Literacy

The focus at FPS is to increase student comprehension and develop strong communication skills. Reading requires the five pillars of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. At our school, all elements of reading are explicitly taught through modelled and shared reading; small group and individualised instruction; and plenty of independent reading time to practise skills taught in class. To do this our school has implemented the Little Learners Love Literacy Program with a strong focus on phonics across all year levels. Students have access to decodable readers through both being able to physically borrow books for their take home readers, or to access the online digital library.

We have Literacy Intervention which provides our students with a one-on-one setting to support any gaps in student learning. Groups are fluid, with these changing based on student learning and assessment data provided by classroom teachers.

At Flowerdale Primary School, regular handwriting lessons reinforce correct letter formation and develop writing fluency. Writing text types such as recounts, narrative writing, information reports, procedures and persuasive texts are modelled and taught in all year levels. A love of literacy and literature is also fostered through the MARC Van Library program as well as with the introduction of the FPS Library which students visit once a week to borrow books to take home, helping to encourage our students to become enthusiastic readers and writers.

Numeracy

The Mathematics program at Flowerdale Primary School is based on the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 domains of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability. FPS has implemented Top10 Maths, which allows students to consolidate knowledge already learnt and access more complex skills once misconceptions have been targeted.

Along with the explicit teaching of mathematic skills, where possible, tasks are centred on real life experiences and problem solving investigations. Mathematics is integrated into a range of learning experiences as part of our class inquiries. A class inquiry into the Weather may include charting weather patterns, making predictions or organising data in graphs and tables. A class inquiry into neighbouring countries may involve looking at comparing populations, investigating 24-hour time and time zones or calculating distances between locations.

We have Numeracy Intervention which provides our students with a one-on-one setting to support any gaps in student learning. Groups are fluid, with these changing based on student learning and assessment data provided by classroom teachers.

Our students are provided with access to Mathletics and other web-based activities to practice concepts and skills being taught in class. In the junior class, students have access to a range of apps to reinforce mathematics skills. With the use of technology, classroom games and hands on experiences the students participate in a range of tasks to reinforce skill development.

Inquiry

At Flowerdale Primary School, our students have a strong connection to the rural community in which they live. The subject areas of Science, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics, Media and Technology are taught through classroom inquiries.

Over the 4 terms our students are provided with opportunities to focus on the following:

Term 1 - Who are we?

Knowing and understanding themselves as individuals and as members of groups. Understanding behaviours that promote positive and productive relationships.

Term 2 – History

Knowing about and understanding our individual and collective histories, and the impact these have on our lives today. Understanding that history is created every day.

Term 3 - Our Earth (Sustainability)

Knowing and understanding that our planet sustains life and is made up of finite resources, and that our individual and collective choices impact on the planet.

Term 4 - Going Global

Knowing and understanding that Flowerdale is one place that forms part of a larger world, and that locations are unique to their people and cultures.

SPECIALIST SUBJECTS

Art Van

The Mobile Art and Craft Centers (MACC) are a fleet of mobile art classrooms which provide specialist art education to small rural and remote primary schools. These vans ensure that students in rural schools get the same opportunities as their cousins in bigger schools, ensuring that they too can begin their High School years with a solid grounding in the Visual Arts.

Once a fortnight Flowerdale Primary School school is visited by the MACC Van where an experienced teacher provides art lessons to each grade for 1 hour. Each lesson is full of creativity, imagination and colour!

Library Van

The Mobile Area Resource Centre (MARC van) is a small mobile library. Denise Findley and her MARC van visit Flowerdale Primary School on a two week rotation.

The MARC van is filled with picture story books, fictional novels, non-fiction books as well as teacher resources for students and teachers to borrow. Students are able choose books from the library van to read over a two-week period.

MARC lessons allow students to share a book, discuss different aspects, think critically, and explore issues in greater detail with an activity that integrates into other key learning areas.

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) at Flowerdale Primary School is a new specialist in the curriculum. Students investigate all units of science, including Space science, energy and change, natural disasters, force and motion, sustainability, living things, materials, solids-liquids-gases, and famous Australian scientists. Students are encouraged to use a range of scientific ways to discover, gather and analyse information to form opinions and make conclusions of scientific investigations. Students apply their skills through hands on investigations, incursions and excursions and group discussions. Children develop their curiosity with hands-on experiences which encourages them to think like scientists.

Physical Education

Physical Education provides our students with the opportunity to develop and refine fundamental motor skills and apply these skills in cooperative and competitive games. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, fair play and leadership, nurturing the social and emotional development of our students. The PE program covers the following activities and events annually:

• Outdoor Education (Camps Program)
• Bike Education
• Water Safety Program
• Dance and Movement
• Gymnastics
• District Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming
• Sports Education
• Jump Rope for Heart
• Hoop Time Basketball

Performing Arts

Performing Arts allows our students to express themselves through dance, drama and music. Students work collaboratively with their peers, taking part in a variety of roles where they are encouraged to reach their creative potential using movement, voice and gesture. Students showcase their skills at the annual production, promoting confidence and self-esteem.  

Auslan

The Auslan curriculum provides our students with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate and engage with the Deaf community. It is a meaningful approach to language education where students develop understanding and respect of diversity. Students participate in a variety of independent and cooperative learning experiences that enable them to understand themselves as communicators.