Key learning areas
Scroll down to find out more about the Key Learning Areas (KLAs) at St Joseph's.
religious education
St Joseph’s Primary School was founded under the guidance and direction of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The Sisters of St Joseph have a strong tradition and lasting educational legacy Australia-wide. At St Joseph’s Culcairn we are aware of our history and continue to build on these traditions of Faith.
Our school, along with all schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, use the Educational Curriculum Document “Sharing Our Story”. It is the core resource from which we teach. Our school celebrates major Feast Days, recognises key times of the Liturgical calendar and reflects important ecumenical activities.
School Masses
A very important part of our school life is when we celebrate mass together. Classes take responsibility and students have leadership roles in the Mass.
It is very important for students to have parents attend school masses. I invite you to attend for yourself, but I also invite you to attend for your child.
At St Joseph’s Primary School we have Religious Education classes daily. We welcome and respect students of other religions and we expect them to participate in our Religious Education lessons. Within each person we aim to engender a deep respect for themselves and for others through their relationship with Jesus.
Sacramental Programmes
We conduct Parish based Sacramental programmes. The Sacraments are conducted every year with Confirmation being held in even years.
Students in Year 3 are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then to receive the sacrament of Eucharist. Students in Years 5/6 receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on a biannual basis.
Our school, along with all schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, use the Educational Curriculum Document “Sharing Our Story”. It is the core resource from which we teach. Our school celebrates major Feast Days, recognises key times of the Liturgical calendar and reflects important ecumenical activities.
School Masses
A very important part of our school life is when we celebrate mass together. Classes take responsibility and students have leadership roles in the Mass.
It is very important for students to have parents attend school masses. I invite you to attend for yourself, but I also invite you to attend for your child.
At St Joseph’s Primary School we have Religious Education classes daily. We welcome and respect students of other religions and we expect them to participate in our Religious Education lessons. Within each person we aim to engender a deep respect for themselves and for others through their relationship with Jesus.
Sacramental Programmes
We conduct Parish based Sacramental programmes. The Sacraments are conducted every year with Confirmation being held in even years.
Students in Year 3 are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then to receive the sacrament of Eucharist. Students in Years 5/6 receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on a biannual basis.
mathematics
At St Joseph’s Primary School our Mathematics programme seeks to combine the attainment of skills with the development of an understanding of mathematical concepts in all areas. Mathematics lessons incorporate, fun, inquiry, persistence and problem solving to provide rich learning challenges for all students.
Learning and Teaching in Mathematics encompasses the following strands:
Number and Algebra
• develop efficient strategies to calculate numbers
• recognize and describe patterns and relationships between mathematics concepts
Measurement and Geometry
• identify and visualize the attributes of shapes and objects
• explore measurement concepts and geometric relationships
• apply formulas, strategies and geometric reasoning to problem solve
Statistics and Probability
• collect, represent, analyse, interpret and evaluate data
• assign and use probabilities when analysing data
• make sound judgements about problem solving
Working Mathematically
In all strands and sub-strands of Mathematics, students engage in reasoning, questioning, applying strategies, communicating and reflecting.
Instructional Teacher - Mathematics and Extending Mathematics Understanding (EMU) Intervention Teacher
At St Joseph’s we have a dedicated Instructional Mathematics Teacher whose role it is to enhance mathematical understanding throughout the School. This person undertakes professional development with the staff and aims to improve both practice and understanding of both teachers and students.
We also have a dedicated Extending Mathematics Intervention program that targets students who have been identified as needing extra assistance in different areas of their mathematics.
Learning and Teaching in Mathematics encompasses the following strands:
Number and Algebra
• develop efficient strategies to calculate numbers
• recognize and describe patterns and relationships between mathematics concepts
Measurement and Geometry
• identify and visualize the attributes of shapes and objects
• explore measurement concepts and geometric relationships
• apply formulas, strategies and geometric reasoning to problem solve
Statistics and Probability
• collect, represent, analyse, interpret and evaluate data
• assign and use probabilities when analysing data
• make sound judgements about problem solving
Working Mathematically
In all strands and sub-strands of Mathematics, students engage in reasoning, questioning, applying strategies, communicating and reflecting.
Instructional Teacher - Mathematics and Extending Mathematics Understanding (EMU) Intervention Teacher
At St Joseph’s we have a dedicated Instructional Mathematics Teacher whose role it is to enhance mathematical understanding throughout the School. This person undertakes professional development with the staff and aims to improve both practice and understanding of both teachers and students.
We also have a dedicated Extending Mathematics Intervention program that targets students who have been identified as needing extra assistance in different areas of their mathematics.
english
At St Joseph’s Primary School we believe that growth in literacy skills is an individual process, therefore programmes are structured to provide for your child’s continued learning journey. We encourage you to read to your child and to listen to their thoughts and ideas.
Speaking and Listening
We can facilitate students’ spoken language development in the following ways:
- encouraging talking and listening in pairs, small groups and whole class/school situations
- ensuring that students have time to talk with teachers and other adults
- teaching students about the different ways to ask questions in order to clarify meaning, enhance understanding or elicit information
- teaching students how to be active listeners
- encouraging students to recount events, retell stories, describe, explain and ask questions.
Reading
The main components of our reading programme are:
- Instructional Reading - to develop skills in the reading process
- Modelled Reading - to provide modelling of a wide variety of literature
- Independent Reading - to foster a love of reading for pleasure, recreation and gaining knowledge
- Responding to Reading - to allow students to respond to reading in a variety of ways e.g. through drama, art, music
- Reading in all Key Learning Areas
Writing
The main components of our writing programme are:
- Modelled writing - to demonstrate the writing process and strategies for reviewing writing
- Manipulating print - writing daily for a purpose
- Conferencing - to discuss with students, individually or in groups, the writing process including style, format, grammar and punctuation
- Publishing of children’s work
Spelling
Spelling is an integral part of our Reading and Writing programmes. We use “Words Their Way” across the school. Spelling lists used by the students can be composed from:
- words students use in their writing
- theme words
- words frequently misspelt by students
Handwriting
At St Joseph’s Primary School the NSW Foundation style of handwriting is taught and regularly practised. As per the NSW English Syllabus.
Instructional Teacher - Literacy
At St Joseph’s we have a dedicated Instructional English Teacher whose role it is to enhance literacy understanding throughout the School. This person undertakes professional development with the staff and aims to improve both practice and understanding of both teachers and students.
We also have a dedicated Reading Recovery Intervention program that targets students who have been identified as needing extra assistance in the area of reading.
Speaking and Listening
We can facilitate students’ spoken language development in the following ways:
- encouraging talking and listening in pairs, small groups and whole class/school situations
- ensuring that students have time to talk with teachers and other adults
- teaching students about the different ways to ask questions in order to clarify meaning, enhance understanding or elicit information
- teaching students how to be active listeners
- encouraging students to recount events, retell stories, describe, explain and ask questions.
Reading
The main components of our reading programme are:
- Instructional Reading - to develop skills in the reading process
- Modelled Reading - to provide modelling of a wide variety of literature
- Independent Reading - to foster a love of reading for pleasure, recreation and gaining knowledge
- Responding to Reading - to allow students to respond to reading in a variety of ways e.g. through drama, art, music
- Reading in all Key Learning Areas
Writing
The main components of our writing programme are:
- Modelled writing - to demonstrate the writing process and strategies for reviewing writing
- Manipulating print - writing daily for a purpose
- Conferencing - to discuss with students, individually or in groups, the writing process including style, format, grammar and punctuation
- Publishing of children’s work
Spelling
Spelling is an integral part of our Reading and Writing programmes. We use “Words Their Way” across the school. Spelling lists used by the students can be composed from:
- words students use in their writing
- theme words
- words frequently misspelt by students
Handwriting
At St Joseph’s Primary School the NSW Foundation style of handwriting is taught and regularly practised. As per the NSW English Syllabus.
Instructional Teacher - Literacy
At St Joseph’s we have a dedicated Instructional English Teacher whose role it is to enhance literacy understanding throughout the School. This person undertakes professional development with the staff and aims to improve both practice and understanding of both teachers and students.
We also have a dedicated Reading Recovery Intervention program that targets students who have been identified as needing extra assistance in the area of reading.
For further information, please contact the office .