Curriculum

English

Reflecting the National Curriculum (ACARA), our English studies are built around language, literature and literacy. Together, the three integrated strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. Learning in English builds on concepts, skills and processes developed in earlier years, and teachers will strive to develop and strengthen these over each student’s formative primary school years.

German

The study of an alternative language enables students to develop a better understanding not only of their own first language but also of what it means to be a global citizen. As well as grammar and vocabulary, it offers an insight into a different culture. As one of the world's most widely spoken languages, and the single most common native language in the European Union, German is an extremely popular choice, and a key reason we include it in our curriculum.

All students from Foundation to Year 6 receive one hour per week of instruction from our specialist German teacher – covering listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting, through songs, games, interactive software, and a variety of writing, reading and viewing activities.

Mathematics at Our Saviour is an exciting, hands-on programme that builds knowledge, understanding, mathematical thinking, problem-solving skills and reasoning abilities across the year levels. Reflecting its importance in day-to-day life, mathematics takes a high priority in the curriculum and is taught on a daily basis in all classes.

In addition to the key fields of numbers and algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics and probability, we also focus on developing a broader capacity for logical thinking and proficiency.

We aim high and support our students to be enthusiastic, motivated, engaged, challenged and successful, through:

• Hands-on activities.
• A variety of materials and technology
• Sharing their ideas.
• Independent working and collaboration in pairs and small groups.
• Practising fundamental skills and solving everyday mathematical problems
• Teacher interaction demonstration, questioning and task guidance.

Christian Studies at Our Saviour underpins the ethos of our school, encourages enquiry, and introduces children to the world of religion and spirituality, which are integral components of all cultures.

Throughout our school, we acknowledge that all people are on a lifelong journey of faith, and therefore, we value:

• Open dialogue
• Sensitivity to the beliefs of others
• Interdependence and collaboration with other students
• Individual reflection
• Respect for each person’s uniqueness, and
• Recognition that growth and transformation take time.

Christian Studies provides an avenue for the Holy Spirit to grow, where all faith responses are encouraged, nurtured and expressed. This occurs in safe and supportive class environments with the freedom for children to have their own views in a diverse community of differing backgrounds and experiences.

While we present to students a Christian worldview and a pathway for making meaning in their lives, students can explore a range of religious and non-religious perspectives they encounter in an increasingly pluralistic Australian society.

Knowledge of other people’s belief systems and analysis of the complex interplay of factors that contribute to an individual worldview, enrich students’ ability to make sense of the world, determine the source of their own beliefs and values, and understand the role religion plays in society.

The dynamic Arts program at Our Saviour encompasses dance, drama, music, visual and media arts. Options are provided for students to participate in choir, band and private individual instrumental lessons.

It is widely recognised that students who are exposed to varied opportunities in the Arts display greater literacy skills, but our belief about the importance of the Arts extends far beyond that. For young people, personal expression and creativity work in unison with growing and learning about the world.

Recognising that most pre-school-aged children love to sing, dance and use their bodies in all manner of ways, we believe that there are enormous benefits in harnessing this exuberance and freedom in our primary school environment.

Music has many benefits for children, and active participation in music enhances their ability to think, learn, reason and create. Our Saviour provides an opportunity for every student to enjoy, learn and grow through music at all levels, but particularly for students from Years 3 to 6.

In addition to musical opportunities offered in class, private tuition is also provided on-site by qualified instructors who encourage children’s skill development and appreciation of music in its diverse forms.

All students who learn an instrument are encouraged to join the school band, whose musical talents are regularly showcased at official school functions, worship services, concerts and performances.

For those students whose preferred instrument is voice, our choir provides an opportunity to learn music, teamwork and performance skills in an atmosphere of fun and encouragement. The choir performs at a variety of school functions as well as in the wider community, including visits to local retirement villages and the local community centre.

The highlight of the year for our instrumental students (and their families) is the annual Music Night. It is an inspiring evening of entertainment where all students receiving musical tuition (either on or off campus) are invited to perform, with the school band and choir also performing.

By embracing the Arts, we truly believe that we are also recognising and unleashing the unique character of each and every child at Our Saviour. The biannual/biennial School Musical is a highlight event at the school, with all students taking on a role – ably and enthusiastically supported by parents, staff and the wider school community.

Our Saviour offers specialised teaching in the areas of the Arts, physical education and German. Our staff are well credentialled to teach in this area, and students enjoy the focus these areas are given in the school.

Our Saviour Lutheran School is very fortunate to have fantastic sports and physical activity resources, including two ovals, netball court and a gymnasium – creating the ideal setting for a comprehensive physical education program.

Students participate in a specialised program each week with a physical education teacher. Class teachers also allow time for daily fitness activities, promoting students to be active and to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others.

The school often participates in extra skills-based programs, and, over the years, these have included Hot Shot Tennis, Little Athletics, the Circus Challenge, Jump Rope for Heart, Footsteps dance program, bicycle safety, and football, basketball, netball and soccer clinics. In addition, all students undertake four swimming lessons in Term 1 at Immanuel College.

Sport and House Teams

On enrolment, all students are allocated to one of our House Teams:

• Sapphire
• Ruby
• Emerald

Siblings are usually placed in the same House Team and compete for their house on Sports Day.

SAPSASA Sports

Our Saviour is registered with SAPSASA and proudly participates in many interschool competitions, such as knockout cricket, soccer and volleyball.

Students are also given the opportunity to try out for the Southern Valley District team in many sports, including cross country, swimming, diving, soccer, netball and football. Alternative sports in which students have a particular interest or talent, can also be pursued.

Out Of School Hours Sports

The school has a dynamic sporting program with many of the students involved in after-school sports. The sports offered are based on student interest as well as parent helpers.

Our students are members of a generation who have a high degree of technological awareness and demonstrate a capacity to learn effectively and efficiently using technology. We believe it’s important to offer students the opportunities to become skilled in using tools and programs that will play a major role in their future learning and support possible career options.

We endeavour to provide rich learning experiences through various types of ICT tools and mediums/media, while guiding students how to be responsible digital citizens.

Our school runs a Bring Your Own Device program for Year 4 to Year 6. This provides a platform for personalised education, allowing students to use their own technology in the classroom, and make learning even more engaging and interactive. The Junior Primary classes each have a set of iPads to enhance literacy and numeracy learning.

The community of Our Saviour Lutheran School values diversity and welcomes all students. We strive to encourage and support each child to learn the academic, social and emotional skills necessary to be a successful lifelong learner and an independent, responsible member of our community.

Our Learning Support Coordinator and the team of dedicated Learning Support Officers works collaboratively with the classroom teachers to provide targeted help to individual students with specific needs.

Students are identified as eligible for support through:

• Classroom teacher identification
• Parental concerns and/or personal interviews
• Evidence-based testing and data
• Medical or educational history

Where appropriate, Independent Learning Plans are set up by the Learning Support Coordinator in consultation with the classroom teacher and the parents/caregivers. During this process, individual goals are established, programmes are initiated, and follow-up schedules organised.

Students then receive a range of personalised support from the LSO team, such as:

• In-class mentoring
• One-on-one specific tutoring
• Inclusion in social skills programmes
• Access to supervised quiet time in The Zone – an area equipped with sensory games and calming activities.

Teachers plan tasks to meet each student’s needs and provide a range of strategies and activities that encourage students to be engaged in the learning process. Teachers also regularly meet with the Learning Support Coordinator and the support team to discuss student progress and optimise opportunities for success and growth.

We are genuinely proud to welcome students with a wide range of abilities, interests, gifts and talents, which we cater for in a two-pronged approach.

Firstly, the teaching staff receive regular professional development to enhance their skills so that they are able to implement Quality Differentiated Learning Practices.

Secondly, the school ethos embraces the uniqueness of each student and the diversity in which their gifts may thrive – not only academically but creatively as well – by providing a curriculum that is rich in whole-school activities and encourages individual talents and strengths. These can extend from opportunities that hone sporting and athletic prowess, to tuition in music and voice, specialist art teaching, and higher-order thinking through chess.

Assessment and reporting are integral to the teaching and learning experience.

Assessment

Assessment is the gathering and analysis of information about what students know, can do, and understand. The principal purposes of assessment at Our Saviour is to:

• Determine what the students know and understand about the world
• Inform and differentiate the teaching and learning program
• Monitor student progress and achievement
• Provide feedback to teachers, students and parents
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the program

Formal assessment occurs throughout the year, generally via literacy and numeracy tests, which are used to track student progress across the school and assist in the identification of specific learning needs both individually and school-wide.

Assessment is conducted in a variety of ways, including quizzes, observations, checklists, journals, learning tasks and class discussions, as well as ‘summative assessment’ at the end of a topic, and may be in the form of an assignment, test, or presentation.

Reporting

Student progress and achievement is reported to parents, both formally and informally, throughout the year.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

These take place throughout the year and provide the opportunity for parents to share important information with the teacher, and find out how the student has settled to the new year level, and demonstrated their learning and understanding so far. Subsequent interviews may take place with the teacher and or Learning Support Coordinator as requested or required.

Written Reports

These are provided to parents at the end of each semester, with students’ progress assessed against the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. The development of student’s attributes and attitudes as a learner in terms of thinking, communication, social and organisational skills may also be commented on by the classroom teacher.

Where in place, Individual Learning Programs are identified and reported on as well.

Student-Led Conferences

Students are provided with the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their learning, and communicate their goals, learning styles and understandings to their parents. The emphasis is on student engagement, accountability and articulation.

TERM 1

• Parent Information Evenings

TERM 2

• Requested interviews
• NAPLAN (years 3 and 5)
• Mid-year report

TERM 3

• School-based assessment (PAT, Waddington’s, Lexile testing)
• Student-led conferences

TERM 4

• Requested interviews
• End of year report