Teaching & Learning
Holy Family Primary School Doveton
Teachers at Holy Family make learning explicit for students through the use of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria.
By regularly assessing student progress, teachers tailor their teaching to ensure a personalised learning experience for every child.
The emphasis on feedback, both from teachers and peers, cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and supports students on their academic journey.
Students are encouraged to reflect on the learning process which empowers them to take ownership of their growth and progress, allowing each child to reach their full potential.
Learning Diversity
At Holy Family, embracing diversity is at the heart of our inclusive education approach, and we celebrate the unique backgrounds and abilities of our students. In our classrooms, every student is valued, and learning experiences are adapted to meet their specific needs.
Our model supports collaborative learning, in which staff share their skills and expertise for the benefit of the students and each other. All staff responsible for learning diversity use a variety of pedagogies and strategies to cater for diverse needs, which has a positive impact on the learning outcomes of all students.
Literacy
Literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning and encompasses the knowledge and skills students need to communicate with others, understand information, express thoughts, present opinions and effectively participate in the world around them.
At Holy Family School, we strive to develop the literacy skills of every student no matter what their starting point is, through explicit instruction. We use evidence-based research to inform our literacy practices in the classroom. Content, skills and knowledge is delivered through whole class, small group and individual instruction and engaging learning activities.
Holy Family is a culturally diverse school and consequently the first language of many of our students is a language other than English. Our Literacy Program therefore follows both the Victorian English Curriculum and the Victorian English as an Additional Language Curriculum to ensure that the specific learning needs of all students are met.
The three areas of the English and English as an Additional Language curriculum are:
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Speaking and Listening
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Reading and Viewing
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Writing
All areas are addressed daily, and are often intertwined and linked to other curriculum areas.
Student progress is constantly monitored and analysed in a number of ways and is used to plan the next steps in each student’s literacy learning journey.
Numeracy
At Holy Family School, we encourage students to challenge themselves and approach mathematics with a sense of curiosity and exploration. We deliver the curriculum through a variety of rich learning experiences, including open tasks that allow for more than one way to solve a problem. Students are taught to explain their thinking, justify their answers and engage in discussion with their classmates. In doing so, learning mathematics becomes a collaborative journey full of excitement and discovery.
The areas of the Victorian Curriculum in Mathematics:
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Number
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Algebra
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Measurement
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Space
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Statistics
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Probability
Students are regularly assessed in order to determine their point of need. Teachers target the delivery of the curriculum so that learning is personalised. Assessments include: rich tasks, digital tests, student interviews with hands-on equipment and ongoing observations. Multiple pieces of assessment are used to create a more complete picture of each child’s learning.
Inquiry
Inquiry learning at Holy Family inspires students to be curious about the world around them. Inquiry learning allows students to actively research, make connections, share understandings and take action in their life and world. Inquiry involves authentic learning opportunities for students based around their wonderings, needs and interests.
Inquiry Learning allows students to develop their skills and content knowledge within a variety of areas of the Victorian curriculum, with a focus on Science, History, Geography, Economics, Civics & Citizenship, Technology, Health and the Capabilities.
Inquiry Learning is student driven and focuses on big ideas and wonderings that are relevant and connected to the world within and beyond the classroom.
Technology
Our students have access to a great range of technology.
Each student in Prep to Year Two has access to an iPad. These iPads provide opportunity for these students to access information and create stories, whilst their writing skills are still developing.
From Year Three to Year Six, each student receives a Chromebook, which they use over the final four years of their Primary School.
The technology is used to enhance learning, and work alongside writing and reading skills. The technology can provide access to learning for all students. They can utilise their strengths to present information and learn important data literacy skills and develop an understanding of how they can trust information online.
The students engage with regular eSafety sessions, to ensure that all of our students are aware of the risks that are prevalent online. Whilst filters at school help protect students, at home students need to be aware of potential pitfalls of their use, and what to do when something concerns them.
Specialist
Each week, students at Holy Family engage in the following four specialist subjects:
Indonesian and Art
Students learn the Indonesian language through the CLIL approach, whereby they are immersed in language learning whilst participating in visual arts.
Physical Education
Students learn the movement skills, concepts and strategies to enable them to confidently, competently and creatively participate in a range of physical activities and sports. The PE program at Holy Family promotes social skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship, teaching children how to cooperate and compete respectfully.
STEM
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education at Holy Family fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, which are essential skills for 21st century learners.
By engaging in hands-on activities, students develop a strong foundation in scientific inquiry, promoting curiosity and a lifelong love for learning.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts program at Holy Family nurtures creativity, self-expression, and communication skills, allowing students to discover and convey their emotions through various mediums such as drama, music, and dance.