Curriculum- Teaching and Learning 

If you wish to hear more about curriculum, teaching and learning across our school, please contact: 

Melinda Rowe

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Pedagogy

m: 0467 290 948

melinda.rowe@education.vic.gov.au

School Wide Teaching and Learning

In each edition of our school newsletter, we share with our community an insight into the curriculum being taught within our classrooms. This reflects our school's strong focus upon continuous improvement. 

Each edition covers a different area of the curriculum, and is supported by our school-wide approaches to teaching and learning. 

In schools, VHAP stands for the Victorian High-Ability Program. It is a Department of Education initiative in Victoria, that provides 10-week online extension courses in English and Mathematics for high-achieving students in Years 5 to 8. 

Format: Students participate in one 60-minute live virtual class per week, with additional self-paced activities throughout the week.

Delivery: Courses are delivered by teachers from Virtual School Victoria (VSV) during regular school hours, while students remain supervised at their home school.

Eligibility: Students are typically identified for the program using their NAPLAN data and teacher assessments. Schools are notified of nominated students prior to the beginning of the following term.

A huge congratulations to the following students for completing the VHAP program this year.

Otis and Lucy  - Maths program in Term One

Eddie - Maths program in Term Two

Lucy - Writing program in Term Two.

You should all be very proud of your achievements.

Here are some reflections from students that have been involved in the program this year.

Otis

VHAP was a fun way to introduce me to new topics I wouldn't learn in our normal Maths classes. Being in VHAP is like going on a boat to new Maths journeys and it comes with the resources you need to reach your goals. To do VHAP it takes commintment but it is totally worth giving it a try. VHAP is extremely fun, noticing that there are other kids out there like you!

 

Lucy

Maths VHAP was super amazing. I loved how challenging it was and I also loved learning new stuff. In Maths VHAP we learnt about how other people use or used to use different number systems. We learnt how to count in different base systems.

 

I feel like English VHAP is a good way for me to learn how to make my writing even better. We are focusing on Archetypes and lots of other things to help us improve. By the end of the unit, we are going to have an amazing story completed.

Eddie

To me, VHAP Maths has been nothing short of an adventure. I have learned so many new things and seen so many amazing concepts in the few weeks I have attended. VHAP takes great commitment, however it is worth it if you're willing to try. VHAP is a fun and challenging adventure that you will never forget. Knowing that there are other opeople out there who are just like you is a blessing that VHAP can grant. Try VHAP, and enjoy and experience you'll never forget.

We are delighted to inform you that Upwey South Primary School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS AssessmentsTM this year. ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. 

Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised. We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. 

The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment, that has been running for over 40 years. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.

Please note that these assessments are only available for students in Year Three to Six and will take place throughout specified dates in August as listed in the attached.

Important information: The tests can only be conducted within the week that they are allocated. 

These assessments are conducted on laptops, so it is beneficial if your child is familiar with a touch pad and keyboard.

If you wish for your child to participate, please select the appropriate test/s for your child/children and make payment via the parent payment by the closing date of Monday 20th July 2026

Please sign up and pay at: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/parent-payment/HPJ629

School code: HPJ629

Our students have made a great start to their elective sessions and are enjoying the wide variety of activities offered to them.

We have had students:

• writing and recording scripts and advertisements at 3MDR
• exploring games and making lego creations
• increasing their drawing skills
• learning about coding and robotics
• enhancing their bike skills
• making amazing animation videos using Stop Motion
• rehearsing songs in Choir
• designing lanterns
• making designs using Minecraft
• exploring various art and craft activities

We have two more sessions of the current electives before having a break prior to round two beginning. Keep an eye out for a Compass post next term where your child/ren will make their selections for the next round. 

Please note that for popular electives, priority will be given to students who have not completed that elective in round one.