LOWER SCHOOL

Lower School includes students from Nursery to Grade 5. Generally, students are considered for Boarding from the Grade 5 level, but this is based on particular circumstances and availability.

All classes are small, with teacher-pupil ratios below 12:1 in the lower grades, encouraging individual growth. Each class has a Homeroom teacher responsible for the pastoral care of students, and who keeps in close contact with parents. Homeroom classes meet daily, and are generally taught in their core subjects by the Homeroom teachers, with other classes taught by specialist teachers.

Nursery

Children who will be four years old by December are eligible for entry to the Nursery program. This foundation year is based on personal growth through exploration and dramatic play. The program aims to develop social abilities and promote confidence in learning. Constant attention is given to developing and affirming self-reliance, powers of reasoning, planning and the learning of basic classroom routines. Nursery classes run for the first two school blocks in the morning.

Kindergarten

Children who will be five years old by December are eligible for entry to the Kindergarten program. The program builds on the Nursery program, with objectives including the development of social and emotional behavior and an introduction to the formal school curriculum in the foundations of language, literacy and number skills. The Kindergarten classes run for three blocks daily, ending at lunchtime

Art

Art is a very important means of encouraging personal expression, developing fine motor skills and learning an appreciation of a key means of communication. Key techniques taught in the Lower School include pointillism, collage, sculpture and composition. Throughout the learning of skills great emphasis is placed on the cognitive aspects: thinking outside the box, expression, ‘seeing rather than looking’, creativity. Students, just as importantly, have fun!

English

The English program builds reading, listening, speaking and writing skills through varied classroom activities which link and integrate these through a range of processes, including performance, research, guided activities and classroom teaching. Reading, spelling and vocabulary programs operate through Nursery to Grade 5, allowing students to be assessed at a particular level then receive individual assistance to allow them to progress at their own pace. This focus on individual needs allows teachers to teach, assess and report more accurately on student progress. Students are exposed to a variety of literature forms, improving their comprehension skills and encouraging the application of the techniques of writing and grammar in context. Library periods are regular features. In the higher grades students study novels in depth, do individual book reports and learn to respond in both writing and orally.

Mathematics

The Math program in the Lower School is designed to help students see the subject as an integral, interesting part of everyday life. The program is a careful progression of concepts and skills that help students relate the concrete to the abstract. The concepts and skills of problem solving, estimation, basic operations, place value, time, money, measurements, geometry, fractions and algebra are covered between Grades 1 and 5. The approach to all topics is investigative and emphasizes mastering basics, using and applying Mathematic strategies, communicating mathematically and reasoning. By Grade 5 students will be working with decimals and fractions, using expressions, estimating and rounding, handling and graphing data, and studying geometry.

Social Studies

These courses aim to integrate a number of subject areas through the philosophy of encouraging students to be good custodians of our Earth and responsible members of their societies. Geography, History, current events and Economics are featured in all Grades. The approach is broad, research and discovery are encouraged and critical thought is highly valued.

Units of study progress through a focus on oneself, family and community in Grades K – 3, the USA in Grade 4 and Europe in Grade 5. Each course focuses attention on a key question then uses a strand in Social Studies to cover the topic in depth. Most units result in the production of concrete materials – projects, models, written reports, and others.

Science

Science is divided into four main categories, each of which is covered in every Grade: Life Sciences teaches about living things and ecology; Physical Science covers the properties of matter and energy; Earth Sciences covers space, earth and weather; Biology explores ‘Learning about Me’. Each Grade builds on previous work. Laboratory work is important and other practical work takes place on our campus.

Religious Studies

Courses in the early years aim to introduce students through Bible stories to teaching about God and his creation, to Jesus as Son of God, and the sacraments of Baptism and Communion. The material studied becomes broader in scope and context through the grades, reflecting student’s growing understanding, and ends in Grade 5 with a study of evangelism in the Middle Ages (the Crusades) and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Physical Education

Physical education aims to develop a positive outlook in students by raising their fitness levels, physical skills and attitudes. They learn to participate safely and competently in a variety of modified sports, some of which form part of the regular House Games structure. Fair play and leadership are emphasized.

Health

The health curriculum looks at personal and community health, and changes in emphasis from ‘Me and my Body’ through to ‘Making Responsible Decisions’. Relationship issues and Diet are also covered. A further aspect is the emphasis on group skills, fostered by a regular outdoor activity program.

Music

Elementary music introduces the basic concepts of speech, rhythm and melody. Various instruments and styles of music are introduced. Class work includes singing, improvisations, instrumental experiences and game playing. Individual tutorials are also available in many instruments. Opportunities are available for solo and group performances, particularly through school productions and recitals.