School Curriculum

At St. Thomas the Apostle School we acknowledge that students deserve the very best teaching possible. Learning experiences are designed to help learners develop their knowledge, skills and understandings in all learning areas. St Thomas the Apostle School is committed to providing students with quality learning experiences. We believe that through the use of a variety of teaching strategies, all children will be encouraged to reach their full potential.

St. Thomas the Apostle Primary School believes in:

  • building authentic relationships and partnerships that support, extend and challenge our students’ learning;
  • actively engaging with the school community;
  • understanding our place within the Catholic church and the global community;
  • the full flourishing of every student;
  • supporting each learner to deeply understand ‘who they are’ in the world, in dialogue with the Catholic beliefs and practices.

We recognise the strong link between the quality of teaching and student performance. So we strive to create a learning environment that:

  • scaffolds learners;
  • inspires creativity:
  • offers a variety of learning experiences;
  • has high expectations of every student;
  • is based on respectful relationships between staff and students acting collectively;
  • encourages risk-taking.

Curriculum

At St. Thomas the Apostle School, teachers focus on learning for all students in order to move each one from their point of need along their learning continuum. Teachers make evidence-based decisions after analysing data that has been collected in pre and post testing, standardised tests, anecdotal records, work samples, professional dialogue and observing what a students can ‘say, make, do or write’. That way, teachers can plan and implement work that caters to the needs, abilities and interests of all students.

Our teachers are aware that chronological and mental ages do not necessarily correspond and so, some children are extended and some receive intervention, often catered for within their classroom as well as receiving individual or small group support with trained staff.

Learning outcomes are taken for the Victorian Curriculum. This sets out what every child should learn in their first eleven years of schooling in Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities (History, Civics & Citizenship, Geography and Economics), Technologies (Design and Digital), Languages (Italian), The Arts (Visual, Dance Drama, Media, Music), Health and Physical Education.

Learning in Religious Education allows children the time to learn more about themselves, others, the world around them and God. Students explore the role of prayer, rituals, symbols, sacraments and sacred texts in our lives. RE lessons at St Thomas the Apostle allow students to question, think and dialogue about important topics in the world around them and apply a Catholic lense to these topics. Teachers design learning experiences using the Renewed RE Framework, linking them to Inquiry Learning. RE is connected with their inquiry topic so that students can make better links between Religion and its important place in their world today. Through our Religious Education program we endeavour to engage students with the Catholic tradition, in the hope that these experiences will inform discernment in decision making and enable them to take relevant action for the common good of all.

We believe that learning is inter-related and as such, skills, concepts, values and knowledge are transferable via an integrated curriculum and the inquiry approach. Student engagement is enhanced through the use of digital technology, student voice and student choice. Students set learning and personal goals and develop self-management skills through scaffolded learning and expert teaching.

At the commencement of each term, parents receive an overview, which outlines the term’s work in the various areas being taught in each year level and specialist class. Parents also receive two detailed formal reports, mid-year and at the end of the year. Early in the year, parents attend a chat session with teachers. This provides parents with an opportunity to share information about their child that may support the development of a positive relationship with teachers and to discuss matters that may affect their child’s overall performance. Throughout the year, there are opportunities for students to showcase their learning at school assemblies, school events, and level presentations.

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2019 Term 1 Curriculum Overview

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2019 Term 2 Curriculum Overview

Religious Education

At St Thomas we believe that Religious Education invites students to think deeply, critically and philosophically about the Catholic faith in a diverse global community. We believe that Religious Education builds an understanding of self, others, the world and God.  As religious educators we encourage students to appreciate the role of prayer, rituals, symbols, sacraments and sacred texts in people’s lives. We value the importance of exploring sacred texts and encourage students to question, critically analyse and interpret these texts. As a dialogue school that is open to religious questioning we enable our students to recognise, respect and value the Religious diversity within our community. Engaging our students with the Catholic tradition informs discernment in decision making and enables them to take relevant action for the common good.

Religious Education is an integral part of our school, it is embedded into every aspect of our school life. We aim to reflect the life of Christ in all aspects of the school, so that young people can experience the values of a Christian community based on love, compassion and justice.

Learning in Religious Education allows children the time to learn more about themselves, others, the world around them and God. Students explore the role of prayer, rituals, symbols, sacraments and sacred texts in our lives. RE lessons at St Thomas the Apostle allow students to question, think and dialogue about important topics in the world around them and apply a Catholic lense to these topics. Teachers design learning experiences using the Renewed RE Framework, linking them to Inquiry Learning. RE is connected with their inquiry topic so that students can make better links between Religion and its important place in their world today. Through our Religious Education program we endeavour to engage students with the Catholic tradition, in the hope that these experiences will inform discernment in decision making and enable them to take relevant action for the common good of all.

St Thomas the Apostle Primary School has a visible Catholic partnership with the parish. Throughout the year the school community participates in various Sacramental and Liturgical practices including our annual celebrations of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. Further opportunities provided to our students to explore their faith include:

  • Whole school masses
  • Class masses
  • Morning and afternoon prayer
  • Sacramental Programs
  • Learning designed using the Renewed RE Framework and linked to Inquiry Learning
  • Mini Vinnies
  • FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier Project a joint initiative of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria and the Opening the Doors Foundation to promote Reconciliation through education.

Sacraments are received in the following year levels:

Reconciliation: Year 2

Eucharist: Year 3

Confirmation: Year  6

Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation is a partnership between the school and the family. While preparation for these Sacraments is school based, there is an understanding that parents are the first formators of Faith. Therefore there are ample opportunities for parents play an active part in this preparation by attending sacramental faith formation nights and commitment masses, as well as entering into dialogue with their children at home, accompanying them on their Sacramental journey.

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St Thomas the Apostle Faith Formation Guide