Curriculum

The Catholic School is part of the mission of the Church and is a sacred landscape where learning and teaching seeks the integration of faith, life and culture.

 

Learning Centred Schools – A Sacred Landscape

St Michael’s School Ashburton offers a strong academic program based on implementing the new Victorian Curriculum and complying with the Australian Government regulations in 2015 and beyond. The Victorian Curriculum Foundation-10 (F-10) sets out what every student should learn during their first 11 years of schooling and incorporates the Australian Curriculum whilst reflecting Victorian priorities standards. As such, learning and teaching at St Michael’s encompasses the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for lifelong learning, social development, and active and informed citizenship.

Academic Program

  • Religious Education
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Civics and Citizenship
  • Humanities (Economics, Geography, History)
  • Library
  • Specialist Program (PE, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, STEM, Mandarin)
  • PMP
  • Public Speaking
  • 5/6 Camp
  • Australian Maths Competition
  • Incursions/excursions
  • Book Week
  • Electives

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual, nationwide assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All Year 3 and 5 students at St Michael’s will be assessed in the areas of reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Specialist Program

Physical Education (PE)

The PE program at St Michael’s focuses on providing opportunities for challenge, personal growth, enjoyment and fitness. PE classes lay the foundation for the development of fundamental motor skills that will assist students to engage in physical activity in a healthy and active way. Knowledge, skills and behaviours developed in primary school form the basis for future learning, and contribute to students’ physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and wellbeing.

Visual Arts

All students attend a weekly Visual Arts class where they are exposed to a variety of art techniques and processes. These classes aim to improve students’ skills and knowledge surrounding the arts including painting, drawing, sculpting, constructing and art appreciation. Every two years, St Michael’s holds a Student Art Exhibition. This is always an exciting and fun occasion involving the whole school community.

Performing Arts

Weekly Performing Arts classes provide students with an outlet to make, explore, respond to and enjoy music and musical performance. Alternating with our biennial Visual Arts event, St Michael’s puts on a whole school production and all families are invited to watch. The end result is a thoroughly rewarding and entertaining experience for all our staff, students and families.

Science

St Michael’s students engage in the specialist learning area of Science, which aids students in their curiosity about the biological, physical and technological world.  Our students gain and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within a Catholic context. The Science specialist class provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of important scientific concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, the contribution of science to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives. These skills are also applied in the everyday classroom with an inquiry approach to learning.

Mandarin

The Mandarin program at St Michael’s aims to foster, in students, an awareness and appreciation of the Mandarin language and Chinese culture. Learning a second language assists children in developing literacy skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also contributes to the social cohesiveness across other cultures.

Extra-Curricular Activities and Clubs

Students at St Michael’s are encouraged to participate in a diverse range of activities and clubs during or outside regular school hours.

During school hours:

  • Mini Vinnies
  • Art and Tinkering Club
  • Library Club
  • Gardening Club
  • Book Club
  • Choir
  • Private music lessons – flute, guitar, drums, piano, singing

 

Outside school hours:

  • Tennis
  • Soccer
  • St Michael’s Netball Club
  • Running Club
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