Curriculum Overview

An overview of St John Vianney's curriculum can be found in the side headings which have been divided into the following key learning areas: 

Religious Education

The Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn has set out on a pilgrimage to reimagine the possibilities for Religious Education in each of our schools. Throughout this journey St John Vianney’s staff will be asking:

  • How do young people and the youth of today best learn about Faith?
  • How can we lead students to engage in Faith through Inquiry?
  • What do teachers need to do to become effective in the instruction of the Faith and Traditions of the Catholic Church?
  • How can we inspire students to courageously embrace the call of Pope Francis for us to become Missionary Disciples and be a religious voice in the world?

The curriculum is based around the following strands: God and God’s Creation, Jesus and Discipleship, Church in the World, Prayer and Celebration.

Religious Education is also undertaken as students participate in reflection days and retreats, in the liturgical and prayer, life of the school, and in community service activities and social justice programs.  Sacramental programs are organised by the Parish in conjunction with the school.

English

The English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands - Language, Literature and Literacy.  Our teaching and learning programs balance and integrate all three strands, focusing on developing, expanding and consolidating students’ skills in:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Viewing
  • Speaking
  • Listening

Phonics, Spelling and Grammer are important underlying skills that are taught in the junior years and continue throughout the senior years while students undertake complex and sophisticated texts.

Some examples of the activities and strategies we employ are: 

  • reading records and spelling activities
  • Regular testing of literacy levels
  • Writing using different methods of text
  • Written research projects and activities
  • Use of technology to develop research, word processing and desktop publishing skills
  • Use of Interactive Whiteboard technology
  • Public Speaking, including Rostrum

Mathematics 

The Mathematics curriculum program is divided into the following strands:

  • Number and Algebra
  • Measurement and Geometry
  • Statistics and Probability

Mathematical teaching uses a primarily ‘hands on’ approach, with children working with concrete materials on a daily basis. The mathematics curriculum focuses on developing increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, logical reasoning, analytical thought and problem solving skills.

Humanity and Social Sciences

Humanity & Social Sciences(HaSS) covers the study of human behaviour and interaction in a social, cultural, environmental, economic and political context.  HaSS have a historical and contemporary focus, looking at personal and global contexts and considering challenges for the future.

The Australian Curriculum area of Humanities and Social Sciences includes a study of history, geography, civics and citizenship, and economics and business.

HaSS shows students how different factors interrelate and to develop abilities to

  • question
  • think critically
  • solve problems
  • communicate effectively
  • make decisions
  • adapt to change

Science

The Science curriculum focuses on developing students’ interest in science and an appreciation of how science provides a means of exploring and understanding the changing world in which they live. It provides an understanding of scientific inquiry methods, a foundation of knowledge across the disciplines of science and develops an ability to communicate scientific understanding and use evidence to solve problems and make evidence-based decisions.

The strands of the Science curriculum are: Science Understanding, Science Inquiry Skills and Science as Human Endeavour.

The six overarching ideas that frame the curriculum are:

  • Patterns
  • Order and organisation
  • Form and function
  • Stability and change
  • Scale and measurement
  • Matter and energy and Systems.

The Arts

Through the Arts Program students develop intellectual, social, physical and aesthetic understanding and skills that assist them to create, explore and communicate ideas and appreciate a variety of art forms.

The Arts curriculum includes:

  • Music
  • Drama
  • Dance
  • Visual Arts
  • Media Arts
SJV has a specialist teacher who takes responsibility for the teaching of music, dance and drama.  Visual and Media Arts is taught and developed in many ways within the classroom, it is often integrated purposly into other curriculum. 
 
The skills and abilities that students develop in the Arts Program are regularly visable during Class Assembly, Litergies and at the end of year concert.

Languages other than English (LOTE): Italian

Standard Italian or italiano standard is the official language of Italy, the Vatican, City, San Marino and parts of Switzerland.  It is also an official language of the European Union, and a major community language in many countries including Australia.

SJV have an Italian cultural and language program which is taught to all classes from Kindergarten to Year Six and follows the Australian Curriculum.  The students are taught Italian history, customs and the language.  SJV also incorporates this program into other school activities where possible and the students deliver prayers and celebrations in Italian throughout the year.

Information Communcation Technology inc. BYOD

Technology is not a subject by itself but a learning tool that crosses all subject areas.  Students receive tuition in ICT skills and practice skills as an integrated component of the classroom program.

St John Vianney’s is committed to developing children’s ICT skills with a computer lab, computers in the junior and senior wings, Interactive Whiteboards, tablets and laptop computers for use by both teachers and students in every classroom.

SJV has Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for students in Year 5 and 6 where students bring a personally owned (or family owned) device to school for the purpose of learning.  Policy and Guidelines apply.

Health and Physical Education 

The Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum is related to health and personal development, including protective and sun smart behaviors and comprises a Physical Education Program that teaches skill development and sports. The curriculum promotes the positive social, psychological and physical development of each student. Externally provided sport programs, whole school sporting events and professional coaching sessions complement the curriculum.

St John Vianney’s has a strong commitment to a sound sporting program. The children participate in weekly physical education lessons and several sporting clinics, run by sporting clubs, throughout the year. All children participate in school carnivals including annual cross country running, athletics and swimming. These events enable students to experience different levels of competition at school, inter school, Canberra district and, for the very talented, Australian level.

St John Vianney's will always encourage the students to participate in annual Soccer, and Netball and Touch Catholic Primary School Carnivals, aswell as team and individual weekend school sports.