Curriculum
At Giralang, teachers plan meaningful learning experiences which reflect the diverse needs of the children in their class. Development of curriculum and the design of teaching programs are all underpinned by Giralang Primary School's "Belief's About Teaching and Learning" (click here). Integrated Units of work that encompass multiple areas of learning provide a focus each term for classes. Teachers plan in terms and each term classes focus on a different integrated unit.
At Giralang, a strong emphasis is placed on providing quality Literacy and Numeracy programs that reflect best practice and current, effective approaches to teaching and learning. We have a school Literacy Plan and Numeracy Plan that are reviewed regularly.
Every Chance to Learn is an overarching document that has been designed to provide schools with guidance in developing their school curriculum documents. The final document, released in November 2007 has been implemented in Giralang's planning. To download the ACT Curriculum Framework, Every Chance to Learn, click here.
Teaching encompasses the eight Key Learning Areas identified by the Commonwealth Government. A number of additional programs also operate at Giralang.
Key Learning Areas
- The Creative Arts
- Health & Physical Education
- Literacy
- LOTE – Japanese
- Numeracy
- Science
- Studies of Society and Environment
- Technology
Additional programs
- Indigenous Education
- Architecture
- Gymnastics
- Waterwatch
- Rostrum Public Speaking
- Band (Brass)
- Music Tuition for Guitar or Piano
- Playground Peer Mediators
- Leadership Training
- Peer Tutoring & Cross-Age tutoring
- Buddy program
Key Learning Areas
The Creative Art programs at Giralang Primary School engage students in learning experiences concerning the visual arts, music, drama and dance as part of their natural growth and development. Each student in year 5 and 6 has the opportunity to participate in our Brass Band. Studies in The Creative Arts provide opportunities for each student to:
- appreciate and participate in the Arts;
- investigate and manipulate materials in order to create, make and present multimodal artworks;
- communicate through The Arts
- participate in and contribute to the cultural life of their society
- become informed consumers of The Arts
At Giralang we conduct broad and balanced physical activity programs designed to develop students’ skills, knowledge and attitudes as well as an understanding of their personal health. We provide a safe learning environment, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate.
Giralang Primary is a Health Promoting School where students participate in a range of sporting activities and programs. Children in kindergarten to year 2 devote 20 – 30 minutes a day to physical activity. In years 3 to 6, 180 minutes a week is spent on physical activity.
Students from kindergarten to year 2 experience a variety of Gross Motor activities. Activities within these sessions centre around play, aiming for enjoyment and participation.
Students from years 3-6 participate in a balanced physical education and health program. These sessions assist in skill development for participation in modified sports as well as participation in fitness activities.
Programs include:
- Inter-school sport
- Gym – whole school program with qualified specialist instructor and end of year competitions
- Dance – and a range of performance opportunities
- Coaching clinics conducted by Sport Development Officers
- Aussie Sport
- School Carnivals - Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics
- A whole school swimming program
- Aussie Sports – Senior students take part in the Active Australia program and lead activities for younger students offering structured play activities at lunchtime.
- Walking School Bus
- Smart Start
- Breakfast Club
- Sun Smart
- Healthy Harold Day
- Constable Kenny
- Life Education – a program which helps students analyse their own health behaviour patterns, obtain and assess information and to develop decision-making skills.
- Protective Behaviours - This program provides children with strategies and behaviours to cope with difficult and/or frightening situations which make them feel insecure. The key statements are: Everyone has the right to feel safe at all times. Nothing is so bad you can't talk about it.
The Literacy program provides learning strategies and sequence to ensure students are immersed in a wide variety of learning experiences.
The program includes;
- writing
- reading and viewing
- Speaking and listening.
From kindergarten to year 6, children are presented with opportunities to write using a range of styles, such as plays, poetry, narrative and exposition. Spelling and grammar guides and rules are explicitly taught and regularly reinforced within the reading/writing program. NSW Foundation Handwriting is taught throughout the school.
Reading strategies are used to develop an increased independence in this area. Students are exposed to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. A variety of strategies and resources are used to support students’ development across all literacy strands.
Students are offered opportunities to excel in English with such schemes as the University of NSW English competitions and Rostrum speaking competition.
Detailed Literacy Plan (Word Document, 73kb)
Japanese is the chosen LOTE (Language Other Than English) at Giralang Primary School. All classes, from kindergarten to year 6 are offered one class a week of language learning. Simple language, such as greetings, to more complex language patterns are taught to enable the students to communicate in Japanese at a basic level.
Skills in reading, writing and oral interaction are focused on equally, as is the way in which the language is used in its sociocultural context. A wide range of activities and strategies are used in order to achieve this. Japanese culture is also explored through discussion of festivals, common gestures and daily life in Japan.
The learning of Japanese enables students to develop communication skills that allow them to access a society and culture beyond their own.
Giralang uses a multi-faceted approach to numeracy that includes a variety of teaching strategies and resources. We plan comprehensive units of work based on thorough assessment of where children are at in their understanding and learning. Our planning and teaching of Mathematics allows students to develop competence in mathematical skills as well as an understanding of the processes. Children are taught Numeracy in groups that are appropriate to their level of need rather than grade level. All groupings are flexible, enabling movement as required to meet the individual needs of all students at any given time.
Detailed Numeracy Plan (Word Document, 223kb)
Science education provides opportunities for students to develop inquiring minds and to gain enjoyment and appreciation of science. Students are taught scientific procedure and are encouraged to develop the skills they require to make informed decisions. Students are encouraged to think creatively in a scientific context, and to appreciate the importance of science in their everyday lives.
The program is based on the ACT Frameworks and National Profiles.
The four strands are revisited at different levels of understanding throughout kindergarten to year 6.:
- Earth and beyond
- Energy and change
- Life and living
- Natural and processed materials
The fifth strand, "Working Scientifically", deals with the processes used in science and is implemented at all year levels. Giralang Primary School has developed a relationship with Gininderra Catchment Group and participate in their Water Watch program annually. The school has made positive contributions to science development within the cluster by our involvement in the Kaleen Village Farm project.
Studies of Society and Environment
Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) is an essential part of a balanced education program. Students investigate and learn the historical, cultural, social and environmental factors that shape their identity and that of society. Students develop knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes about people in their social and physical environments.
The curriculum places a strong emphasis on students developing an understanding about Australia and Australians. Students are actively involved in: Gaining knowledge and skills
Clarifying and articulating their attitudes, values and beliefs about themselves and others
Learning from the past, investigating the present and shaping the future.
Learning in Studies of Society and Environment assists students to empathise with others and understand and evaluate the nature of society to which they belong. Students will be equipped with the skills that will enable them to act as responsible citizens to ensure that they improve the quality of their society and environment.
Technology involves using knowledge and understanding in a useful application to meet human needs.
The technology program includes;
- ICT
- Design, make and appraise
Students have access to a dedicated computer lab where formal ICT lessons may be taught to a whole class group. In addition, each class area has a set of computers to ensure children are able to use and develop their ICT skills as an integrated part of all learning areas. Each class also has access to an interactive whiteboard.
Practical problem solving experiences are important for all year levels. Students are provided with a problem and allowed to creatively design and make a solution within the specified guidelines.
In all areas of technology, students are encouraged to critically appraise their work, developing their technological skills and language.
Addional Programs
Indigenous Education
We support Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities to attain equal access, participation, equity and improved outcomes whilst maintaining cultural integrity.
Giralang Primary School has an Indigenous Arts program. This involves both the performing art of dance and visual art of painting with Duncan Smith.
Giralang Primary School is an architectural and educational rarity in the ACT and in Australia. It has been acknowledged for many years as a distinctive example of architecture by professional bodies and architectural critics. We have close links with the Architectural School at the University of Canberra and where possible utilise their expertise to offer architectural design workshops for our students.
GymnasticsAt Giralang Primary School we offer Gymnastics to all students through an accredited and trained Gymnastics teacher. Students have the opportunity to participate in end-of-year competitions.
We are able to offer a Water Watch Program incorporating the Giralang wetlands as part of our formal curriculum.
Students from Kindergarten to Year six are involved each year in the ACT water watch program. Students are involved in conducting a number of tests to determine the water quality of the water catchment near the school grounds.
Each year the year 5 and 6 students are invited to participate in the Rostrum Public Speaking competition. From these class heats 6 children are chosen to compete in the school final, which is held in front of the whole school. A winner and runner up are chosen from this final. The winner moves on to a final involving around five other schools.
Giralang also hosts an evening final where students from other schools present their speeches.
This competition is run by Rostrum ACT and provides a wonderful springboard for our talented speakers.
Music Tuition for Guitar or Piano
Private tuition for Piano and Guitar is available to students during school time. Lessons are on a rotational basis so that children do not miss out on the same school lesson each week.
Senior students in the school participate in a training course to develop their skills to deal with problems on the playground. The emphasis is on mediation and assisting others to resolve problems for themselves. Once trained, the mediators wear special vests on the playground so that they are easily identified by other students seeking assistance.
Senior students are trained early in the school year to become effective leaders. They have opportunities to demonstrate their skills through the organisation of a number of events throughout the year. These include lunchtime sport, Buddy programs, Sport rotations, K-6 celebration groups for Book Week and other special events.
Peer Tutoring / Cross-age tutoring
Students are trained to support others with their learning across Key Learning Areas. This may involve a year three student listening to a year one student read, a group of senior students setting up gross motor activities or assisting with an area of expertise with a peer
