St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Portland follows the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) Curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6 and the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) Religious Education Curriculum.

The school focuses on the development of the whole child - academically, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually - with Catholic values underpinning everything we do. This holistic approach to education is defined by our policies, practices and relationships to ensure that each child in our school is safe, engaged, supported and challenged. Staff recognise that every child is unique and learns differently.

PRIMARY STAGES AND KEY LEARNING AREAS

Kindergarten to Year 6 (K–6) includes four stages of learning:

  • Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten
  • Stage 1 – Year 1 and Year 2
  • Stage 2 – Year 3 and Year 4
  • Stage 3 – Year 5 and Year 6

There are six Key Learning Areas (KLAs) for primary schools. They are:

Religious Education

Religious Education is at the heart of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. It informs all aspects of school life and contributes to the mission of the Catholic Church in announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

While recognising that parents are the first educators of their children in faith, Religious Education in the Primary years enables young people to see and respond to God in their lives. Children are invited to reflect on Sacred Scripture, talk with God through prayer, discover the beauty of God’s creation and explore the meaning of symbols and rituals. Above all other things, this is a time when students come to know how much God loves them, and when they are drawn into a love of God and others.

English

The aim of English is to enable students to understand and use language effectively, appreciate, reflect on and enjoy the English language and to make meaning in ways that are imaginative, creative, interpretive, critical and powerful.

Through responding to and composing a wide range of texts and through the close study of texts, students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills in order to:

  • Communicate through speaking, listening, reading, writing viewing and representing
  • Use language to shape and make meaning according to purpose, audience and context
  • Think in ways that are imaginative, creative, interpretive and critical 
  • Express themselves and their relationships with others and their world 
  • Learn and reflect on their learning through their study of English.

Mathematics

The aim of Mathematics is for students to:

  • Be confident, creative users and communicators of Mathematics, able to investigate, represent and interpret situations in their personal and work lives and as active citizens
  • Develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency with mathematical processes, and be able to pose and solve problems and reason in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability
  • Recognise connections between the areas of Mathematics and other disciplines and appreciate Mathematics as an accessible, enjoyable discipline to study, and an important aspect of lifelong learning.

Human Society and its Environment

History

The aim of the History syllabus is to stimulate students’ interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past, to develop a critical understanding of the past and its impact on the present, to develop the critical skills of historical inquiry and to enable students to participate as active, informed and responsible citizens.

Geography

The aim of Geography is to stimulate students’ interest in and engagement with the world. Through geographical inquiry they develop an understanding of the interactions between people, places and environments across a range of scales in order to become informed, responsible and active citizens


Science and Technology

The study of Science and Technology enables students to explore scientific and technological concepts and develop knowledge and understanding of the world: enabling them to inquire, plan, investigate and develop solutions to problems. Through the application of Working Scientifically, and Design and Production skills, students develop an interest in and an enthusiasm for understanding nature, phenomena and the built environment.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

The study of PDHPE aims to enable students to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes required to lead and promote healthy, safe and active lives.

Creative Arts

The study of Creative Arts enables young people to engage with and enjoy exploring expressive forms, ideas and values. The creative arts provide opportunities to enchant, explore, investigate and respond to the world through making and performing.