Chipala - Kindergarten

Yackatoon - Years 1 and 2

Mereki - Years 4 , 5 and 6

Murrumbidgee and  Molonglo - Years 3 and 4

 

Chipala

Welcome to Chipala. Chipala is an Aboriginal word meaning 'Whistling duck'. In Chipala unit there are two kindergarten classes. The two classroom teachers are Ainsley Sims and Julie Williams. Rowan Simpkin is the executive teacher for the junior school and works very closely with teachers, students and parents to support positive learning outcomes.

Four mornings a week the students spend time in Investigations. During 'Investigations' the students are able to choose an area of interest to extend their knowledge and skills. Each investigation area is designed with a specific purpose in mind. The students' writing program is directly linked to this, allowing them to write about their real life experiences.

Throughout the day during literacy sessions, the students spend time on explicit reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing activities. Mathematical concepts and language are developed through students using concrete manipulatives. A vast range of resource materials and cooperative group organisations are also utilised to provide a wide variety of mathematical experiences.

The students have many opportunities to participate in a diverse range of physical activities including; fitness, ball skills, movement cooperation,team games and gross motor skill development. Chipala's specialist physical education teacher is Brooke Wood and all students participate in fortnightly education classes that promote physical and human development. Each class is involved in classroom daily physical education activities with their teacher.

Chipala students and teachers work hard to follow the school Tribe Community Agreements of;mutual respect, attentive listening, appreciations/no put downs, personal best and personal responsibility and the right to pass - the right to participate. These agreements are used to build positive relationships and foster a sense of belonging and safety at school.

Parental assistance in Chipala unit is always encouraged. We always need parents to assist by listening to students read, changing home readers and accompanying us on excursions.

Throughout the year there are many opportunities for families to visit our classroom and celebrate in your child's learning.

Yackatoon

Welcome to Yackatoon. Yackatoon is an Aboriginal word meaning "happy place" and reflects the ambience of the unit. There are four year 1/2 classes in Yackatoon and the classroom teachers are Ben McCarthy, Leigh Rhodes, Susan Lance , Sharon Smith and Rowan Simpkin.

Rowan Simpkin  is the executive teacher for the junior school. Yackatoon's specialist Physcial Education teacher is Brooke Wood and all students participate in weekly physical education classes that promote physical and human sevelopment. Sarah Fletcher is the specialist Science teacher who uses the Australian Curriculum to design a program to engage students in science.

Following on from Kindergarten, Yackatoon students participate in four morning sessions a week doing 'investigations'. The investigation areas of dramatic and sensory play, collage creation, writing, reading, construction and special interest areas are linked to explicit literacy and numeracy concepts taught throughout the week. These explicit lessons are delivered through whole class, small group and individual instruction.

   

Students have many opportunities to develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. In mathematics, the curriculum used is the "Count Me In Too" program supported by a computer resource.  Students engage in data, time , measurment, masss/volume activities.

Home reading is important to the development of students' reading skills and we encourage all students to participate in the home reading program. Parent helpers are always welcome to assist in listening to children read.

A safe and caring culture is created and sustained in Yackatoon by students and teachers through the use of the Tribes and Community Learning Agreements of  mutual respect, attentive listening, appreciations/no put downs, personal best and personal responsibility and the right to pass - the right to participate.

Mereki 

Welcome to Mereki Unit. We have three wonderful classes in Mereki unit this year and the classroom teachers are; Andrew Merz 5/6M, Jocelyn Guest 5/6G and Alex Speirs- Rodriguez 4/5S.

Mereki means 'peacemakers' and as the leaders of the school we will be sure to uphold this title. Throughout the year Mereki students will be able to participate in many exciting extra curricula activities including 5/6 camp, Active Aussies, Band and West African Drumming Circles.

The Mereki unit daily routine consists of an intensive literacy block throughout the morning, a focus on mathematics in the middle session and an intergrated unit of work in the afternoon session. The key learning areas of Spanish and science are explicitly taught by specialist teachers and students participate in these programs once a week.

The Cooperative Research and Investigations Space (CRIS), is used as an area designated for students to work on group projects, cooperative learning activities, internet research and computer activities.

In Mereki, the process of building a caring and secure learning culture is supported by students and teachers through the Tribes Community Agreements of; mutual respect, appreciation/no put downs, the right to pass - the right participate, attentive listening and personal best and person responsibility.

2013 promises to be a year full of exciting opportunities and interesting learning in Mereki.

Molonglo and Murrumbidgee

In Molonglo and Murrumbidgee there are three year 3/4 classes. The names, Murrumbidgee and Molonglo are well known regional rivers flowing into the Murray Darling Basin. The 3/4 Unit teachers are; Natalie Hogan, Joanne Herstik , Jennifer Riley and Dean Stewart. Natalie Hogan is the middle and senior school executive teacher who works closely with students, teachers and parents to support all learning outcomes

Teachers meet weekly for formal sessions to plan teaching programs to ensure consistency of practice across the 3/4 classes. Explicit literacy and numeracy lessons are taught throughout the week and are delivered through whole class, small group or individual instruction. Different student learning styles and abilities are catered to through the use of cooperative learning strategies and differentiation. All learning activities are aligned to Australian Curriculum outcomes.

Integrated units of work incorporate aspects from other key learning areas including; studies of society and environment (SOSE), English, Mathematics, The Arts, Physical Education and Science and Technology. Each fortnight students participate in one specialised session of Science, Health and Physical Education. Students participate in one Spanish session weekly.

Students are encouraged to particpate in extra curricula activities. This year students will have the opportuinty to take part in; district representative sporting trials, the garden program, senior master chef, sport gala days, school carnivals, unit assemblies, the year 3/4 camp, excursions and buddies with junior school students.

The Tribes Community Agreements of mutual respect, attentive listening, appreciations/no put downs, personal best and personal responsibility and the right to pass - the right to participate support the process of building a caring, safe and collaborative learning culture in the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Units.