Literacy

We have a rigorous program that is distinguished by a balanced approach of explicit teaching, group learning and independent learning.

The Early Years Literacy Program is used as a guide to improve early literacy. The program recognises that all children should succeed at literacy by the end of their third year of schooling. We believe in building positive relationships and making links between the child’s home and the Fitzroy Primary community to support the development of their literacy skills.

The timetabled components of the Early Years Program are:

• A daily 2 hour literacy session
• Small group learning centres
• A partnership between home and school
• Partnerships and resources dedicated to oral language
• A Language Support Program for students at risk
• Supporting Early Literacy Learning Groups (SELL) for students in years 1-2
• Home Reading as an essential part of our school’s reading program.
• At FPS we keep abreast of current trends and best practice in regards to both Literacy and Numeracy. We have a belief in the change/review/evaluate cycle when looking at our curriculum.

We have a Literacy Specialist teacher who works across the school with teachers and students to support the development of the Literacy curriculum, best use of resources and the creation of learning tasks that cater for all learners.

 

Numeracy

Fitzroy Primary School has an ongoing commitment to excellence in Mathematics. Through a partnership program with the Department the school has access to a Maths Specialist program. Fitzroy Primary School is committed to the recommendations of the National Numeracy Review; that all principals and teachers recognise that, while mathematics can be taught in the context of a mathematics lessons, the development of numeracy requires experience in the use of mathematics beyond the mathematics classroom, and hence requires a whole school and an across the curriculum commitment. This program has an extension program for students performing above expected level, and an after school program that focuses on targeted maths areas, and a regular program for Foundation students.

The specialist (Nick) is there to run, coordinate and assist in the Mathematical development of students (and teachers) from prep to year 6 and beyond. The program is coordinated and run by Nick who has specific criteria set down by the department that includes student learning outcomes and a comprehensive and sustainable assessment program. The specialist program also ensured that Nick undertook Professional development in all aspects of Mathematics.

 

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Fitzroy Primary’s kitchen garden program provides engaging and educational gardening and food experiences for all our students.

The school has had a long history of operating a gardening program but in 2013 with the help of a dedicated team of parents and support from Medibank we were able to install a purpose built kitchen extend the program to include regular cooking lessons for our Year 3-6 students.

Our Foundation to Year- 2 students also have the opportunity to experience regular gardening classes, with visits to the kitchen.

The program is run in conjunction with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and has proven educational and health benefits. The kitchen garden program is guided by seasonal harvest, student interests and the festivals and events which are important to our diverse community at Fitzroy Primary School.

The school employs one part-time specialist kitchen teacher and one part-time specialist garden teacher to run these sessions and is committed to the outstanding benefits this program brings to our community of learners, their families and the wider school community.

 

The Arts

At Fitzroy Primary school the Art program ensures that sustainable links with the broader Art community within Fitzroy are maintained and adhered to a standard of excellence. Visiting artists will both complement and extend the existing curriculum allowing the students the freedom to explore their imaginations and have a creative outlet for ideas and concepts as well as acting as role models and mentors.

Art will communicate observations, personal ideas, feelings and experiences. Students will explore and use a variety of arts elements, skills, techniques and processes, media, materials, equipment and technologies in a range of art forms. They will be encouraged to talk about aspects of their own art works, and art works and events within their community. With the Fitzroy Primary School annual Art Exhibition becoming a must attend event within the broader Fitzroy Community, students will be busy during lessons in art this year creating their masterpieces for display at the exhibition.

 

Science (Inquiry Learning)

Inquiry learning is an active thinking and learning process that requires the students to form inquiry questions that enable purposeful and worthwhile information gathering, set goals, make plans for finding the information, decide on the appropriate sources of information, evaluate the information they gather and; use their data to form answers that build on and extend their prior knowledge and lead to deeper understanding. Students are both problem posers and problem solvers within inquiry learning.

At Fitzroy Primary School we use the Inquiry Learnin g approach in a range of different curriculum areas and more specifically in the area of Science.

Inquiry learning can take many forms, for example, integrated, issue or problem- based, action led, negotiated and play based. However, inquiry is essentially a student centred learning approach, characterized by students:

asking questions, building on prior knowledge and making their own discoveries
finding information from primary and other sources to answer generative questions and develop deep conceptual understandings
making connections between ideas, learning domains and experiences
reflecting on and taking action on their understanding
At Fitzroy Primary School we use the Inquiry Learning approach in a range of different curriculum areas and more specifically in the area of Science. Our Science program culminates in an annual Science Week event at the school where the older students run activities for our younger students.

 

Physical Education

Participating in an inclusive Physical Education program is vitally important for young people so they can develop healthy, happy lives. Through this program, students at Fitzroy Primary will learn a wealth of important skills and behaviours that will enable them to build and maintain their physical, social, mental and emotional health. By integrating the complementary skills taught through the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) program, the students have the opportunity to implement their understandings in different contexts.

To encourage a sense of social connectedness, which is vital for students’ wellbeing, students are encouraged to work together and show good sportsmanship at all times. This is carried beyond the school gates through participation in community programs such as Jump Rope for Heart, Regional Athletics and Interschool Sports. All students throughout the school are provided with the opportunity to participate in a swimming program on a yearly basis. Our swimming program incorporates activities to cater for a wide-range of skills and ability levels and is taught by qualified instructors at local swimming pools.

 

French Languages Education

Fitzroy Primary School runs a French Languages Education program and this program is taught from Foundation to Year 6. The goal of the French program is to develop knowledge and skill with the French language and an understanding and appreciation of French culture. We do this by developing the students’ skills in speaking, reading and writing in French and by providing regular cultural experiences and activities. The program is based on the Victorian Curriculum.

Our qualified and native speaking French teacher teaches the program across the school.  The school has formed a strong partnership with the French Bi-Lingual Association who support the school with the development of our French program and who run a French Bi-Lingual program at the school on a Saturday.

 

Information & Communication Technology

Students have access to a large lab containing 20 computers, pods of desktops for each learning area, a class set of notebook computers for Years 3-6, class sets of iPads available to all Year levels and banks of iPod touches available in the early years.  Students use a mixture of iPads and iPods as a vital tool to support their work in Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry Learning.

All classrooms have access to Interactive whiteboards and data projectors. These allow teachers to teach specific skills and give software demonstrations. Students can play educational games in groups and display their work for the class.

Teaching teams plan eLearning activities each term. The activities are integrated across all AUSVELS domains and are designed to enhance the curriculum and assist the students to achieve specific learning outcomes.

Cyber Safety

Our students have access to a wide variety of digital technologies. To ensure that these forms of learning are used well, we teach students cyber safety skills using a variety of interactive programs which are tailored to age appropriate levels.  Quality resources and support provided by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation allow us to call Fitzroy Primary School a registered ‘eSmart’ school .

Please feel free to check out some of following websites:

www.budd-e.cybersmart.gov.au/primary/main.php

www.communications.gov.au/online_safety_and_security/Online_Safety_and_Security

www.cybersmart.gov.au/schools.aspx

 

Excursions and Camps

At Fitzroy Primary School, students in Years three to six have the opportunity to participate in our Camping Program. Students attend a three-day camp at either a bush or beach setting. Activities include visiting local attractions, outdoor activities such as canoeing, team building activities, bush cooking, orienteering ropes courses and much more. These activities are supervised by teachers and staff trained in outdoor education. Camps are an important part of our program and a great opportunity for personal development. Students have the opportunity to make new friends, face new challenges and learn to work together. It is a great setting for teachers and students to really get to know each other. And a lot of fun.

Educational excursions and incursions are regarded as an integral part of the learning process and a fundamental part of children’s education. They provide experiences which stimulate curiosity and create springboards for future learning. Excursions and incursions are not isolated learning experiences but are linked to themes being studied in the curriculum. Written advice on excursions will be provided to parents in advance.