Foundation to Year 10
Foundation to Year 10 Curriculum
During these years we provide a comprehensive curriculum which incorporates the individual academic, physical, social, personal and technological needs of students into their daily learning experiences. Programs cater for the individual learning styles and needs of students, giving them the opportunity to achieve positive learning outcomes, build on prior knowledge and skills, and experience success.
The Nelson Park Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum and covers the Learning Areas of:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- The Humanities
- Technologies
- The Arts
- Health and Physical Education
and the Capabilities of:
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Ethical
- Intercultural
- Personal and Social
Teachers provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences to help students develop greater understanding and skills about the world around them. All areas of the curriculum are geared towards supporting our students’ independence.
Nelson Park School has a strong belief that every child is a Reader, a Writer and a Mathematician. Classrooms operate under the theory of “Gradual Release of Responsibility” where control of the learning is gradually released from the teacher to the students (I do, We do, You do). Our classrooms have a common structure and approach to Reading and Writing Workshops enabling students to focus on learning to be a better reader or writer rather than learning new routines each year.
Specialist teaching programs are offered to students one day each week in Visual Arts, Design and Technologies, Digital Technologies, Health and Physical Education, Outdoor Education, Media Arts, Performing Arts and Food Technology.
All students from Year 1-10 have access to an “away from home” experience each year:
- Year 1: school dinner
- Year 2: school sleepover ,
- Year 3/4: 1 night camp at Staughtenvale
- Year 5/6: 2 night camp at Staughtenvale
- Years 7/8: Camping experience in the Grampians.
- Year 9: Outdoor Education camp
- Year 10: Urban camp
Class teachers integrate camp learning experiences into classroom programs.
Students also access Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy individually, in small groups or through consultation with the classroom teacher and the family. Specialised strategies for maximising learning for students with Autism are integrated across the curriculum.
Nelson Park ends every school year with a “Transitioning Right” program which is linked to our school rules values and gives students the opportunity to spend a week with their future teachers and classmates to create a collaborative community of learners. This program is used to establish the culture and environment in each classroom and develop relationships between all class members.
The school year begins with a ‘Starting Right’ Program where students establish a positive learning environment through reading, writing, maths and health and wellbeing experiences.