School Curriculum
Wonthaggi North Primary School provides programs for all students based on the Learning Areas and Capabilities identified in the Victorian Curriculum. The VCAA provides a comprehensive overview of the Victorian Curriculum and we map our school curriculum against the standards.
We are also committed to the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes which provides an accountability framework linked to our school Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan.
Whole-school curriculum planning is an ongoing process, along with team planning. In addition to classroom experiences, students also have access to specialist teachers for Physical Education, The Arts and LOTE. Students in years Prep to 6 study Spanish.
We find most families want to know more about reading, writing and maths. We have provided a brief overview but please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. We love talking about learning.
We use the Readers’ Workshop routine and The Big Six to teach reading. The Big Six includes the core components children need for reading; oral language, phonemic and phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
We use Sounds-Write to teach phonics, all our teachers are fully trained in Sounds-Write. Home reading starts in prep when students have developed phonics knowledge when some sounds have been introduced. This allows students to practise sounding out words. More information about Sounds-Write can be found here https://www.sounds-write.co.uk/ a free parent course is also available through this link.
The Writers’ Workshop is our routine for writing. Through this routine teachers are able to explicitly teach and support students in small groups and at an individual level. Areas of focus include writing process, grammar and text structure.
Our maths teaching is explicit teaching and open ended investigations. Giving students maths skills and opportunities to practise and embed those skills. Ongoing assessment of students occurs across the school through weekly PLC meetings (Professional Learning Communities). This allows teachers to intervene and support students more effectively than more traditional testing methods.
Transitions
At Wonthaggi North Primary School, we support students as they transition into and out of our school, as well as through our school as they move from grade to grade (class to class) each year.
In Wonthaggi we are fortunate to have a number of high quality early childhood education options. Working with the early childhood educators across our community enables us to deliver a highly effective Pre prep Transition Program.
We also value our close relationship with Bass Coast College who provide a fantastic transition program for students as they move into their secondary school journey.
We also recognise that transition for some families occurs at different times throughout the year and at different year levels. It is just as important to us that we ensure students who join our school at different times; in the middle of the year, end of the year, at any year level, have a supportive and safe transition as well.
At Wonthaggi North Primary School we have a range of ways to help your child transition into school.
Transitions
At Wonthaggi North Primary School, we support students as they transition into and out of our school, as well as through our school as they move from grade to grade (class to class) each year.
In Wonthaggi we are fortunate to have a number of high quality early childhood education options. Working with the early childhood educators across our community enables us to deliver a highly effective Pre prep Transition Program.
We also are fortunate to value our close relationship with Wonthaggi Secondary College who provide a fantastic transition program for students as they move into their secondary school journey.
We also recognise that transition for many some families occurs at different times throughout the year and at different year levels. It is just as important to us that we ensure students who join our school at different times; in the middle of the year, end of the year, at any grade year level, have a supportive and safe transition as well.
Please see our Enrolment Policy for further information.
Ready, Set, Prep!
Ready, Set, Prep! is designed to support children in their transition between kindergarten and primary school. The program aims to ensure students feel safe and secure in our school before they start the school year. It aims to help students make a smooth transition to school by becoming familiar with the facilities, equipment, teachers and other students. The program also has a focus on early literacy and numeracy development.
The program is run by qualified teachers at no cost. This is also the time students are matched with a senior student. Our Buddy program is the Better Buddy Program from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Ready, Set, Prep! enrolment forms are available at your kinder or call us and we’ll organise one for you. We are able to email you an electronic copy if you’d prefer.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions we are always happy to help.
Bass Coast College
The end of the year for our Grade 6 students, their families and our school community can be a very emotional time, while it is difficult to say goodbye we know they are well prepared for their secondary school journey. We love hearing about what they are achieving and love when they visit us during special events like the annual picnic. Bass Coast College provides a comprehensive transition program that has our full support. They share our belief in supporting students to have the best possible start to their secondary education.
Students in both grade 5 and 6, whether they are attending Bass Coast College or not are invited to participate in a number of activities and events throughout each year. This experience is highly valued by our students, parents and staff as it gives our students the opportunity to see what a secondary school is like, how it works and become familiar with a different school environment.
Wonthaggi Secondary College
The end of the year for our Grade 6 students, their families and our school community can be a very emotional time. We are always fortunate to be confident that our students are well prepared for their secondary school journey. The transition program we support Wonthaggi Secondary College provides a comprehensive transition program. They share our belief in supporting students to have the best possible start to their secondary education.
Students in both grade 5 and 6, whether they are attending Wonthaggi Secondary College or not are invited to participate in a number of activities and events throughout each year. This experience is highly valued by our students, parents and staff as it gives our students the opportunity to see what a secondary school is like, how it works and become familiar with a different school environment.