Curriculum
All schools including St. Philomena’s Catholic Primary School in Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, follow the same Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum, with our Catholic values underpinning everything that we do.
With a focus on the development of the whole person, curriculum offered at the school covers the NESA syllabus requirements – developing the core skills of literacy and numeracy – and our Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Religious Education curriculum.
Our teachers extend and challenge students to be the best they can be, building responsibility while recognising the human uniqueness and sacred dignity of each student.
Religious Education
Catholic Schools hold core Catholic beliefs as central to their mission. Such beliefs permeate all that is done in a Catholic School, including teaching and learning across the entire curriculum.
At St. Philomena’s we believe that through Religious Education in our classrooms and in partnership with our parents and parish community, students will gain knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ the person and the traditions of the Catholic faith.
All curriculum areas have a religious dimension: inviting students to examine the world of human culture and the world of religion, exploring a Catholic worldview, fostering the search for meaning and truth, and making links to the Good News of Jesus. This religious dimension is given depth by the faith witness of staff through their presence, relationships and teaching.
Catholic Schools view Religious Education as a core curriculum area. As well as being an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills, values and dispositions, Religious Education in a Catholic School invites students into a deepening encounter with the living God.
Within each of the key learning areas, teaching/learning programs are developed to make explicit the Catholic values relevant to each area of study. Catholic teachings integrated within key learning areas, aim to help students learn in different subjects how to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and soul, and mind and your neighbour as yourself' (Mt 22: 37-39).
All students are expected to participate in the religious life of the school. This includes their participation in Religious Education classes.
English
Students are challenged to live by Christian values in a world of accelerating change, therefore literacy skills are crucial to the development of the individual made in God’s image and likeness. In English ‘students learn to read, write, speak, view and represent language. They learn about the English language and literature through working with a wide range of spoken, visual, multimedia and digital texts. Students learn how language varies according to context, and how to communicate with a range of audiences for different purposes. They learn to read for information and pleasure. Students gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar. They also learn to think in ways that are imaginative, creative and critical.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority
Literacy is the effective use of knowledge and skills to interpret and use language confidently for learning, communicating and engaging in society. It involves the integration of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, creating, writing and critical thinking. These skills are applied in different curriculum areas for a variety of purposes.
Mathematics
In Kindergarten to Year 6, Mathematics ‘focuses on developing students’ mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning and problem-solving through their study of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations, using strategies to make decisions and solve problems relevant to their further education and everyday lives.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.
Numeracy is the effective use of Mathematics to meet the demands of daily learning and life. Numeracy takes place across the curriculum and throughout the school day in a variety of contexts.
Science &Technology
The Science syllabus covers Science and Technology for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
Science and Technology ‘fosters in students a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Students are encouraged to embrace new concepts and to learn through trialling, testing and refining ideas. They are supported to participate responsibly in developing innovative ideas and solutions in response to questions and opportunities relevant to them and the world around them.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.
Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) ‘provides opportunities for students to explore the past and present to develop an understanding of their personal and community identity. They investigate the interactions between people, places and environments that shape their nation and world. They learn to participate in society as informed, responsible and active citizens.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.
The focus is on History and Geography in Kindergarten to Year 6.
Creative Arts
Creative Arts ‘gives students experiences in the visual arts, music, drama and dance. They have opportunities to explore their creativity in each of these areas. Students learn to appreciate the meanings and values that each art form offers. They perform and express themselves through the visual arts, music, drama and dance.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.
PDHPE
‘Through Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) students develop self-management, interpersonal and movement skills to help them become empowered, self-confident and socially responsible citizens. The learning experiences in PDHPE provide students with a foundation to actively contribute to, and advocate for the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the community and beyond school. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in physical activity to develop movement skills and recognise the impact of physical activity on health and wellbeing.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.