Curriculum Overview
Vale Park Primary teaching staff implement the curriculum as guided by the South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability Framework.
The framework includes eight primary areas of study, incorporating:
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Five essential learning areas underpin these, namely:
- Futures
- Identity
- Interdependence
- Thinking
- Communication
Seven key competencies have also been identified:
- Collecting, analysing and organising information
- Communicating ideas and information
- Planning and organising activities
- Working with others and in teams
- Using mathematical ideas and techniques
- Problem solving
- Using technology
Site Learning Plan
The school's strategic directions as outlined in the Site Learning Plan are designed to improve learning for all students, and encouraging improvement of students' well being.
A Coordinator – a formal school leadership position - has been appointed until the end of 2007 with a focus on improving teaching and learning. This staff member is released from classroom teaching duties one day each week to attend to tasks associated with this important position.
Safe routes to school program
Every year a number of primary school aged pedestrians, cyclists and passengers are killed or seriously injured in road crashes in South Australia.
The Safe Routes to School program aims to make the trip to and from school safer for primary school aged children who walk, cycle or are driven to school.
Vale Park Primary is a participant of this program, that brings together the local council, Transport SA and members of the school community – to work to identify and reduce local road dangers to children.
Under the program, Parents and children identify the main routes used and any problems experienced by children on their way to and from school. They complete a travel survey that highlights how children travel to and from school, why they choose this mode of transport, the route they travel along and any problems they encounter along the way.
Our Patch
Our Patch is located on public land along the picturesque River Torrens
Linear Park at Vale Park just upstream from the Ascot Avenue Road Bridge.
Since the Vale Park Primary Our Patch program began in August 2000, it has
developed into an important part of the school curriculum.
Over that time, students have helped plant more than 4500 locally native
plants, removed over 7500 litres of weeds, and installed bird, bat and possum
nestboxes along the River Torrens.
The program has also seen regular water testing and frog census conducted at two sites, painting of educational frog and wildlife murals for the school fence and on nearby stobie poles, and the development of a number of Interpretive Trails.
Information and Communication Technology
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Students enjoy access to a range of leading edge Information and Communication Technologies, with the Computer Suite houses 18 IBM computers with Internet access, laser printer, data show projectors, digital video equipment and software, clay animation equipment and digital cameras. The Resource Centre has an additional 15 Computers, as well as printers and other equipment. The newest piece of innovative equipment to be purchased is an Interactive White Board, which has added new opportunities for teaching and learning. Each classroom has two IBM computers connected to the Internet, laser printer, sound software and microphone. Each pair of classrooms shares a digital camera. Teachers have a dedicated staff computer on their desk. |
