Australian Curriculum
ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) is responsible for the development of the Australian curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12. All schools in Australia must follow the Australian curriculum.
ACARA’s work in developing the Australian curriculum is guided by the 2008 Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. The Melbourne Declaration commits “to supporting all young Australians to become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens”, and to promoting equity and excellence in education. The Australian curriculum will “equip all young Australians with the essential skills, knowledge and capabilities to thrive and compete in a globalised world and information rich workplaces of the current century.” The national curriculum will be accessible to all young Australians, regardless of their social or economic background or the school they attend.
Information about the Australian Curriculum can be found at www.acara.edu.au
Religious Education
The Religious Education program strives to ‘Help Students Develop as Whole Persons’ by celebrating the relationships between all members of our school community. Following both Mercy and Presentation charisms in our school allows us the opportunity to embrace the similarities and differences of these Orders. We will continue to celebrate each charism on a yearly rotational basis and ensure that not only are the images and symbols of both the Mercy and Presentation charisms are visible but that the ethos and values of the Sisters and foundresses are the foundation of our Faith journey.
The Religious Education Units of Work which are mandated by the Bishops of Western Australia are taught across all year levels each day. We embrace many opportunities throughout each school day to learn and know the ‘face of Jesus’ in all we say and do. Not words but deeds ~ Nano Nagle.
Throughout the school year, students are provided with many opportunities to participate in Masses, liturgies and class visits by our Parish Priest, Father Quynh Do. We offer a Sacramental Program which prepares the students to receive the Sacrament of Penance, the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Information Technology
High priority is given to the use of Information Technology at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School. Information Technology offers exciting and challenging ways of enhancing student learning. IT tools such as 1:1 iPads focus teaching and stimulate learning interaction in the classroom which in turn, can improve student understanding and personal productivity. Information Technology at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School is utilised in the context of meaningful tasks, so enhancing its effectiveness. Information technology has a high profile in the school and in 2017, the decision was made, after significant research and consultation with relevant stakeholders, to move to a 1:1 tablet device across all grades from Year One to Year Six. Appropriate provision of tablet devices is made in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary to accommodate their needs.
The one-to-one program has an emphasis on the iPad as a learning tool to foster and promote students with their capability to collaborate, share information, share experiences, work across the domains of our curriculum and to lead students to be able to be self-directed in their learning. The program is supported by teachers who have skills and expertise in understanding the curriculum that is to be covered and who are able to ensure that this curriculum is delivered in a manner that engages every child.
Our major responsibility in the next few years is not only to provide all students with an appropriate level of access to these tools, but also to change to a new and effective teaching and learning environment that incorporates these new technologies.
Support Education
Children at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School have access to support through their class teacher. Support staff cater for those students with individual learning needs as identified through the analysis of data. A comprehensive educational program is provided by the school to students from a variety of backgrounds. There is a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy which incorporates intervention and support for children who require extra assistance.
Languages
An Italian Language Program is provided at the school for children in Pre-Primary to Year Six through the Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre. This programme gives students the opportunity to learn about the culture and language of Italy.
Physical Education and Sport
A Physical Education teacher is employed at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School to ensure a well-balanced program is provided for the children. Each class has a minimum of 120 minutes per week; one 60-minute Physical Education lesson covering a whole range of skills, games and activities organised by the specialist teacher, one 50-minute Sport lesson organised by the class teacher and fitness sessions during the week.
Included in the sport programme, are swimming lessons through the Education Department In-Term Swimming Programme for students in Pre-Primary to Year 5, creative hip-hop dance program through Edu-Dance for students from Pre-Primary to Year 6, and associated interfaction and interschool sporting carnivals including cross countries, athletics and lightning carnivals.
Music
The Music Program at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School is committed to ensuring that all students are provided with the opportunity to access music programs consistent with their needs and talents. The program is designed to promote music appreciation through a wide variety of musical experiences and styles of music.
Religious Music plays an important role in choral singing at school. The students prepare for Mass using a variety of traditional and contemporary hymns and songs.
The choir is an integral part of the music program with students from Years 3-6 invited to participate. Choral singing affords children the opportunity to participate in both liturgical (through celebration of the sacraments) and performance-based modes (Performing Arts Festival) of musical instruction. The choir rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 8:00am – 8:30am in the multi-purpose room. Involvement in the choir requires a full commitment to attending rehearsals, liturgies and performances at Outreach Little Sisters, Belmont City College ANZAC Retirement Village and singing Christmas Carols at the Notre Dame Parish.
Science
Science is taught as a specialist subject at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School. In the Science Learning Area students learn to investigate, understand and communicate about the physical, biological and technological world and value the processes that support life on our planet. Science helps students to become critical thinkers by encouraging them to use evidence to evaluate the use of science in society and the application of science in daily life.
Makerspace
In the spirit of innovation and 21st century learning, the Makerspace program has evolved to meet the learning needs of our students; it has become a place to develop future skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, digital fluency and innovation through exploration of electronics, coding, designing and making.
The school’s strategic plan focuses on providing a contemporary approach to learning, maintaining a strong focus on meeting individual needs and integrating technology into the learning program. We saw the introduction of the Technologies curriculum as an opportunity to integrate digital and design technologies across other learning areas. Makerspace has been the vehicle in being able to engage in various components of STEAM education beyond that which is provided in the classroom.
One day per week the library transforms into a contemporary space that supports and encourages hands on activities and fosters creativity, problem solving and computational thinking. The open-ended tasks and creative challenges encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they engage in a range of STEAM-related activities.
During Makerspace sessions, the library space caters for students from Kindergarten to Year 6 who are challenged to seek solutions to problems. Students use their Makerspace time for collaborative group work, trial and error, and discovering and creating new ideas with tools and materials.
Visual Arts
Students experience and explore the concepts of artists and artworks in a visual arts program that is taught by our Art Specialist, Mrs Annette Flexman. Students learn in, through and about visual arts every term through their classroom teacher. They also have one Term a year with our Art Specialist who enables students from Kindy to Year 6 to continue to develop practical skills and critical thinking which inform their work as artists.
Edu-Dance
Edu-Dance is a creative hip-hop dance program that provides students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 with an opportunity to be part of a fun and energetic 10-week dance program. The program is part of the Physical and Health outcomes (Dance) for students and is led by fully qualified dance specialists. Each year level has a program specifically designed to suit their age group. The creative dance program is designed to improve the students’ levels of fitness and health in a challenging and fun environment. The dance routine is presented to the school community at the end of Term Three.
Extracurricular Programs
Notre Dame Catholic Primary School offers a range of Extra Curricular Activities. The holistic program is designed to enhance classroom learning by expanding the curriculum and helping children develop new skills and interests. The programs provide students with the opportunity to challenge themselves, enhance their learning and achieve in a variety of contexts.
Debating
Students at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School can nominate to participate in the Debating program which takes place after school on Wednesdays in Terms Two and Three. The program is an introduction to debating for students in Years 5 and 6 that provides training in the basic skills and structure of debating and gives students an opportunity to participate in ‘friendly’ debates. We live in a world where we communicate with others all the time. Debating is a formal way of communicating. It builds confidence and self-esteem in people.
We believe that if we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently and passionately, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives.
Enrichment Program
All students in Years 4-6 are given the opportunity to complete the ACER General Ability Test (AGAT) that identifies students’ general reasoning ability. The test assesses students’ reasoning skills in three areas:
- Verbal
- Numerical
- Abstract (visual)
Students who perform well are also selected by Teacher recommendation through class work and assessments to participate in the Enrichment Program.
Dance
The Notre Dame Extracurricular Dance program enables students of all abilities to participate in Contemporary/Hip Hop dance styles. The program caters for students from Year 1-6 inspiring boys and girls to strive for their full potential. Students are guided by teachers who are passionate about dance. Students who participate in the program are provided with an opportunity to perform at the annual Catholic Schools Performing Arts evening at the Perth Convention Centre. Through participation in dance, students develop performance skill, technical skill and gain confidence through teamwork and enjoyment.
Swimming Club
Notre Dame Swimming Club offers students the opportunity to train at Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre in Term One in preparation for the School and Interschool swimming competitions. The program is designed to cater for swimmers with a wide range of abilities and aspirations, from those who wish to train for fitness to those who wish to swim competitively for upcoming school events.
Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend and train with teachers and parents who volunteer their time.
Running Club
All students are welcome to participate in the Term 2 Running Club. The club provides a range of running and fitness activities before school for all students who wish to participate. These activities support the school and inter-school cross country programs.
Music Tuition
Music Tuition after school hours is provided by private qualified music teachers. Students from Kindy to Year 6 are offered music tuiton on piano and guitar. There are 10 lessons per term with each lesson 30 minutes in duration. The lessons are held at school in the multi-purpose room, students can use the school piano for their lesson but are expected to have a guitar if they choose to learn that instrument. If you would like more information about after school music tuition please contact Robin Evans by email: robin.evans@cewa.edu.au
Reading Club
Reading Club is an integral part of the Literacy Program at Notre Dame Catholic Primary School. Students in Years 3 and 4 are invited to read before school three days a week with classroom teachers. We aim to support children in need by providing individual assistance to develop and strengthen their reading skills.