The Primary Curriculum

The following is an extract from the Primary Handbook, Reception - Year 6. Download a copy of the handbook.

On this page you can find out about the following topics:

THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM
At Torrens Valley Christian School our curriculum reflects the diversity, complexity and richness of God’s world. A Biblical perspective is developed in all areas and our approach to education encourages a diversity of learning responses such a wonder, discovery, insight and action.

Our curriculum caters for a wide range of learning opportunities, enabling the students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways, while maintaining a high standard.

Spiritual Development
God has created us as spiritual beings. The character, attitudes and values of an individual are formed during the early years of life. Therefore, the roles played firstly by the parent/s and later by the teacher, should never be underestimated. Deuteronomy 6:7.

At Torrens Valley Christian School, we seek to support the role of the parents who have ultimate responsibility for their child. We also work towards encouraging the student to love God, His Word and His purpose in this world. We do this by creating an environment that has a Christian framework and a Christian world-view that underpins all learning. We also try to set an example for our students of how to treat one another and live Godly lives. Each day typically starts with devotions and concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving, and fortnightly we hold an assembly with worship and celebration.

Intellectual Development
During the Primary years an emphasis is placed upon ‘hands on learning’ activities that make use of ‘concrete’ materials and real life experiences. The rigorous teaching of the essential and basic skills of spelling, reading, writing, mathematics and computer literacy is our priority. However, the importance of involving the student in active, inquiring learning, rather than the passive absorption of facts, is essential.

Our curriculum is designed to develop and enhance the ability of the student to reason, use critical awareness, think creatively, make decisions and be an effective contributor in our community.

Social Development
Our students are given many opportunities to interact in a variety of social settings as part of a whole class, a large or small group, or as individuals. We aim to help students adjust comfortably to a larger group of children, to relate to adults associated with the school and to develop a sense of cooperation, tolerance and respect for one another.

Emotional Development
We aim to make all learning experiences as successful and pleasurable as possible. The positive self-esteem of the student as a learner is essential and the acknowledgement of the results critical. The environment at Torrens Valley Christian School provides a foundation of love, caring, and ‘feeling safe’ that enables the student to develop a positive self-esteem as a learner. The development of trust between the teacher and the student is critical so that the student can feel confident about taking risks in learning.

Physical Development
Physical activity plays an important role in the normal growth and development of the student. Through regular involvement in a planned sequence of varying physical activities, the natural physical skills and abilities of the student will be developed.


SUMMARY OF STUDIES
Art
Students are encouraged to develop their creative abilities and appreciate different media and art forms. Activities include drawing, painting, printing, modelling, construction, collage, threads and textiles.

Bible
At each year level there is teaching of the Old and New Testaments. We seek to develop a growing intellectual and personal response to God. Our Bible teaching follows the major themes of: Creation, Fall, Redemption and Restoration.

Torrens Valley Christian School uses a sequentially structured program from “Life a Curriculum for Christian Studies.” The Education Program. LIFE, is a Biblically based and age appropriate program that covers the following themes:
God Creates: The Universe, Human Beings, and Relationships
God Saves: Through Jesus, From Sin and Evil
God Helps: To Pray, By His Word, By the Work of the Holy Spirit
God Calls: To Serve the World, To be Jesus’ Disciples
God Gathers: Into the Christian Church, To Worship Him

Computers In Curriculum
Torrens Valley Christian School believes that for our students to function successfully as informed citizens in society they will need to be computer literate. Each class has two formal lessons in our school computer room per week where each student has access to their own computer and formal learning can take place. The computers are used to develop keyboarding skills, the writing and publishing of students’ work, and for the recording of data. Software related to a broad range of subjects is utilised to enhance and enrich students’ learning experience. Many classes also have computers in their classrooms that can be used by students. This year we are trialling some laptops in our Year 6 classes.

Language
Torrens Valley Christian School have First Steps trained teachers. We believe language literacy skills are best taught in an integrated and holistic way. This gives both purpose and meaning in the development of spelling, writing and reading skills. The Literacy program consists of several key components.

Oral: Speaking, Listening, Questioning

Reading: Word attack skills, Oral and silent reading, Comprehension, Author studies, Running records, Lexile Reading program, Guided Reading groups

Spelling: Letter/sound relationships and blends, Individually tailored spelling lists, Word Study (vocabulary development, word structure)

Writing: Functional grammar and punctuation, Handwriting, Constructing pieces of work, Editing and publishing, Sentence structure, Genres

Many classes commence each school day with two hours of uninterrupted block time to focus on these literacy skills.

Mathematics
Torrens Valley Christian School has adopted the M-LATS (Mathematics Learning and Teaching Skills) style of Mathematics education. It is very much a hands-on approach, which helps to develop cognitive (mental) abilities. A sequentially developed program is implemented to ensure each student has the opportunity to develop numeracy skills.

Theme
S.O.S.E, Science, Health and Technology are often integrated. These units of work set the theme for the classroom that assists students to acquire knowledge as well as many positive attitudes, values and skills. Units of work are also taught in the specific areas of S.O.S.E, Science, Technology and Health.

The program ‘Achieve’ is used in all primary classes. This program focuses on the social/emotional well-being of students and addresses such topics as Confidence, Persistence, Organisation, Resilience and Relationships.

SPECIALIST TEACHERS TAKE THE FOLLOWING CURRICULUM AREAS:

Indonesian
The ability to acquire an additional language comes through a wide variety of experiences in the new language including listening, speaking, reading and writing. Torrens Valley Christian School has opted to learn (or teach) Indonesian as its language other than English in Reception to Year 6. We aim to introduce the Indonesian language and culture through activities such as counting, role plays, labelling items, fruit tasting, making puppets, cultural games, singing and much more.

Music
Music is a joyful experience and plays a vital role in every child’s life. Therefore, it is a valuable part of the school curriculum, provided by a specialist classroom teacher. The emphasis of the program is upon singing, movement, ear training, playing recorder and keyboard, music theory and music in society. A choir and private music tuition of your choice provide other opportunities for students to develop their musical skills.

Physical Education
The PE programme at Torrens Valley Christian School encourages all students to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Students are taught the skills of major and minor games, athletics, swimming and gymnastics through a variety of fund and challenging activities. Students fitness levels are developed and extended. A Tribe based athletics carnival occurs annually as does an Inter-Christian School athletics carnival. We also have a ‘Primary School Fun Day’ that has a non-competitive maximum participation emphasis on the day. There is a busy weekend schools sports program with many of our teams represented in sports such as football, basketball and T-Ball.

Special Education
A qualified special education teacher works with students who require remedial assistance or extension opportunities. The special education teacher in conjunction with the regular classroom teacher carefully monitors each student’s progress, so that program adjustments can be made. Special Education also incorporates the English as a Second Language program. A teacher delivers this program with specific training in this area.

Further Information
You may obtain further information on the school by telephoning 8265-2077 or calling in at the school, 1227 Grand Junction Road, Hope Valley. Please feel free to come and meet our Primary coordinators by making an appointment.