Curriculum

Our diverse and comprehensive curriculum adheres to the guidelines recommended by the NSW Board of Studies in all Key Learning Areas.

The curriculum is based upon the premise that all students should have access to subjects that will broaden their experiences and assist them to reach their individual potential.

Traditional subjects with literacy and numeracy components at their core are taught at all levels, whilst our Differentiated Curriculum incorporates subjects aimed at developing process thinking skills and includes curriculum topics related to the local and global community.

The Primary School provides an up-to-date computer laboratory and comprehensive library to assist students to develop proficient information literacy skills.

An additional pod of laptop computers are available for student use, with interactive whiteboards gradually being installed in classrooms.

Students from Years 3 to 6 are also provided with the opportunity to participate in The University of New South Wales annual Primary Mathematics, English, Science, Writing and Computer Skills competitions.

Homework

Homework is set on a regular basis for all students in Years 1 to 6.

At Scots we feel that the early development of good time management skills, working habits and ethics are a vital part of a students’ ability to achieve personal goals.

We endeavour at all times to make homework interesting, consistent and relevant by catering for different learning styles.  For example, in the subject area of Human Society & Its Environment (HSIE), Bloom’s Taxonomy, Howard Gardiner’s Multiple Intelligences and De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats are all used to create assignment grids that are both challenging and engaging for the students.

Project briefs created from these principles are completed either within school time or at home.

Reporting to Parents

Scots actively encourages and welcomes parents to be involved in their child’s education.

Some of the opportunities that enable parents to receive up-to-date information on their child's progress include:

• Parent Teacher interviews (Terms 1 & 3)
• Computerised reports (provided at the end of Terms 2 & 4)
• Parent involvement in the classroom (where parents have the opportunity to work with groups of students) through various literacy and numeracy programs.

Core Curriculum

Yrs K-6

• English
• Mathematics
• HS.I.E. (Human Society & Its Environment)
• Science and Technology

A specialist Science teacher coordinates and teaches this core area within the Primary School.  Each Home Room teacher is present in the classroom during these lessons, which helps to establish a team teaching environment.

This association enables complex activities to be more fully investigated and explored, assisting the student to acquire better understanding and in depth knowledge.

The Science teacher, who is also the Information Technology Co-ordinator, assists teachers to plan, teach and integrate computer technology into the curriculum.  Technology is seen as an essential tool which is utilised wherever possible to enhance learning and teaching at the School.

Specialist Teacher Subjects

Early Stage 1/Stage 1/Stage 2 - Yrs K-4

• Biblical Studies
• Health
• Information Technology
• Japanese
• Library
• Music
• Violin/Strings
• Performing Arts
• PDHPE (Personal Development, Health & Physical Education)
• Science
• Visual Arts

Stage 3 - Yrs 5-6

• Biblical Studies
• Design Technology [Year 6 only, one semester]
• Food Technology [Year 6 only, one semester]
• French
• Health
• Information Technology
• Japanese
• Library
• Music
• Orchestra Band/Strings Program
• PDHPE (Personal Development, Health & Physical Education)
• Performing Arts
• Science
• Visual Arts

Challenge Program (Learning Support)

At Scots, a dedicated teacher in conjunction with a Teacher’s Assistant, is allocated to this significant area of educational development.

The Challenge Program incorporating the Bridges Program, the Gifted and Talented Students Program and Tournament of Minds, supports intellectual development across a broad range of the curriculum.

These programs are of varying duration and are conducted either within or outside the classroom environment, depending upon the individual students’ needs.

• The Bridges Program is undertaken individually with students experiencing literacy difficulties.
• The Gifted and Talented Students Program involves students working in monitored multi-age groups on topics that require advanced cognitive and problem solving skills.
• Tournament of Minds is a stimulating enrichment activity requiring a team of seven senior primary students to plan, prepare and deliver, a time bound response to a hypothetical problem.  Participating students in the Tournament have the opportunity to compete in the Regional Championships. 
• Mathematics Challenge Day involves talented Year 5 & 6 students completing complex mathematical problems in competition with other local schools.
• The Victorian Chess Championships provides our students with the opportunity to test themselves against other schools in this traditional game of strategy and skill.