Primary
- Overview
- Our Primary Faculty Curriculum encompasses all of the N.S.W. Board of Studies Key Learning Areas. Students are encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills and use these in service to God and others.
Our Primary children engage in a variety of activities that provide a solid foundation of academic, creative and social skills. Excursions such as "The Government in Action" visit to Canberra is a highlight for the students as they learn about Man in God's World, although some prefer strengthening friendships during the annual camping trips!
- Firm Foundations
- The Primary Department of SHCS is where children are encouraged to take the next step in their development towards independence. Our aim is for each student to learn who God is, about the world he has created, and about themselves and their place in His world. We support each student in the growth of their individual skills through instructional and cooperative learning programs All are nurtured and have individual needs met as they take on the challenge of building on their skills and knowledge to achieve their personal best.
- Literacy and numeracy
- The firm foundations laid down in infants are built on with a curriculum based on the Board of Studies syllabus with a Biblical focus. Lessons are taught in the six Key Learning Areas:
English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and it's Environment, PD/H/PE, Creative Arts, and Man in God's world. THRASS is continued through into the primary classes to reinforce the reading and spelling strategies learnt in infants.
Primary students are each given a 'Boomerang Book' which they use to develop responsible homework habits and accountability, communication with parents is also facilitated through the book. All primary students are encouraged to participate in the Premiers Reading Challenge and for those children seeking an extra challenge SHCS offers a number of avenues which may include; The University of N.S.W.'s School's Competitions in Literacy, Numeracy and Science, the MS Read-a-thon, The Writers Challenge and Tournament of minds.
- Music and Drama
- All aspects of the Creative Arts and Music curriculum are taught in class lessons with Primary also meeting to enjoy choir once a week. Recorder is taught to a number of classes each year and students have the opportunity to experience drama and public performance through our weekly assemblies. The SHCS High School music teacher often visits the Primary department to share their musical talents with the children
- Outdoor Learning and Excursions
- SHCS Primary explores many diverse and interesting topics and activities through our varied excursion program. Each year students will experience camps that reflect the curriculum.
Year 3 have, in previous years, enjoyed two, one day excursions, the first to Fitzroy Falls and the second to Sydney for a tour of the Rocks area, Maritime Museum and the replica of Captain Cook's "Endeavour".
Year 4 have enjoyed an overnight camping program to Fitzroy Falls.
Year 5 have traveled to Taronga Zoo in Sydney for an overnight camp- 'Zoo Snooze' and have also discovered gold in the 'Bathurst Gold Fields'.
Year 6 have celebrated with an overnight camp at 'Teen Range', and a day excursion to Canberra to learn about politics.
- Sport
- Our SHCS Primary students have their own dedicated, fully qualified Physical Education teacher, bringing invaluable experience to the children as they help develop their sporting skills, ranging from basic hand eye co-ordination to advanced specialised sporting techniques. Our PE teacher is involved every morning with Primary Fitness, a 15-20 minute fitness session to start the day and also leads primary sport on Friday afternoons.
Of course SHCS offers all our students the chance to participate in all the sporting carnivals including athletics and swimming where our four house groups, Elliot, Livingstone, Carey and Taylor, compete to be top house for the year, as well as our cross country event.
Students have the opportunity to go on and compete at District, Regional and State level.
Additional activities such as Jump Rope for Heart provide events the children thoroughly enjoy whilst encouraging healthy exercise.
- Developing Social and Coping Skills
- A significant part of growing and maturing is learning good social and coping skills. At SHCS we have implemented a classroom resiliency program. This program offers practical strategies to help all young people cope with the complexity of their everyday lives and learn to 'Bounce Back' when they experience sadness, difficulties, frustrations and hard times.
The program explores topics related to; developing positive values, developing courage and strategies for bouncing back, looking at the bright side, managing emotions, relationship skills, humour as a coping tool, dealing with bullying and being successful. It also helps to promote a more positive, supportive, prosocial culture with a greater likelihood of students offering effective peer support. It is hoped that as children experience enhanced self-esteem and higher levels of emotional wellbeing, they will, in turn, show improved learning outcomes as a result.
- Further Details
- I believe the teachers at Southern Highlands Christian School provide a positive learning envronment for your child.
Ruth Brown
Primary Coordinator
