Curriculum News
Welcome back to Term 4
Term 4 promises to be a vibrant and enriching time for our students. Here are some suggestions to help reinforce skills at home. Together, we can make this final term a strong and joyful finish to the school year!
English
- Support at Home:
- Encourage daily reading—ask questions about characters, plot, and vocabulary.
- Help your child brainstorm ideas for stories or poems and write together.
Discuss advertisements or signs to explore persuasive language in everyday life.
Mathematics
- Support at Home:
- Involve your child in cooking to explore measurement and fractions.
- Play board games or puzzles that involve strategy and number skills.
- Use everyday objects to explore shapes and patterns—e.g., “How many rectangles can you find in the kitchen?”
Information about Learning Phases
In the New South Wales (NSW) education system, the term "stages" refers to broad learning phases that group school years together. These stages help teachers plan learning that builds progressively as children grow.
NSW School Stages Explained
| Stage Name | School Years | Typical Age Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Stage 1 | Kindergarten (Year K) | 5–6 years | Focuses on foundational skills like reading, writing, counting, and social interaction. |
| Stage 1 | Years 1–2 | 6–8 years | Builds on basics with more structured learning in literacy, numeracy, and inquiry. |
| Stage 2 | Years 3–4 | 8–10 years | Expands knowledge and skills, introduces more complex concepts and independent learning. |
| Stage 3 | Years 5–6 | 10–12 years | Prepares students for high school with deeper thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. |
| Stage 4 | Years 7–8 (High School) | 12–14 years | Transition to secondary education, with subject-specific learning and assessments. |
| Stage 5 | Years 9–10 | 14–16 years | Builds toward senior studies, includes electives and more advanced content. |
| Stage 6 | Years 11–12 | 16–18 years | Senior secondary education, focused on HSC preparation and pathways to work or university. |
Why Use Stages?
- Consistency: Teachers across NSW use the same framework to guide learning.
- Progression: Each stage builds on the previous one, ensuring smooth development.
- Flexibility: Students can be supported at their own pace within each stage.
Working together for our students,
Leanna Langlands
Instructional Specialist