Curriculum
The General Curriculum available at St. Joseph’s is determined by these considerations:
SACRAMENTAL EDUCATION Children of the Catholic Faith during their primary school years are initiated into the church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. They also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Parents are expected to attend a Parish Sacramental Program with their child as they prepare for the Sacraments. Non-Catholic children at the same grade level provide a valuable support or input to the Sacramental preparation of their classmates and are encouraged to be part of the Celebrations.
LITERACY In June 2024, Education Minister and Deputy Premier, Ben Carroll, announced that all Victorian government schools will be required to implement evidence-based Literacy teaching, including the use of a systematic phonics program from F-2 and a teaching method called 'explicit instruction'.
At St Joseph's, we have been meeting this requirement, and other recommendations of the Grattan Report 'The Reading Guarantee' since 2023. In line with the best-available evidence about how children learn to read and with the support of Catholic Education Ballarat, we are in the process of updating our approach to Literacy instruction. We are aiming to embed an effective and consistent Structured Literacy methodology from Foundation to Year Six.
This means that we teach all the elements of literacy, including phonics, in a systematic and explicit way, ensuring that all our students have the foundational knowledge and understandings they need to become successful readers and writers.
You may notice some changes in the language we use to communicate student progress and you may notice some changes in practice. For example, our early readers will no longer bring home 'levelled readers', but will instead bring home 'decodable books', that have been chosen specifically to align with our teaching sequence. If you have any questions or concerns about these (or any other) changes, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Please be assured that these changes have been made after much careful consideration, consultation with world-leading experts and - of course - in the best interests of our children.
A ‘structured literacy’ approach to teaching reading is best. It draws on decades of research evidence, including cognitive science, by explicitly and systematically teaching students the key sub-skills needed for reading and writing. (Grattan Report, February 2024)
MATHEMATICS The program is based on the Victorian Curriculum, offering clear and concise guidelines for developing proficiency with number facts, written algorithms, mental calculations, and estimations. Children must find mathematics enjoyable, so that they want to learn and will become proficient enough to apply their knowledge to everyday situations. Through our maths program all students experience success and challenge. Tasks selected are accessible at a range of levels. One activity could have many different related outcomes depending on prior knowledge and experience of students.
Regular interaction of students with different learning styles and experiences enriches the mathematics program for all, allowing the valuing of difference and the sharing of strategies. The program includes activities that use a variety of learning styles and encourage different forms of reporting results.
HUMANITIES Victorian Curriculum provides the learning areas to be covered from Grade Prep to Six. The Humanities (History, Geography and Economics) provides a framework for the development of student’s knowledge and understanding of Australian society, societies in other countries, local and global environments and the interaction of people with the environment.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Science and Technology are presented across all grade levels.
VISUAL ARTS The art and craft program gives the children the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic experiences through the mediums of drawing, collage, modelling, construction, painting, craft, etc. The children are given a chance to view and appreciate their own and others work.
PERFORMING ARTS The Performing Arts, incorporating Music, Dance and Drama, is sometimes taught as an individual subject and sometimes in an integrated approach. Study in the Performing Arts engages students as makers or producers, performers or presenters, audience members, critics and art theorists. Music is largely based on themes, community events and religious celebrations. Music involves singing, speech rhymes, percussion playing, movement and listening at all levels. Drama enables students to create through improvisation, role-playing, characterisation and scripts. St. Joseph’s joins with other schools in our rural network to attend cultural performances.
L.O.T.E Languages other than English The LOTE provision in the school is Chinese. This is accessed through My Chinese Tutor using video conferencing equipment. Students in Grades F – 6 participate in LOTE classes.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health Education covers a variety of health issues. It focuses on the body, people, food, nutrition, and health of individuals, communities and populations. It also incorporates personal safety and hygiene. The Health program uses a variety of current resources in order to provide effective learning activities for children. Physical Education is planned to meet the needs of children from Foundation– Grade 6. All activities are sequentially planned and are aimed to help the children of varying physical and mental abilities to acquire skills that are necessary for performing in games and dance, ball handling, athletics, swimming and bike education. St. Joseph’s students participate in inter-school activities organised by the Southern Mallee Lakes District and the Little Desert Zone.
LIBRARY The Library has an extensive collection of material that is available for children to read and borrow. The library includes picture storybooks, fiction, non-fiction, encyclopedias, research material, charts, posters and audiovisual material.
Children can borrow books on a weekly basis to enhance their home reading and research. All children need to have a suitable bag to protect books. Home reading books are changed daily in the library for Foundation to Grade 2 students and as required for students in Grades 3 – 6. Scholastic Book Club is organised and operates in the school and provides further interest in reading and books.
STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS: The School provides Individual Learning Plans for students with diverse learning needs, with assistance of Catholic Education Office funding and school based funding.
ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS REPORTS: St Joseph's provides reports twice a year in accordance with Commonwealth Government reporting requirements.
It is our responsibility to convey information that provides an accurate and true picture of your child’s progress.
It is our intention that each teacher will communicate with each parent during the year. However, the education of your child is a partnership and hence, also your responsibility to contact the teacher if you have any concerns which may affect your child's learning.
TERM 1: Interviews
TERM 2: Report distribution
TERM 3: Interviews
TERM 4: Report distribution
- The Awakenings Religious Education Curriculum
- Victorian Curriculum
- Local needs which are pertinent to the education of your child in the Hopetoun area.
- Jesus Christ
- God
- Church
- Scripture
- Sacraments
- Chrtistian LIfe
- Christian Prayer
- educating children in the Catholic faith
- bringing them the Gospel message of Jesus
- helping them know and trust in a God who loves them
- providing an atmosphere where their developing faith can be nurtured and strengthened
- supporting parents who have chosen a Catholic education for their children as a reinforcement of family beliefs and practices.
- our daily Religious Education classes
- our daily prayer celebrations
- celebration of special events
- regular participation in the Eucharist (Mass)
- support of Sacramental programs in conjunction with the Parish
- by inviting parents to be part of our school celebrations
- by conducting parent information evenings to explain Sacramental programs
- by informing them of special Parish events and celebrations
- by encouraging them to be part of the St. Joseph’s Parish community
SACRAMENTAL EDUCATION Children of the Catholic Faith during their primary school years are initiated into the church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. They also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Parents are expected to attend a Parish Sacramental Program with their child as they prepare for the Sacraments. Non-Catholic children at the same grade level provide a valuable support or input to the Sacramental preparation of their classmates and are encouraged to be part of the Celebrations.
LITERACY In June 2024, Education Minister and Deputy Premier, Ben Carroll, announced that all Victorian government schools will be required to implement evidence-based Literacy teaching, including the use of a systematic phonics program from F-2 and a teaching method called 'explicit instruction'.
At St Joseph's, we have been meeting this requirement, and other recommendations of the Grattan Report 'The Reading Guarantee' since 2023. In line with the best-available evidence about how children learn to read and with the support of Catholic Education Ballarat, we are in the process of updating our approach to Literacy instruction. We are aiming to embed an effective and consistent Structured Literacy methodology from Foundation to Year Six.
This means that we teach all the elements of literacy, including phonics, in a systematic and explicit way, ensuring that all our students have the foundational knowledge and understandings they need to become successful readers and writers.
You may notice some changes in the language we use to communicate student progress and you may notice some changes in practice. For example, our early readers will no longer bring home 'levelled readers', but will instead bring home 'decodable books', that have been chosen specifically to align with our teaching sequence. If you have any questions or concerns about these (or any other) changes, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Please be assured that these changes have been made after much careful consideration, consultation with world-leading experts and - of course - in the best interests of our children.
A ‘structured literacy’ approach to teaching reading is best. It draws on decades of research evidence, including cognitive science, by explicitly and systematically teaching students the key sub-skills needed for reading and writing. (Grattan Report, February 2024)
MATHEMATICS The program is based on the Victorian Curriculum, offering clear and concise guidelines for developing proficiency with number facts, written algorithms, mental calculations, and estimations. Children must find mathematics enjoyable, so that they want to learn and will become proficient enough to apply their knowledge to everyday situations. Through our maths program all students experience success and challenge. Tasks selected are accessible at a range of levels. One activity could have many different related outcomes depending on prior knowledge and experience of students.
Regular interaction of students with different learning styles and experiences enriches the mathematics program for all, allowing the valuing of difference and the sharing of strategies. The program includes activities that use a variety of learning styles and encourage different forms of reporting results.
HUMANITIES Victorian Curriculum provides the learning areas to be covered from Grade Prep to Six. The Humanities (History, Geography and Economics) provides a framework for the development of student’s knowledge and understanding of Australian society, societies in other countries, local and global environments and the interaction of people with the environment.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Science and Technology are presented across all grade levels.
VISUAL ARTS The art and craft program gives the children the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic experiences through the mediums of drawing, collage, modelling, construction, painting, craft, etc. The children are given a chance to view and appreciate their own and others work.
PERFORMING ARTS The Performing Arts, incorporating Music, Dance and Drama, is sometimes taught as an individual subject and sometimes in an integrated approach. Study in the Performing Arts engages students as makers or producers, performers or presenters, audience members, critics and art theorists. Music is largely based on themes, community events and religious celebrations. Music involves singing, speech rhymes, percussion playing, movement and listening at all levels. Drama enables students to create through improvisation, role-playing, characterisation and scripts. St. Joseph’s joins with other schools in our rural network to attend cultural performances.
L.O.T.E Languages other than English The LOTE provision in the school is Chinese. This is accessed through My Chinese Tutor using video conferencing equipment. Students in Grades F – 6 participate in LOTE classes.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health Education covers a variety of health issues. It focuses on the body, people, food, nutrition, and health of individuals, communities and populations. It also incorporates personal safety and hygiene. The Health program uses a variety of current resources in order to provide effective learning activities for children. Physical Education is planned to meet the needs of children from Foundation– Grade 6. All activities are sequentially planned and are aimed to help the children of varying physical and mental abilities to acquire skills that are necessary for performing in games and dance, ball handling, athletics, swimming and bike education. St. Joseph’s students participate in inter-school activities organised by the Southern Mallee Lakes District and the Little Desert Zone.
LIBRARY The Library has an extensive collection of material that is available for children to read and borrow. The library includes picture storybooks, fiction, non-fiction, encyclopedias, research material, charts, posters and audiovisual material.
Children can borrow books on a weekly basis to enhance their home reading and research. All children need to have a suitable bag to protect books. Home reading books are changed daily in the library for Foundation to Grade 2 students and as required for students in Grades 3 – 6. Scholastic Book Club is organised and operates in the school and provides further interest in reading and books.
STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS: The School provides Individual Learning Plans for students with diverse learning needs, with assistance of Catholic Education Office funding and school based funding.
ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS REPORTS: St Joseph's provides reports twice a year in accordance with Commonwealth Government reporting requirements.
It is our responsibility to convey information that provides an accurate and true picture of your child’s progress.
It is our intention that each teacher will communicate with each parent during the year. However, the education of your child is a partnership and hence, also your responsibility to contact the teacher if you have any concerns which may affect your child's learning.
TERM 1: Interviews
TERM 2: Report distribution
TERM 3: Interviews
TERM 4: Report distribution