We have a consistent approach to teaching and learning across every class in our school. Known as our ‘Instructional Model’, this consistent approach is based on contemporary research and best practice. Centring on a Gradual Release of Responsibility (from teacher to student) and built around a structured lesson flowing from Learning Intentions, to Feedback and Reflection, the model ensures your child will experience the same approach in every classroom. This provides certainty and routine for our students and assurance for our parents that every teacher in our school will be planning and teaching in a consistent and effective way.
School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a whole-school framework which provides a research based approach to promote positive behaviour at our school. This sets out specifically how we interact as a community – our students, our staff and our broader community.
We expect students to demonstrate behaviours that reflect our school values of
Excellence, Resilience and Respect.
Our teachers explicitly teach these behaviour expectations in line with our Behaviour Matrix and the Victorian Curriculum.
Our learning program follows the Victorian Curriculum. You can read about specific elements of our curriculum below.
More information about the Victorian Curriculum can be found on the VCAA website.
Literacy Learning @ KPS
The teaching of Literacy is a priority at KPS. Our school-wide reading program builds fluent, accurate and expressive readers, with a range of comprehension strategies students use to fully understand the texts they read. In the Junior School there is a focus on developing oral language – increasing vocabulary and speaking in full sentences; and phonics – being able to stretch words out to identify each sound and blending sounds together to make words.
Every student at KPS has their own Writer’s Notebook. In this book the students develop their skills as writers. Students are encouraged to develop their own ‘voice’ as they practise writing narratives, recounts, persuasive and information pieces.
Numeracy Learning @ KPS
At KPS maths skills are taught explicitly in number, measurement and geometry, and chance and data using examples from real life. Through our classroom based Mathematics program students develop their capacity in four proficiency areas of Numeracy – Understanding, Problem Solving, Problem-solving and Reasoning. Students then apply these skills to solve open-ended problems in small groups. Understanding the problem and deciding on the best strategy to solve the problem is developing our students as Maths thinkers. Each maths lesson begins with a whole school mental maths program, whose aim is to build automatic recall of basic number facts. Students answer, accurately, as many quick number facts as they can in 8 minutes.
Opportunities to draw upon and apply these Numeracy skills are incorporated into all areas of the curriculum through our Inquiry Learning approach.
Inquiry Learning @ KPS
With a specific focus on developing student’s curiosity and creative thinking skills our Inquiry Learning approach begins in Foundation and Junior classes with opportunities for students to participate in sessions of developmental play. During these sessions, students develop communication and collaboration skills as they move from parallel play to more assosciative play with their peers. They learn about sharing and negotiation while building creative masterpieces!
In our Middle school classes the opportunites become more structured as students participate in Genius Hour. This approach sets a challenge for students who then come up with an idea based on something they are interested in as a solution to the challenge.
As students move into Senior school, a Challenge Based Learning model is used. In this model a clear challenge is set and students work collaboratively with the peers to develop a solution and present this to the school community. This approach helps students to develop their ability to research, question, think deeply and flexibly, and present their ideas in a clear and cohesive manner.
Science Learning @KPS Science provides students with a way of answering interesting and important questions abouth the biological, chemical, physical and earth and space world. Science is all about investigating the world around us. Students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of important scientific concepts, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, the contribution of science to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives.
Students develop critical and creative thinking skills and challenge themselves to identify questions, apply new knowledge, explain science phenomena and draw evidence-based conclusions using scientific methods. At Kilsyth PS, students participate in one hour of specialist science lessons each week, taught by a specialist science teacher.
Visual Arts and Indonesian @ KPS
The students learn the Art elements of line, shape, colour pattern and texture. They are encouraged to use their imagination as much as possible. The students are taught skills in mark making, drawing, collage, painting, printing threads and textiles, modelling and construction.
Creativity and independent thinking is a focus in each session, and all students are supported in thinking outside the box and linking their individual art work with their feelings and personality traits.
Physical Education and Sport @KPS
At Kilsyth Primary school our Physical Education and Sport program aims to encourage every child to be active every day. Through active play and structured movement activities this enable students to develop and practise Fundamental movement skills. Students participate in team sports which promote a sense of cooperation, team work and fosters an appreciation for ‘good sportsmanship’. The Physical Education program is designed from Foundation to Year 6 where students continually build upon their skills through games and activities. Our main emphasis is on participation for all and an enjoyment of physical activity.
Digital Learning @ KPS
The use of digital technology is a fundamental part of our approach at Kilsyth Primary School.
In 2024 wer are also introducing iLearn, a digital technology based specialist class where students will learn robotics, coding, safe and responsible technolgy use and other creative ICT uses.
Auslan as our Language
We teach Auslan as our language other than English.
Taught through a blended method – video lessons supported by in class teaching and practise – Auslan is the official sign language used in Australia. It’s evolved and grown over hundreds of years to eventually become the Auslan we know today.
It continues to develop, especially as new technological terms and words are introduced and become commonplace in spoken language. Auslan often borrows signs from American Sign Language (ASL), so there can sometimes be a little bit of crossover.
When discussing Auslan for schools and why it’s important, there are many reasons. Auslan is the main language used by the D/deaf community in Australia. Therefore, it’s super important to teach Auslan in order to ensure that schools and places of learning are inclusive and accessible.
Literacy Learning @ KPS
Literacy Learning @ KPS
The teaching of Literacy is a priority at KPS. Our school-wide reading program builds fluent, accurate and expressive readers, with a range of comprehension strategies students use to fully understand the texts they read. In the Junior School there is a focus on developing oral language – increasing vocabulary and speaking in full sentences; and phonics – being able to stretch words out to identify each sound and blending sounds together to make words.
Every student at KPS has their own Writer’s Notebook. In this book the students develop their skills as writers. Students are encouraged to develop their own ‘voice’ as they practise writing narratives, recounts, persuasive and information pieces.
Numeracy Learning @ KPS
Numeracy Learning @ KPS At KPS maths skills are taught explicitly in number, measurement and geometry, and chance and data using examples from real life. Through our classroom based Mathematics program students develop their capacity in four proficiency areas of Numeracy – Understanding, Problem Solving, Problem-solving and Reasoning. Students then apply these skills to solve open-ended problems in small groups. Understanding the problem and deciding on the best strategy to solve the problem is developing our students as Maths thinkers. Each maths lesson begins with a whole school mental maths program, whose aim is to build automatic recall of basic number facts. Students answer, accurately, as many quick number facts as they can in 8 minutes. Opportunities to draw upon and apply these Numeracy skills are incorporated into all areas of the curriculum through our Inquiry Learning approach.Inquiry Learning @ KPS
Inquiry Learning @ KPS
With a specific focus on developing student’s curiosity and creative thinking skills our Inquiry Learning approach begins in Foundation and Junior classes with opportunities for students to participate in sessions of developmental play. During these sessions, students develop communication and collaboration skills as they move from parallel play to more assosciative play with their peers. They learn about sharing and negotiation while building creative masterpieces!
In our Middle school classes the opportunites become more structured as students participate in Genius Hour. This approach sets a challenge for students who then come up with an idea based on something they are interested in as a solution to the challenge.
As students move into Senior school, a Challenge Based Learning model is used. In this model a clear challenge is set and students work collaboratively with the peers to develop a solution and present this to the school community. This approach helps students to develop their ability to research, question, think deeply and flexibly, and present their ideas in a clear and cohesive manner.
Science Learning @ KPS
Science Learning @KPS
Science provides students with a way of answering interesting and important questions abouth the biological, chemical, physical and earth and space world. Science is all about investigating the world around us. Students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of important scientific concepts, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, the contribution of science to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives.
Students develop critical and creati thinking skills and challenge themselves to identify questions, apply new knowledge, explain science phenomena and draw evidence-based conclusions using scientific methods. At Kilsyth PS, students participate in one hour of specialist science lessons each week, taught by a specialist science teacher.
Physical Education and Sport @KPS
Physical Education and Sport @KPS
This page is under construction, please check back soon for more info
Digital Learning @KPS
Digital Learning @ KPS
This page is under construction, please check back soon for more info
Learning Support @KPS
Learning Support @ KPS
The Levelled Literacy Intervention program is offered to students throughout the school who need extra support with their reading. Small groups of students with similar needs meet 3 to 4 times a week to work on the mechanics of reading and to develop the strategies to monitor reading and self-correct errors, as well as build comprehension strategies. Our LLI program has been braodened to included an extension program for independent readers in the Junior School.
Within each year level team, teacher aides are available to provide one-on-one and small group support for those students that need it. To ensure we meet the needs of individual students, we carefully monitor the progress each child makes in their learning and develop personalised Individual Education Plans for those students who are performing below, or above, the level expected. These plans outline the appropriate challenge and support that will be provided.
Student Representative Council
Instrumental Music Lessons
Out of School Hours Care
School Production/Wakakirri
We hold a full school production every two years. This is usually a musical play with Senior School students playing the main roles and all students from Foundation -Year 6 participating in dance items. This is a highlight of our biannual calendar.
On alternate years to our production students from Years 3-6 have the option to take part in the Wakakirri school story-dance festival.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Library
We have an excellent Library at KPS. Our central school library is a bright, colourful and inviting space each grade spends at least one hour each week in the library reading and borrowing books. Each level area has its own level library of age appropriate books for students to readily and easily access for research and reading during classtime.
Once a week we hold a “Book Lovers” club in the Library at lunchtime for students to bring their favourite book and spend time reading quietly and discussing books with friends.
Student Leadership
Sustainability
Valuing and respecting our environment is a an integral part of life at KPS. Students run our recycling and composting programs, collecting compostable food waste to be used as compost on our school vegetable garden.
Our Frog Bog and natural bushland area are much loved areas of our school grounds. Including a ‘yarning circle’, these areas provide a wonderful outdoor learning environment for our students.
Lunchtime Activities
After School Basketball
Camps & Excursions
Swimming
Breakfast Club
