The Victorian Curriculum Foundation–10 (F–10) sets out what every student should learn during their first eleven years of schooling at Laverton P-12 College. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship. The Victorian Curriculum F–10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian priorities and standards.
In addition to the core subjects, we also prioritise the teaching and learning in the four capabilities of:
Students participate in:
At Laverton P-12 College we believe all students can achieve high personal standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Literacy is an integral part of all areas of the curriculum and a key to success. Each day our students learn within a Reading and a Writing Workshop.
The Reading Workshop is a daily session that runs for one hour and focuses on explicitly teaching reading strategies and skills, which students can apply to their own independent reading. We use the Department of Education reading strategies to guide our students developing their reading skills.
Literacy Intervention
At Laverton P-12 College Literacy Intervention is used to support students who have been identified as needing additional assistance in their literacy learning. Teachers work one on one or in small group situations to deliver an explicit teaching and learning program at the point of need of the student. A range of hands-on and interactive resources are used to address individual student needs and interests.
In the early years, young children learn from watching, listening and engaging with the world around them. New skills and understandings can emerge through demonstration, modelling and problem solving. They explore mathematical language that helps them to explore, describe and understand the world around them.
In our mathematical classrooms students have the opportunity to:
Students participate in:
Online Resources and Programs
Year P-6 students have access to Mathletics through personalised usernames and passwords. The online program is a valuable resource to aid students in developing their skills, understanding and individual learning.
Assessments
Students will participate in a range of assessments throughout the year to assess their mathematical thinking and skill developments. This helps teachers to build a clearer picture of the learner. These assessments in may include:
Supporting Numeracy at home
There are many ways you can help your child to learn mathematics and numeracy at home. This can be as simple as:
asking your child ‘what did you learn today?’
At Laverton P-12 College, all students in P-6 participate in Inquiry Investigation sessions that explore concepts in the curriculum areas of History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business.
Through rich inquiry units of work based around ‘essential questions,’ students are provided with experiences that stimulate curiosity, encourage questioning, consider different perspectives, and challenge their thinking. Each year students progressively build upon their knowledge, skills and understandings.
The Inquiry sessions also allow opportunities to explicitly teach the Capabilities, which include Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capabilities, Intercultural Capabilities and Personal and Social Capabilities.
Students in Years One to Six participate in ONE session of Science each week in the Primary Science Laboratory. Over the course of the year, all students develop scientific knowledge around the 4 areas of science.
Term 1 - Earth and Space Science
Year 1: The 4 Seasons and changes they cause
Year 2: The water cycle
Year 3: The relationship between the Earth, Sun and Moon
Year 4: The Impact humans have on the environment
Year 5: The Solar System
Year 6: Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Term 2 - Chemical Science
Year 1: Observable properties of different materials
Year 2: Simple mixtures
Year 3: The effect of heat on different objects, materials and substances
Year 4: Materials and how they are used in everyday life
Year 5: Introduction to the 3 States of Matter
Year 6: Chemical changes
Term 3 - Physical Science
Year 1: Light and sound
Year 2: Pushes and pulls
Year 3: Using heat
Year 4: Magnetism
Year 5: Light
Year 6: Electrical circuits
Term 4 - Biological Science
Year 1: Dinosaurs and minibeasts
Year 2: How things change as they grow
Year 3: Living and non-living
Year 4: Plants and insects
Year 5: Adaptations
Year 6: Micro-organisms
As a part of the physical science units, students are also given the opportunities to engage in basic coding. Years 1-3 use BeeBots to begin understanding how simple input commands make a robot perform basic tasks. BeeBots are very easy to use with the students only have to remember arrow directions, pause and stop.
Students in Years 4 & 5 use Ozobots to build on basic coding skills learning in Years 1-3. Ozobots are small programmable robots and respond to different coloured texta ink. Students can explore how the Ozobots react when different colour combinations are used.
Students in Year 6 further develop their coding skills by using Sphero robots. These require more technical coding through an iPad application. The Sphero robots can move in all directions, flash lights and students can even make them jump.
The Health and PE Program provides students with the opportunity to develop a range of fundamental movement and sport specific skills that are essential for future sporting success.
Fair play, teamwork and positive communication are always a focus with students learning to recognize and display these sporting values.
Our school facilities provide a range of venues for physical activity with outdoor basketball courts, oval, soccer pitch and undercover area available. Students also have access to indoor spaces including our College Gym and Performing Arts Centre for classes in the colder months.
All students in P-6 participate in 1 session of Physical Education each week. In addition to this students also have the opportunity to participate in:
The Arts curriculum contributes to the development of confident and creative individuals and enriches Australian society. Students express, represent and communicate ideas in contemporary, traditional and emerging arts forms.
At Laverton P-12 College the Arts curriculum (at selected levels) includes:
Visual Arts includes the fields of art, craft and design. Students create visual art works that communicate, challenge and express their own and others’ ideas. They learn about the role of the artist, craftsperson and designer and their contribution to society, Visual Arts engages students in a journey of discovery, experimentation and problem solving while exploring visual arts techniques, technologies, practices and processes. Learning in Visual Arts supports students to view the world through various lenses and contexts. They recognise the significance of visual arts histories, theories and practices, exploring and responding to artists, craftspeople and designers and their artworks. Learning in the Visual Arts helps students to develop understanding of world cultures and their responsibilities as global citizens. The significant contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australia’s arts heritage and contemporary arts practices are explored across the Arts, and students are encouraged to respect and value these unique and evolving traditions.
The Visual Arts curriculum aims to develop students’:
Laverton P-12 College has well equipped studio spaces and art facilities to offer practices and exploration within a range of 2D and 3D visual art forms.
The Instrumental Music Program
From Years Prep through to Year 12 students at Laverton P-12 College have the opportunity to enhance their musical abilities through lessons, ensembles, workshops and excursions. Our Band and Instrumental Music Program in conjunction with our classroom music curriculum, provides students with a range of opportunities to grow and develop as musicians.
Students participate in individual or small group ensemble practice and rehearsals throughout the week during schooltime. Students have the opportunities to perform at assemblies, school events, and at the end of each semester in the Summer and Winter Concerts.
Rehearsals are compulsory for all Instrumental Music students. Students are reminded to check the Compass and the PAC noticeboard for notices regarding weekly rehearsals.
Instrumental Music Staff
Josh (Music Coordinator) - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Piano, Drums
Ken - Voice, Guitar, Bass, Piano
Tommy - Drums
Daniel - Violin, Viola
Kristen - Flute, Clarinet
Laura - Cello
Instrumental Lessons
Instrumental lessons are offered for Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Piano, Drums, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, and Clarinet. All of our instrumental lessons operate on a rotating timetable so that students do not miss the same subject twice in a row. Students enrolled in lessons are expected to bring all required materials and their instrument to every lesson and to regularly check the PAC notice board, and Compass for any notices that may apply to them.
All instrumental lessons are free.
Lessons for violin, viola, flute, clarinet, and cello are only available for students who participate in the afterschool music program - Chrashendo. Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Piano and Drums lessons are only available for year 6 - year 12 students.
Crashendo
Classroom Music Program
Our Instrumental Music Program is coupled with our Classroom Music curriculum to provide students with the broadest possible range of musical skills, knowledge and opportunities.
Music is offered as a subject at Laverton P-12 College for Year 8 and Year 10 students for 2 sessions each week for one semester. The music teacher Mr. Hall is dedicated to passing on his own passion for music to his students, ensuring that students not only succeed academically in the subject but develop as performers and appreciators of music.
The Classroom Music curriculum, in conjunction with the Instrumental Music Program, gives students the fundamental knowledge, skill-base and performance experience they need to become confident and proficient musicians.
For enquiries regarding the Laverton P-12 College Instrumental Music Program, please email the school or call on 9369 1833.