Curriculum- Teaching and Learning

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 this edition we provide you with a write-up from one of our electives teams. 

Craft Elective- Friday 2:40pm- 3:30pm

Our Term Four electives have got off to a flying start! 

Over the past fortnight we have created wool letters, using cardboard and wool. 

Each student chose to use their initial and here are two of the finished initials!  Thank you Emma and Alyssa for letting us showcase your work.

In earlier sessions, students learnt how to make woollen hats. Using wool, cardboard and a macramé style loop. These are so easy to make and would look great in footy colours.

Next we are designing, filling, and decorating a jar. The technique we are using is to glue our chosen images inside the jar, decorate the lids.  Some may choose to add a battery candle to light them up. 

We have some very creative students at USPS. 

Looking forward to seeing what they can make in the coming weeks

Below are some quotes from members of our craft elective: 

“The electives let me do things with friends from different classes and year levels” - Olive

" I love to create  my own designs and  colours, using my imagination.”- Violet

“Being able to choose a different elective each term is so much fun. Craft is really interesting and I am learning new skills.” - Sophia

Talk Moves - our agreed conversational norms for classroom talk

At Upwey South Primary School, part of our teaching and learning curriculum involves 'conversational norms'. 

Conversational norms are the agreed ways we communicate during classroom and/or group settings. 

The purpose of establishing conversational norms is for speakers to be able to contribute without interruption, and for all views to be respectfully supported and/or challenged. 

Please click on the links below to see our talk moves in action, which are based upon Auslan.  

I agree. I connect with your thinking and/or behaviour.  

I understand.

I understand and have one idea, statement or comment.

I understand and have two ideas, statements or comments.

I don't understand and need some assistance. (Help)

I respectfully disagree.

I am choosing to ignore your behaviour.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities Beyond the Traditional Classroom

As part of our School Strategic Plan (2022-2026) we have a focus upon creating even stronger Student Voice, Agency, and Engagement; alongside the continuous improvement of our traditional/core curriculum.

Please be aware that the extra-curricular opportunities referenced in this post are beyond existing opportunities, such as the Victorian State Schools Spectacular (VSSS), John Monash Science School (JMSS), school choirs, interschool sport, arts initiatives, and other opportunities which have been previously communicated throughout this term.

Teaching and Learning Programs across USPS are delivered through direct-explicit instruction, and are facilitated through our school-wide instructional model, the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR). 

The academic curriculum is supported by a strong social-emotional learning culture, which is based upon the BSEM and SWPBL.