Teaching & Learning
At St Joseph's we aim to provide a challenging and comprehensive curriculum with an inquiry based approach and a strong focus on Religion, Literacy, Numeracy and Technology. We strive to differentiate the curriculum to cater for students with diverse learning needs. We believe that co-operative learning skills, problem solving strategies and critical thinking are essential elements in a child's development.
Technology
ICT is a major focus at St Joseph's. Four years ago St Joseph's began using ipads in the Upper Primary classes. Currently all students in the school have access to their own digital devices (iPads) to use as a tool within their learning. Each learning space is equipped with a 65-inch TV Screen which can mirror the teacher's and student's devices when teaching and learning. The school also engages in coding activates with Lego Robots and Raspberry Pis for the older students, while the infants' students are using Bee Bots for coding and Mathematics.
Young Regional School of Music
Specialist music teachers come from Young School of Music once a week to take students for individual tuition. Students can choose from piano, guitar and violin. Please contact the Young Regional School of Music for more information on (02) 6382 5735.
School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program
St Joseph's is fortunate to have a Chaplin employed, for Student welfare and wellbeing. The Welfare and Wellbeing Coordinator program enables us to employ the services of Sarah Rose. Sarah runs our "Faith In Action" programs such as Mini-Vinnies, and our visits to the local aged care facility - Burrowa House.
Key Competencies
- Problem solving this may take place formally in educational endeavours such as maths or scientific investigation but can also be developed through engagement in issues related to missions, the Student Representative Council, fundraising for charitable organisations etc.
- Developing empathy and values through exposure to literature, excursions, community service, formal Religious Education lessons and through activities such as our World Vision sponsored child.
- Self directed learning by embedding higher order thinking skills in each year level using teaching strategies such as Blooms Taxonomy of Thinking Skills and Multiple Intelligences. This may be in individual subjects or multi-disciplinary. Exposure to the creative arts, development of their own creativity and appreciation of others creativeness.
- Listening and interacting with elders and professionals in our community through experiences such as the Burrowa House visits.
- Thinking about their future as an individual and a global citizen.
- Reflecting challenging and asking questions.
- Being able to adapt to new and varying situations.
- Being exposed to a variety of language experiences.
- Having experiences that will allow students to express themselves verbally. These experiences may include public speaking and the school play.
- Communicating for different language purposes.
- Using ICT across a range of subject areas.
- Giving students a variety of mathematical experiences, outside the normal classroom experiences, such as The Primary Maths Challenge, Maths Investigations Competitions, and activities associated with National Numeracy & Literacy Week.
