Curriculum
At Highvale, our students and the successful achievement of expected learning outcomes across a broad curriculum is at the centre of our work. To achieve this, our school provides a developmental teaching and learning program which draws upon the common set of knowledge, skills and capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum.
Evidence based, high impact teaching practices are utilised across every aspect of our teaching to support the developmental learning needs of each student. Our skilful and passionate teachers work collaboratively to develop specific teaching and learning programs using careful analysis of student progress through comprehensive assessment. Units of work and individual lessons are purposefully planned to extend, challenge and support each individual’s needs and abilities. Vital to 21st century learners, our students are supported to be critical thinkers, collaborative workers, and resilient and inquisitive individuals.
The structure of our curriculum is carefully mapped, reviewed and evaluated each year to ensure it reflects the needs of our students and the fidelity of the Victorian Curriculum.
Find out more by joining our principal on a school tour and reading below.
English
The foundations of English are explicitly taught daily in a two and a half hour block across the school. Junior classes (Prep to Year 2) are supported through the Little Learners Love Literacy program. This is an evidence based synthetic phonics program, which ensures all students develop the necessary building blocks to support their Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Structured activities allow students daily practice to embed and consolidate these foundational Literacy skills.
Senior classes (Year 3 to 6) participate in explicit Literacy teaching. This is focussed on the Comprehension Strategy instruction which allows for specific and targeted teaching based on students’ needs.
Our teaching practices are carefully informed by evidence-based practices and research including Early and Middle Years research, 6+1 Traits for writing, and TESMC (Teaching EAL students in the Mainstream Classroom).
Mathematics
Teaching of Mathematics at Highvale is scheduled daily and based upon the developmental needs of students, as informed by assessment and the content of the Victorian Curriculum. This includes the development of knowledge and skills in the content areas of Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability. Through the teaching of concepts within these content areas, quality learning tasks are designed to ensure students develop their mathematical proficiency in the areas Fluency, Understanding, Problem Solving and Reasoning.
Our teaching incorporates the use of a range of technologies, materials for hands on learning as well as our wonderful outdoor learning environment. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to participate in several enrichment and extension programs including the Maths Olympiad, John Monash Maths Enrichment and ICAS.
Digital Technologies and Robotics
Technology, including coding and robotics, are our present and future and all students at Highvale learn to be responsible users of such technologies. Cyber safety is taught explicitly and regularly to all students.
Highvale has an outstanding range of technologies available to students, including our 3D Printers, Dash Robots, BeeBots and Probots, Lego WeDo and EV3 robots, iPads and laptops. Students learn to code, program, and engineer solutions to problems using apps such as Scratch, Tynker, and Hopscotch.
Senior students can be involved in the Robotics Club which further enhances critical thinking and teamwork skills. An on-site technician provides expertise and support.
STEAM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics
Learning in STEAM provides further opportunities for creative, rich learning experiences through our specialist program. STEAM includes the Victorian Curriculum areas of Science, Digital Technologies (Technology) Design Technologies (Engineering), Visual Art and Media Art (Art) and Mathematics. Students learn about the connections between these learning areas and learn multidisciplinary skills to produce responses to real life, challenge based problems.
Performing Arts
Students participate in weekly lessons in Performing Arts which encompasses playing instruments, singing, dance, and drama. Additionally, they can elect to participate in one-on-one instrumental tuition in a range of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Musicians can also participate in our two concert bands and our school choir.
Our biannual school production allows all students the opportunity to shine on stage in a genuine theatre setting.
Physical Education
Students participate in weekly Physical Education lessons, to develop their gross motor and movement skills, as well as a range of skills necessary to enable participation and enjoyment in a range of games and sports. Through Physical Education, students are encourage to keep active and live healthy lives through learning about physical, emotional and social health.
Physical Education also prepares our students for opportunities and events including:
Tabloid Sports
Twilight Sports
Intra-School Sport Program
Inter-School Team Sports
District and State Level Events
Intensive Swimming Program
Languages
All students at Highvale are offered the choice of learning German or Mandarin each week. We are one of only a few Victorian primary schools to offer a choice of languages to its students.
Our senior German students are involved in the highly successful German Film Club, which enters a film to the annual Goethe-Institute German Schools Film Festival competition.
Cultural awareness and appreciation are an important component of our language programs as seen in events such as our annual Multicultural Day.