Curriculum Vision
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, through collaborative teaching and planning, our staff and students are encouraged to:
- achieve quality educational outcomes;
- grow in self-esteem and self-confidence;
- learn to work co-operatively in groups and teams;
- take pride in their school and their parish; and
- be responsible for their own learning.
We strive to provide our students with a learning environment that is challenging and stimulating. Pedagogy is reflective of current educational research and students are encouraged to develop their own learning future through the lens of our ideal model - Jesus Christ.
The staff of St Mary’s School believe that learning programs should be as flexible and practical as possible. The many resources available to us in our local area, assist the teaching at St Mary’s School. Teachers are encouraged to make full use of these to enhance the application of learning into life contexts.
In order to meet the needs of the adults of the future, today’s curriculum must not only be outcomes focused but it must also:
- Be relevant to the needs of society and students’ future needs;
- Embrace/utilise new opportunities as they arise (e.g. technological advances) and maximise the use of thinking skills and ability to evaluate outcomes;
- Be focused on students’ holistic development; and
- Present a contextual experience for developing skills such as teamwork, consultation, valuing diversity and communicating.
The primary purpose of education is to prepare students as lifelong learners and ensure that they develop the necessary skills so they can participate as productive and successful citizens. We strive to do this at St Mary’s.
Curriculum Organisation
The learning programs at St Mary’s are flexible and practical and are guided by the Australian Curriculum.
The common curriculum includes:
- English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (History and Geography);
- Integrated Learning - Technology and Visual Arts;
- Speciality subjects of Arts (Media, Dance and Drama) and HPE; and
- Religion.
The extended curriculum includes:
- Spiritual enrichment (meditation, class prayer, sacramental programs, parish celebrations);
- Cultural activities (multi–cultural days);
- Extra-curricular sport (eg Challenge Cup rugby League and netball, John Papp Shield, futsal and basketball gala days, Inter-schools sports); and
- Artistic activities ( eg drama, show art entries, school productions, Eisteddfod, Rock Pop Mime).