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 focus upon what's coming up for each year level in Term Two, and again bring to your attention the importance of supporting our school's SWPBL and trauma-informed approach to learning.

Childhood Trauma and the Berry Street Education Model

At our school, we are well-versed on the importance of promoting an SWPBL environment which is rich in:

1.  Consistency; in daily routine and school-wide structures
2. Predictability; in adult-responses and support
3. Immediate reinforcement of desirable behaviours; through a combination of intrinsic motivators

The above factors are an important base upon which we encompass the trauma-informed Berry Street Education Model. 

When children are exposed to trauma, the effects can be widespread and long-lasting, not only on behavioural and social skills, but also in the classroom. Children and adolescents exposed to childhood trauma are more likely to experience poor academic performance, have difficulty forming friendships and have challenging classroom behaviours. They are also at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders and conduct problems.

Most children have nurturing home environments, but a concerning number experience trauma through abuse or neglect in Australia. It’s estimated around 8.9% of children experience physical abuse, 8.6% sexual abuse, 8.7% emotional abuse and 2.4% neglect. The rates could be higher as such experiences are difficult to measure.

For more information on what trauma-informed practice means within schools, we encourage you to visit: 

Five approaches for creating trauma-informed classrooms

Why every teacher needs to know about childhood trauma

What's the Curriculum focus coming up in the next edition of the newsletter?

In the next edition of our newsletter, we will be sharing information with you about our English curriculum.