Humanities, and the Capabilities including Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social, Ethical, and Intercultural learning. The learning that happens in the library gives students the opportunity to build skills as lifelong learners in a real-world community environment. This learning is often called ‘information fluency’, the ability to critically think while engaging in creating and using information across many platforms and mediums. This learning is critical in the information age in which we live.
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One of the best things about library learning is engaging students with a variety of texts for enjoyment. Reading for enjoyment improves outcomes across all areas of the curriculum, as well as forms an important part of fostering wellbeing!