K-12 - One School for Life
Based on the stages of child development, we have created the following hubs based around the word “Step” to align with the respective development stages of children so that we can better cater for the wellbeing and academic needs.
PRIMARY SCHOOL:
Early Steps (Junior Kindy- Year 2)
This is a time where students begin their journey through our personalised, investigative, play-based approach to early learning through a Kathy Walker Learning approach. This approach to caters for student interests and personalises learning to foster in students: thinking independently, creatively and imaginatively. They build resilience and sense of self as they navigate the mandated curriculum. We aim to develop social-emotional skills and dispositions to set students on a path of life-long learning. This approach is also balanced with evidenced-based literacy and numeracy instruction and programs, embedded in all classrooms.
These include: PreLit and InitiaLit (phonological awareness, phonics, reading, spelling), Talk 4 Writing, Origo Stepping Stones and Dr Paul Swan’s Bond Blocks (Maths).
Regular parent communication and reporting of student homework occur through our continuous feedback cycle via the Seesaw platform, portfolios, reports and parent-teacher meetings.
Students are supported in their transition through to Upper Learning via an orientation day.
Step Forward (Year 3-6)
As children grow, their sense of themselves and their world expands. They begin to see themselves as members of larger communities. They are interested in, and like to speculate about, other times, places and societies. They begin to understand and appreciate different points of view, develop the ability to think in more abstract terms and undertake sustained activities for longer periods. The ability of students to work collaboratively and to develop their social skills should be fostered by activities that require group planning and decision making, and interaction with people inside and outside their classroom. They are introduced to experiences beyond their immediate environment including those of people from other times, places and cultures. (School Curriculum and Standards Authority, 2025)
Our curriculum, programs and teaching are centred upon this expanding view of the world. Through explicit teaching instruction and using evidence-informed programs and practice, we build on the foundations of early years. There may be a need to help close some learning gaps through differentiated learning or small group intervention, whilst also providing extension opportunities for other students.
Specific programs include Spellex (spelling), Talk 4 Writing, Origo Stepping Stones and Dr Paul Swan’s Bond Blocks (Maths).
Beyond the classroom, our unique Camps program commences in Year 3, beginning with an overnight camp onsite and then broadening in the later year levels, into our region and beyond to Perth and Canberra.
Specialist teachers provide expert teaching in Indonesian, Visual Arts, Physical Education and Music,
Regular parent communication and reporting of student homework occur through our continuous feedback cycle via the SEQTA platform, reports and parent-teacher meetings.
With our close link to our Secondary school, students are well supported in their transition via a program, meetings with the Year 7 coordinator, teacher handover and an orientation day.
Students also have many opportunities to develop leadership skills, through our Inspire program in the middle years and then into House and Year 6 leadership roles.
SECONDARY SCHOOL:
A 7/8 Hub called STEP IN
This is a time where student transition from Primary school and step into Secondary, build new friendships, have more movement around campus, enter the school perhaps for the first time, manage homework and other commitments and get to sample an array of different subject areas with specialist teachers.
A 9/10 Hub called STEP UP
This is a time where students have to choose their possible path in life and have to step up in their academic studies as well as co-curricular activities. They have to make the decision to either choose an ATAR or General pathway and have to contemplate their future direction. They step up in their camp programs as they go on outward bound for the first time and build new friendships and learn how to become more resilient.
A 11/12 Hub called STEP OUT
This is a time that students step out and consider life after their formal schooling. They will consider where they go to for further studies, which TAFE courses they may undertake and what they will do after school finishes. Students as they get ready to step out, have to take full responsibility for their course choices and their studies and learn to sit external exams. It is a time of the school ball and where life-long friendships are solidified.
