Learning
Mainstream
At Thornbury Primary School we work towards a common goal of a differentiated learning approach as we recognise that all learners are individuals.
While Literacy and Numeracy are core aspects in the Victorian Curriculum, we also believe that learners should express creativity, through various means, towards life long learning experiences.
At Thornbury Primary School we are passionate about preparing students for life in the 21st century. To prepare our students for the unknowns of tomorrow, the most important thing is we teach, inspire and allow them to become great learners. The ability to learn is the most fundamental skill we must develop in our students. In our classes students have ownership of their work, set their own personal learning goals, receive feedback on their effort as well as their achievements, and they are challenged every day.
The Victorian Curriculum can be found at victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au
Steiner Program
Thornbury Primary School began its Steiner curriculum in 2006 after three years of preparation. We now have students from Foundation to Grade Six and have much to celebrate and be proud of. The clip below gives an overview of some aspects of the program.
The Steiner craft curriculum fosters in the child an artistic feeling that promotes harmonious rhythm and balance, and a sense of colour and aesthetics. The child develops a deep connection to the joy and satisfaction of making something with their own hands whilst developing their hand–eye coordination and manual dexterity. The child also develops a practical intelligence based on the will, discipline, cooperation, organisation and self-direction to complete a worthwhile task.
Our Steiner curriculum is within a State system and must adhere to the rules, regulations and laws of State education. Teachers in the Steiner program integrate the Victorian Curriculum, which can be found at victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au, with aspects of the national Steiner curriculum, which can be found at www.steinereducation.edu.au
To view our program in further detail please view ‘The Steiner Curriculum at Thornbury Primary School‘:
Indigenous studies
Throughout the year, Terri teaches an Indigenous Studies program that links in with each class’ inquiry unit/main lesson, and provides an Indigenous perspective to what students are learning. The program also focuses on key Indigenous events throughout the year, such as Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC, as well as significant local and national Indigenous individuals or groups. Also covered in the program, and appropriate to curriculum requirements for each grade level, are any relevant historical and contemporary issues that are connected to these events and people.
Through acceptance of different cultures students grow more tolerant of each other. This program is unique to our school and is being monitored by other schools interested in Indigenous issues.
Terri also assists students to practice and consolidate aspects of the Woiwurrung language (spoken by the Wurundjeri people) that have been introduced at our school. It is hoped that she will be able to introduce new language in the near future, with the support of the Wurundjeri Council.
Croxton multi-age program
The Multi-Age program at Thornbury Primary School caters for primary aged students from Croxton School’s Northcote Campus. Students who attend the program have an Intellectual Disability. The program is coordinated by two full-time staff members. All activities and tasks are implemented in line with the Victorian Curriculum. The program focuses on students individual learning needs and aims to develop / extend students social skills within a mainstream setting.
Students in the Multi-Age program participate in age appropriate programs within the mainstream setting. Students are assisted by a Multi-Age staff member when they are actively involved in mainstream classes. Multi-Age students are also involved in classes offered at Croxton Schools Northcote Campus. Students attending the Multi-Age program are required to wear our school uniform.
Parent/Carer Contact
Speaking to the teacher
Parents/carers are welcome to speak with teachers informally outside school hours. The best time is AFTER school as teachers are generally busy in the morning preparing for the day’s lessons.
If it is a matter that will take some time to discuss, it would be a good idea to telephone to make an appointment so that the teacher can arrange to be available to see you.
If you wish to speak to the principal, telephone the school, or call at the office for an appointment.
Reporting
Two written reports are presented to parents/carers – Semester 1 at the end of Term 2, followed by Student Led Conversations; and Semester 2 at the end of Term 4.
If, at any other time, you wish to talk to your child’s teacher in regard to your child’s progress, please feel free to arrange a suitable time with them. Please do not hesitate to raise any thoughts or concerns in relation to your child with the classroom teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal.
Student Led Conversations can be booked online via COMPASS.
Compass
Thornbury Primary School uses Compass to send instant notifications, newsletters and important notices to the school community.
Compass is easy to download and install from the app store (iPhone) or play store (Android) or access via any modern web browser.
To log in for the first time please see our office staff to set you up.