Learning & Teaching
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
Each week students take part in four specialist subject lessons. These classes are run by teachers specifically trained in that area of the curriculum.
Physical Education
During Physical Education classes with Mr Geisler students participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. As well as improving fitness, physical education classes help students to develop a sense of fair play, self-confidence and an ability to work with others as part of a team.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts classes facilitated by Ms Romeo enable students to explore dance, drama and music. Students attend the Performing Arts classes in one of the specially designed rooms in the portables located near the playground. The room has specialised flooring that is suitable for dance and is well stocked with a range of musical instruments.
Indonesian
The language that we teach at St John’s is Indonesian, with classes taught by Mrs Davies. The study of languages is an integral part of a broad and balanced education for all learners. An understanding of more than one language offers students cultural and intellectual advantages and the potential to become genuine citizens of the world. These students are pictured holding some fluffy replicas of some native Indonesian animals.
Visual Arts
During Visual Arts classes with Mrs Cook, students are involved in making and responding to artworks using a range of materials and techniques. During Art lessons students are encouraged to use their creativity to design and produce their pieces.
TAKE HOME READERS
Take Home Readers Year 1 & 2
Take home readers for students in Year 1 and 2 commence this week. Students change their books twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. If they finish the book prior to the next reader change day, we suggest you have your child reread the text, to improve fluency and comprehension. A Reading Diary will be sent home with your child’s book and we encourage families to fill these in. They are a great way to track the process your child is making. Those students who have achieved a Level 28 are considered independent readers. As such they are able to choose their own reading material. We encourage families to become members of the local Julia Gillard Library in Tarneit located at 150 Sunset Views Blvd, Tarneit.
Prep Take Home Readers
The transition to school is a major milestone and you will most likely find your child is very tired at the end of the school day and needs extra rest and sleep. Home reading books do not commence in Prep until Term 2. By this time your child will have been taught several letters and sounds in class and be able to ‘sound out’ words in the home reading books.
During Term 1 the expectation is that children in Prep are read to using a range of materials including books you may have at home or by visiting the local library to borrow books. Families can also access the Sunshine Classics Online resource by following the steps below:
HOMEWORK
At St John’s we believe homework should complement classroom learning, foster work routines and provide other opportunities for students to revisit and practise curriculum covered in class. As a school we acknowledge that many parents have different expectations of homework and to formulate a homework structure which suits all is extremely challenging. We believe that daily reading is the most beneficial activity for any aged student. It provides them with the opportunity to improve their reading speed and fluency and helps develop the habits required to be a lifelong learner. With this in mind Prep and Year 1 students focus mainly on Reading, with Year 2 -6 students having the opportunity to also complete some simple literacy and numeracy tasks each week.
NAPLAN 2023 UPDATE
NAPLAN assessments will take place this year during March in all Australian schools. Primary school students in Year 3 and Year 5, complete these tests. Much of the testing now occurs online. The best preparation your child can do is to read daily to improve their reading speed as this makes it easier to complete testing in a timely manner.