Curriculum

At Connells Point Public School, teachers implement the Department of Education and Training’s curriculum policies and syllabus documents and endeavour to adapt them to our school's specific needs. We assess these state-wide policies and aim to relate them to the needs of the individual student through suitable school-based programs.

Academic

The school is proud of its academic standards and we encourage excellence at all times. The annual Presentation Day ceremony, for Stages 2 & 3, gives individual recognition and awards for meritorious performances in all spheres of academic studies.

There are six key learning areas in our curriculum. Details of each KLA is available from the Board of Studies website at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.

English

In this Key Learning Area (KLA) students develop knowledge, skills and understandings about English language and literature.   K - 6 syllabuses in NSW are organised in broad stages that describe the sequence of learning experiences through which students will progress.  The outcomes and content in the English K - 6 syllabus are organised in three strands:-

       Talking and Listening

       Reading

       Writing

Talking, listening, reading and writing are interrelated.   Each one contributes to the development of the others.   Learning English involves developing both the ability to use language effectively for a range of purposes and the ability to talk about the language being used.

Mathematics

The outcomes and content in the Mathematics K - 6 syllabus are organised in six strands:-

       Working Mathematically            

       Number                                    

       Measurement

       Patterns and Algebra

       Data                

       Space and Geometry

As students progress through stages, they will:-

       appreciate mathematics as an essential and relevant part of life

       develop their ability to work mathematically

       develop their knowledge, understanding and skills related to Space, Measurement and Number.

Human Society & Its Environment (HSIE)

This key learning area enables the child to acquire information, participate in social and civic life and learn to use an inquiry process.   It is concerned with people and their relationships with others and their environment.   Experiences are aimed at developing concepts, processes, feelings, values and action patterns that underlie effective citizenship in our society.

Creative and Practical Arts

In this Key Learning Area the child’s creative skills and talents are developed while individual expression is encouraged and promoted.   The strands of this KLA are:

       Visual Arts - making and appreciating

       Music - performing, organising sound and listening

       Drama - making, performing and appreciating

       Dance - performing, composing and appreciating.

Science & Technology

In this Key Learning Area students learn about the natural and made environments by investigating, by designing and making and by using technology.   Learning in Science and Technology will draw on and contribute to learning related to the other five Key Learning Areas.

Computer education is an established part of the Science & Technology curriculum at Connells Point.    A K - 6 computer education program has been devised by the staff and full use is made of the Computer Room next to the Library to implement this program.

Physical Development, Health and Physical Education

This Key Learning Area is based on a broad notion of health. It encompasses all aspects of an individual’s wellbeing, inclusive of social, mental, physical and spiritual health. The subject is concerned with developing in students the knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to adopt and lead healthy and fulfilling lives. It also provides for teaching and learning related to the major health priorities of student physical activity and fitness, nutrition, child protection education, road safety education and drug education.

K-2 students enjoy using the fixed equipment, keeping active at lunchtime

Special School Programs

Sport

We are proud of the way our sporting teams represent Connells Point in inter-school and district competitions. They have a tradition of displaying not only a high performance level, but also good sportsmanship and school spirit

Annual sporting events generate great interest and enthusiasm in the children as they strive to win for their sporting houses.  The talented children have the opportunity to represent the school at district, regional and state level in swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals.

Literary Award

Stage 2 and 3 children are encouraged to attend writing workshops and submit a piece of published writing for judging for the senior and junior literary awards which are presented on Presentation Night.

Public Speaking

This competition is held annually throughout the school. Students are trained in presenting prepared and impromptu speeches. Beginning at class level, each child will have the opportunity to represent the class at grade level and then to progress to the junior or senior final.

This challenging competition culminates in a Speak Off with Stage winners presenting their speeches. Winners go through to represent the school in area competitions.

Music

Connells Point is very proud of its achievements in music, with our bands and choirs performing at a high level at various events throughout the year.  Children in our school from Year 4 onwards have the opportunity to audition for selection in our bands, where they will learn a musical instrument.   We are fortunate to own a wide variety of resources to support this program. We have both a training and a concert band. The bands perform at school assemblies, music festivals, in other schools, at the Opera House and at community and Education Department functions.

In addition to our proficient instrumentalists, we have many children involved in our junior and senior school choirs. These groups are involved in a variety of internal and external musical performances at school, district and regional level.

The senior choir performs at the dedication of the Memorial Garden

Assessing and Reporting

During Term 1, a Class Information Night is held to provide parents with information from their child’s teacher about curriculum, homework and organisational routines to be implemented during the year.

Children's progress is continually monitored throughout the year by observation, checklists, class and grade tests.  Individual Parent/Teacher interviews are organised in Term 2 to accompany the Semester 1 reports and assessment portfolios, but there is always the opportunity for parents to talk to teachers at any time by making an appointment when the need arises.   Student reports are issued to parents again in December.  

As well as the comprehensive assessment undertaken by our teachers at school, there is also a wide range of external testing which provides additional information for parents and teachers.

Students in Years 3 and 5 take part in Basic Skills Tests in literacy, numeracy and writing. Parents receive a detailed report of their child’s performance. Students from Years 3 to 6 have the opportunity to sit for the Australian Schools Competitions in English, mathematics, science and computer studies. In Year 4, the OC test allows gifted and talented students to compete for placement in an Opportunity Class, a selective class for academically gifted students. In Year 6, students are able to undertake the Selective High School Test for placement in a selective high school in Year 7.

A special invitation is extended to all parents during Education Week to visit the school, participate in student-led conferences and view classroom displays of children's work.

Please Note:

School organisation and general routines are subject to change.  You will be notified of any significant changes throughout the year.