Student learning
At Auburn Primary School developing strong literacy and numeracy skills, ensuring learning growth for all students, is a focus and goal in our current Strategic Plan.
Our philosophy
Our teaching and learning philosophy encourages children to:
- ask questions, be curious and creative
- take responsibility for their behaviours and a pride in their achievements
- develop an awareness of the learning strategies which enable them to become independent, lifelong learners
- develop effective decision making, problem solving and critical thinking skills
- be socially connected and develop acceptable social skills
- learn to operate effectively as a part of a team
- undertake leadership roles through a variety of whole-school and classroom responsibilities and opportunities
- strive to perform to the best of their abilities.
We take an inquiry approach to learning, moving from student interest to the unknown, actively involving students in the learning process.
Lifelong learning is fostered for all members of the school community. It is both collaborative and independent, following individual pathways to the future. Diverse learning styles, interests and abilities are catered for through flexible teaching styles. Learning happens through participation in engaging, meaningful curriculum incorporating both broad curriculum and relevant life skills. It promotes creative thinking and problem solving and participation.
Technology plays an important role in accessing the curriculum for all students and we aim to continue to stay abreast of technological developments and apply them to meet students’ learning needs.
Literacy and numeracy
We identify students’ zone of proximal development for literacy and numeracy teaching, and explicitly plan to progress each students’ learning, along a developmental continuum, providing ‘just in time’ teaching and experiences that continue to challenge and engage.
We use the Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop approaches, encouraging students to have agency in their learning, as well as target their point of need in order to ensure growth for each student.
Within each workshop lesson, students will tune in to the learning intentions and success criteria, have some time for independent work, and have focused clinics and/or conferences in small groups or individually to move their learning forward.
Word Study, incorporating phonological awareness, phonics, spelling patterns, grammar and other language conventions, is included in our literacy teaching blocks, linking both to Reading and Writing.
At Auburn Primary School we see Numeracy as an area that students can develop the dispositions of curiosity, persistence, collaboration, reflective, flexible and open-minded thinking. We embrace the 4 mathematical proficiencies of Problem Solving, Fluency, Reasoning and Understanding, all of which are incorporated into the curriculum strands of Number and Algebra, Statistics and Probability and Measurement and Geometry.
Our approach to Mathematics is research-informed and based on the fundamentals of mathematics while recognising the importance of connecting and applying our students’ knowledge and understanding in the world around them.
Specialist programs
At Auburn Primary School, all students participate in specialist classes across the week.
Performing Arts
Auburn Primary School’s Performing Arts program encompasses the Music, Drama and Dance elements of the curriculum. The whole school production, held biennially, provides all students with the opportunity to bring together their skills in these areas and perform to family and friends.
Visual Arts
Auburn Primary School’s Visual Arts program encompasses the Visual and Media Arts elements of the curriculum.
Language Other Than English (LOTE) – Mandarin
At Auburn Primary School, students learn Chinese (Mandarin) as their language other than English. The establishment of a sister school relationship with Hanzhong Longgang School has helped enhance this program and provides the opportunity for students to use their language learning in a real and relevant way.
Physical Education
In Health and Physical Education, students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to strengthen their sense of self, and build and manage relationships. The curriculum helps them to be resilient, and to make decisions and take actions to promote their health, safety and physical activity participation.
Movement is a powerful medium for learning, through which students can acquire, practise and refine personal, behavioural, social and cognitive skills. The Health and Physical Education curriculum addresses how contextual factors influence the health, safety, wellbeing, and physical activity patterns of individuals, groups and communities.
