Teaching and Learning Program

The curriculum of the school is based around the learning areas of - English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technology and Enterprise, Health and Physical Education, Languages and The Arts. Teaching and learning programs are developed, implemented and monitored with due consideration ensuring that all of our students work towards achieving the major outcomes identified in the West Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline.

We offer programs from K-12, including ATAR and VET programs for our secondary students and ASDAN for our students with special needs.

Our school has an extensive wireless network, with sets of laptops and iPads being available for classroom use to support the implementation of the curriculum.

Multiple Year Levels in Classes

What is a composite class?

A composite class contains students from more than one year level.  For example, the class can be made up of students from Year 1 and Year 2.  Composite classes have been shown to provide benefits to both the older and younger students in the class, including through mentoring roles and enhanced learning opportunities.  As our student enrolments grow and change, we will have several composite classes across the school.   To start 2022, every class from Year 2 - Year 6 is a composite or split class. Research demonstrates that there are many benefits to students being in a composite class; and through teamwork and positive communication we can support all our children to successfully transition to their new class and school.

Why do we create composite/split classes?

As our enrolments fluctuate and grow there will be a need to run composite classrooms at our school, to meet industrial requirements.  This is because funding in public schools is allocated on a per student basis, with our overall budget assigned according to the total number of students enrolled on the census date, in early Term 1 each year.

How does the school decide the classes each year?

The principal and the staff work together to form classes that consider overall student numbers, individual student needs, siblings, the recommended class sizes and the total number of staff employed by the school.  The final decision is made by the principal.

How do teachers cater academically for more than one year level in a class?

Teaching has changed significantly in recent decades through a focus on teachers using data to develop whole class, group and individualised 'plan, teach and assess cycles' that meet specific needs across different curriculum areas.  Our teachers are skilled in differentiating curriculum delivery and will be provided with ongoing coaching, feedback, and support whenever required.  In every class, including in single year levels, there is a significant variation in students' knowledge, skills, and abilities across all curriculum areas.  Teachers are adept at building learning opportunities, based on the curriculum, across multiple year levels.  Research by Professor John Hattie indicates that teacher quality, as opposed to whether a class is a straight year level or composite, makes a positive difference to the academic outcomes of students.

What about socially?

Children benefit tremendously from having friends outside of their year group, just as they do outside of school.  Developing a wider group of friends gives students greater connections across the school and can benefit them within the wider community.  It also helps students build social skills, which has long term positive effects for building resiliency.  Most children quickly adapt to new classes and form friendships that remain lasting in future years.  All students share the same recess and lunch times, which will further widen social play and opportunities.

Do you still have concerns?

If you still have concerns, please talk to your child's teacher about how they will cater for the individual needs of your child