At St Kevin’s we offer three specialist classes; Science, Performing Arts and Physical Education.
Languages – Italian
At St Kevin’s School, the learning of languages (Italian) is strategically implemented across the school in daily, short sessions.
In this contemporary model, our educators are co-learners of language and are supported by the school’s Language Assistant. Students are immersed in 10 minute, daily sessions that focus on learning functional classroom language and the use of gestures to support language learning, retention and use.
Strategies used to build student growth in the spoken Italian language include:
- Scaffolded learning sequences, to build Italian vocabulary from Foundation to Year 6
- Assessment, to monitor student achievement in Italian
- The use of gestures, to support language learning, retention and use
- Timetabled, daily Italian sessions, to build proficiency in the speaking of Italian
- The school’s language assistant, to work alongside staff and students
Educators as co-learners, to substitute common words and simple instructions in English with Italian
Science – The students Prep to 6 have an hour of Science a week. This is facilitated by a Specialist teacher. Classroom teachers also teach Science as part of the inquiry process.
At St Kevin’s Science is a means of expanding the student’s curiosity and willingness to explore, ask questions about and speculate on the changing world in which they live. We develop the student’s understanding that science explores the nature of living things, of the Earth and its place in the cosmos, and of the physical and chemical processes that explain the behaviour of all material things.
We foster the nature of scientific inquiry and the ability to use a range of scientific inquiry methods, including questioning, planning and conducting experiments and investigations based on ethical principles, collecting and analysing data, evaluating results, and drawing critical, evidence-based conclusions.
We communicate scientific understanding and findings to a range of audiences, to justify ideas on the basis of evidence, and to evaluate and debate scientific arguments and claims.
We solve problems and make informed, evidence-based decisions about current and future applications of science while taking into account ethical and social implications of decisions.
We build a solid foundation of knowledge of the biological, chemical, physical, Earth and space sciences, including being able to select and integrate the scientific knowledge and methods needed to explain and predict phenomena, to apply that understanding to new situations and events, and to appreciate the dynamic nature of science knowledge.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts program at St Kevin’s is designed to enhance the creative potential of every child. It provides learning experiences where students are encouraged to create, have a go and take a risk, to feel good about themselves, their efforts and the efforts of others. Performance based skills assist in the development of self-awareness, self-esteem, confidence, individual and collaborative creativity and decision making and informed aesthetic responses to their own works and the works of other people.
The Performing Arts elements of Music, Drama and Dance are taught by a specialist in weekly one hour lessons. The program is developmentally structured and provides learning experiences in:
- singing
- percussion instrumental playing
- recorder playing
- composition
- dramatic play and skills
- stage craft
- listening skills
- oral language skills
- dance and movement
We have a whole school production every second year and have performed shows such as The Lion King Junior, The Jungle Book and Alice in Wonderland.
Physical Education
Our specialist classes for Physical Education allow students to develop their fine and gross motor skills as well as learn how to play a wide variety of sports. We have a specialised tennis program on site, where all students spend one term focusing on tennis skills. We also have a swimming program for Prep to Year 4, that promotes water safety and develops swimming skills. Year 3-6 students have the opportunity to represent the school in many interschool sporting competitions such as: athletics, cross country running, swimming, basketball, football, netball, soccer and tennis, just to name a few.