YEAR LEVELS
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL JOURNEY
Whilst in the Primary School students are provided with opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities that enable their development as academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically balanced citizens of our college community.
Well established transition programs exist for students entering Prep and Year 7. For new Prep students, strong partnerships with neighbourhood kindergartens, information workshops, meet the teacher days (when each student and their parents meet with their Prep teacher prior to starting school) and staggered transition times ensure students and families become familiar with teachers and the school environment in a supported and nurturing manner. Transition programs into the Secondary School commence at Year 4 and continue into Year 6. As a Prep to Year 12 College the Year 6 to Year 7 transition process is seamless.
The academic and pastoral needs of all students are well supported by highly qualified staff, a well establish Student Wellbeing team that includes two full time College psychologists and ancillary staff who provide needs based and intervention programs in the areas of numeracy and literacy (including Reading Recovery). Teachers, in consultation with parents, develop Individual Learning Programs (ILPs) for student who may have special or additional academic or physical needs. Families, of students who have funding to support their specific needs, participate in Parent Support Group (PSG) meetings on a regular basis. These students are overseen by the Head of Student Wellbeing.
The Head of Primary Teaching and Learning and Faith and Mission is employed to oversee the development and delivery of the curriculum, teaching and learning, religious education and the sacramental program. This Primary Leader is supported by a Head of Literacy, a Head of Numeracy and a Head of Sports and Guilds. All staff undertake extensive Professional development throughout the academic year.
Assessment and reporting is regular and ongoing. Each year interviews with parents and students are conducted on two formal occasions to provide feedback on student progress. Academic reports are completed and distributed at the each of each semester.
Specialist programs are offered in the areas of Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Italian and Performing and Visual Arts. Programs are supported by access to wonderful facilities including a science laboratory, a visual arts studio and the Calthorpe Resource Centre. We are fortunate to have extensive access to Information Technology throughout the College that is appropriate to the needs of all students. Learning is also supported and enhanced by well-established excursion and incursion programs and camping programs.
A wide range of co-curricular activities (for example; choir, dance, chess) are offered to further enrich the learning and social development of students. Students also have extensive opportunities to participate in Guild and inter-school sporting competitions including; cross country, swimming, athletics, netball, australian rules, soccer, Tball and basketball.
Each student is a member of one of the six College Guilds. Students have the opportunity to participate in guild activities throughout the year such as walk to school days and activity days. A buddy program, across different year levels, enables engagement between the younger and older students in the Primary School through a range of activities.
There are many opportunities for students to demonstrate their leadership qualities with involvement in the Student Representative Council, Primary Leadership and roles as Guild Captains. Throughout their Primary schooling at Marymede Catholic College students are engaged in a range of special events including whole College, Primary and Year level assemblies and events.
Highlights of Prep – Year 6
Prep
Comprehensive transition program
Prep specific play areas
Many celebration assemblies and liturgies including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Palm Sunday
Catholic Education Literacy assessments
Maths Number interviews (assessment)
Excursions and incursions that support and extend learning
Timetabled computer lab sessions in the Calthorpe Resource Centre
Ipad access
Year 1
Reading Recovery
Catholic Education Literacy assessments
Maths Number interviews (assessment)
Excursions and incursions that support learning
Banks of computers in House areas
Timetabled computer lab sessions in the Calthorpe Resource Centre
Year 2
Catholic Education Literacy assessments
Maths Number Interviews (assessment)
Excursions and incursions that support learning
Timetabled computer lab sessions in the Calthorpe Resource Centre
Banks of computers in House areas
Year 3
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Student Representative Council opportunities
On Demand testing – literacy and numeracy
Marymede Literacy Pre-testing
Excursions and incursions that support learning
NAPLAN
Year 3 Dinner and activities evening
Timetabled computer lab sessions in the Calthorpe Resource Centre
Banks of computers in House areas
Year 4
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Student Representative Council opportunities
On Demand testing – literacy and numeracy
Robert Allwell assessments – literacy and numeracy
Marymede Literacy Pre-testing
Primary school diary
A taste of Marymede Catholic College Secondary School life– beginning transition to secondary
Year 4 Overnight stay on campus
Timetables computer lab sessions in the Calthorpe Resource Centre
Year 5
Student Representative Council opportunities
On Demand testing – literacy and numeracy
Marymede Literacy Pre-testing
Recorder program with opportunities to join the band
Primary school diary
A day in the Secondary school transition program
Year 5 Adventure Camp (2 night 3 day days)
NAPLAN
Interschool sports opportunities
1:1 computer technology devices
Year 6
Sacrament of Confirmation
Primary leadership opportunities
Social Justice – student led prayer session
Instrumental band – all students learn to play an instrument
On Demand testing – literacy and numeracy
Robert Allwell assessments – literacy and numeracy
Marymede Literacy Pre-testing
Primary school diary
Transition to Secondary –a series of classroom experiences in the Marymede Catholic College Secondary School
Holy Week Play
Year 6 Educational tour to Canberra (4 night 5 days)
Primary School Graduation
Interschool sports opportunities
1:1 computer devices