Curriculum areas
The Australian Curriculum is designed to help all young Australians to become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. Presented as a developmental sequence of learning from foundation – year 10, the Australian Curriculum describes to teachers, parents, students and others in the wider community what is to be taught and the quality of learning expected of young people as they progress through school.
The 8 leaning areas are:
- English
- Maths
- Health and Physical Education (PE)
- Science
- Japanese
- Humanities and Social Science
Each of these learning areas incorporate the general capabilities (literacy, numeracy, ICT, critical and creative thinking, intercultural understandings, ethical understanding and Personal and social capabilities), cross-curriculum priorities (sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture and Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia), and the child protection curriculum.
At Noarlunga Downs Primary school, our specialist teaching areas are Japanese and Health and PE.
Specialist areas
Physical Education
Our physical education program incorporates both daily physical activities and specialist PE lessons. Specialist PE lessons focus on fundamental movement skills, dance, movement exploration, active living, sports games, physical skills and gymnastics. Our extensive grounds, comprehensive range of equipment and air-conditioned and heated gymnasium ensure that our program can be run all year round.
Students regularly take part in sporting clinics including tennis, basketball, netball, football, golf, soccer and gymnastics. These clinics are often organised and run by local and state sporting clubs and associations, through the Federal ‘Sporting Schools’ initiative.
The school is affiliated with SA School Sports, formerly known as SAPSASA. Our students participate in an annual inter-school track and field event at Tatachilla College. Furthermore, our school hosts the annual Inter School Cross Country event, which incorporates two districts, with over 30 schools and 800 student competitors participating. To be eligible to participate in SA School Sport events, students must be turning 10 years old, or older in the current calendar year. SA School Sports also offer opportunities for students to try out for other sporting carnivals such as football, netball, hockey, softball, swimming and tennis.
Noarlunga Downs students participate in the ‘Premier’s Be Active Challenge’ each year. Swimming and water safety lessons for reception – year 4 students and the Aquatics program for year 5 & 6 students are scheduled each year. Our regional special class access the Department for Education’s extended swimming and water safety program weekly throughout the year, with fully qualified education department swimming instructors.
Languages
The language taught is Japanese for all students from reception – year 6.
For more information on the Australian Curriculum, please see the link below.
Nature play
At Noarlunga Downs Primary School we promote nature play in our school. Nature play promotes learning through group work, cooperation and communication. It stimulates brain development, imagination and creativity. Students learn to address risk taking in natural play spaces.
Regional special class (Years 3-6)
Students with diagnosed disabilities are allocated by a regional process to the class managed by the Department for Education. Enrolling at Noarlunga Downs Primary School does not expediate entry to this class.
There are only 12 children in this class at any given time and their learning is catered for by a special education teacher and a school support officer. The program addresses the specific learning needs of the children.
Students participate in all of the day to day aspects of schooling and regular integration sessions enable them to form friendships with other students across the school.