Teaching & Learning

Kennington Primary School’s vision is to maximise learning opportunities for all students in Literacy and Numeracy. We continuously reflect on this vision and implement strategies to ensure every student in our school is completing high-quality learning tasks in all learning areas. We acknowledge that the study of English (Literacy) is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps to create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through the study of English, that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them. The study of English helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, thoughtful, informed and active members of society and plays an important part in developing the understanding, attitudes and capabilities of those who will take responsibility for Australia’s future.

At Kennington Primary School, our Literacy programs provide opportunities for students to:

• listen to, read, view, speak, write and reflect on a variety of rich fiction and non-fiction texts
• develop an understanding of communicating through spoken and written language
• read and write a variety of texts for pleasure and authentic purposes
• complete tasks that are customised for students’ individual learning needs
• reflect on their learning and strive to achieve their individualised learning goals that have been created with the support of their teachers.

The three dimensions of English are Reading and Viewing, Writing and Speaking & Listening. At Kennington Primary School, students generally complete two hours of explicit Literacy instruction each morning. During this time, they undertake tasks that have been carefully designed by our teachers. Through rigorous assessment and ongoing goal-setting between our students and teachers, we strive to develop personalised instruction to meet every students learning needs. We cater for students with differing abilities, interests and learning preferences and our goal is for all students to learn what they need to learn and not repeat what they already know.

READING

Reading and Viewing involves students understanding, interpreting, critically analysing, reflecting upon, and enjoying written and visual, print and non-print texts. It encompasses reading and viewing a wide range of texts and media, including literary texts. Reading involves active engagement with texts and the development of knowledge about the relationship between them and the contexts in which they are created. It also involves the development of knowledge about a range of strategies for reading. We continuously monitor our students’ reading progress and set learning goals based on our ongoing assessment. All of our Reading programs are influenced by research and evidence. We assess students formally using The Fountas and Pinnell Benchmarking System. Every student at Kennington Primary School has access to a variety of quality home reading materials. Students who regularly complete their home reading are acknowledged at our assemblies and have their name published in the newsletter when they reach our reading milestones; those being the 100 Club, the 200 Club and the 300 Club.

WRITING

Writing is a complex process that involves planning, composing, editing, revising and publishing. It involves using appropriate language for particular purposes and expressing and representing ideas and experiences. Our Writing programs at Kennington School are developed in response to ongoing student assessment results. Students participate in whole-class, small group and individual conferences with their teachers, who scaffold learning and explicitly teach each of the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Individual learning goals are also developed during these conferences.

The 6+1 Traits of Writing were developed by Ruth Culham and are heavily supported by research.  By using the 6+1 Traits, it provides students with opportunities to explore the following elements of quality writing:

• Voice
• Ideas
• Presentation
• Conventions
• Organisation
• Word Choice
• Sentence Fluency

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Speaking and Listening refers to the formal and informal ways spoken language is used to convey meaning. It involves the teaching of language and how spoken language changes according to the situation. Speaking and Listening also involves the development of active-listening strategies and an understanding of the conventions of different spoken texts. Throughout the school year, teachers continuously provide opportunities for students to improve their skills in this domain. Every class co-constructs (the students and teachers work together to create something) class discussion protocols through our Jumpstart program and continuously refers to them across the year. We promote the importance of being articulate speakers and teach the link between spoken language and written language. We encourage students to share their ideas at the appropriate times and to value the contributions of others. 

Our numeracy program provides students with a strong grounding in mathematical skills, strategies and understandings. The aim is to support students in becoming numerate and use mathematics effectively so they can successfully participate at school, at home and in the wider community. Mathematics at Kennington Primary School (KPS) is a positive, engaging and hands on experience, in which our students develop confidence and a sense of achievement from what they learn. 

A whole school approach to the planning and teaching of Numeracy ensures that students are engaged in activities that are meaningful, stimulating and challenging. Students participate in regular assessment, utilising the Essential Assessment program, allowing teachers to plan a differentiated curriculum. Team planning for Numeracy occurs at each year level, allowing for consistency of content between grades and challenging learning tasks to be delivered. Teachers plan to enhance all students’ learning using the Victorian Curriculum Standards, the Kennington Primary School instructional model and current research on best practice including High Impact Teaching Strategies. 

The use of hands on materials, games, open ended tasks, investigative work and problem-solving activities that relate to real life occur throughout the program. Within lessons, tasks are differentiated, providing opportunities for students to learn at their own level. We support children who are struggling to understand mathematical concepts with targeted point-of-need teaching and small group instruction. Our targeted teaching approach provides plenty of opportunities for extension. Individual abilities are catered for as teachers provide small group opportunities for our high achieving children to thrive. Additional extension programs operate at selected levels. 

The four proficiencies of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning are fundamental to learning Mathematics and are applied across all three strands of Mathematics; Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability.

The daily numeracy sessions that students participate in can be broken into two distinct types. The first are one-hour instructional sessions where the teacher works with the class to model and discuss a mathematical concept or skill. Explicit teaching of skills and strategies is an integral part of learning. The learning activities are designed to allow students to construct new learning by working with concrete materials, drawing pictures or using abstract mathematics to represent their understandings. Teachers are regularly assessing students’ skills and understandings both informally and formally. Time is provided for students to share their solutions and mathematical strategies. Focus group sessions with the classroom teacher provide opportunities to support students and to extend them in their learning. The lesson concludes with a reflection. It is at this time that the student reflects on the learning intention and how they have worked towards achieving success. 

The second type of numeracy session are known as Fluency sessions.  We believe that when students know their basic facts, they are more likely to have a positive attitude to Mathematics and can focus on more complex problem-solving tasks. To help build fluency all students participate in a daily half-hour Fluency session which provides opportunities for students to; make reasonable estimates, calculate answers efficiently, recognise robust ways of answering questions, choose appropriate methods and approximations, recall definitions and regularly use facts, and manipulate expressions and equations to find solutions. Existing technologies support the learning and applications of mathematics, with all students having access to the online programs, Mathletics and Essential Assessments, at school and at home. 

At Kennington Primary school we strive to help our students achieve their personal best in the sporting arena.  Our staff, facilities and culture combine to provide a platform for our students to participate in various sports where they can nurture relationships with a wide range of people and learn important skills that will complement their academic learning, as well as apply across all facets of their lives.

Our focus is on teamwork, commitment, setting goals and striving for personal best where every student is encouraged to challenge themselves to try new skills and sports.  Across our P-6 Physical Education program, our students are exposed to a wide variety of traditional team sports as well as individual sports, fitness and Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS).  Our Early years students also participate in a Perceptual Motor Program which allows them to develop the important motor skills and coordination they require for their not only their sporting and physical lives, but also in the classroom for fine motor skills such as writing and hand-eye coordination.  

Throughout the year, our students participate in Athletics carnivals, an extensive gymnastics program, bike and scooter education programs, a cross-country event as well as the opportunity to take part in Fitness clubs run on a weekly basis.  To encourage sport and fitness within our school and to ensure our students stay active and healthy, we also offer 2 morning clubs each week before school where the focus alternates between different sports and skills.   We also regularly participate in divisional sports where we have been successful in progressing across a number of sports and disciplines to a Regional and State level.

All students at Kennington Primary School participate in two hours of Physical Activity a week, one hour of Physical Education specific lessons and one hour of Sport.  The experienced Physical Education teachers work collaboratively with our classroom teachers to ensure all student’s needs are catered for and to ensure the health and wellbeing of our students is paramount.

At Kennington Primary School all students participate in Performing Arts where they participate in an hour lesson each week for one semester. Three key learning areas are covered during the Performing Arts program including Music, Dance and Drama. The Performing Arts Program allows students to explore their creativity and express themselves whilst developing their self confidence in an encouraging and fun environment.  The lessons have a balance of activities which include playing instruments, movement, dance, mime, puppets, games, stories, song, improvising, responding and creating.

In Dance, students work collaboratively as a class to choreograph a class dance to perform at the end of the term. Students explore the elements of dance including action, space, time, structure, dynamics and relationships during this process. Students look forward to performing their choreographed dance as a class at the end of the term in front of the whole school at an assembly. Through their participation students become creative choreographers, confident performers and reflective, respectful audience members.

In Music, students explore the elements of music including dynamics, pitch, beat, rhythm, tempo, texture and timbre. Students are taught through singing, playing of musical instruments, composing and improvising. Students use body percussion as well as a variety of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments to make music and create accompaniments for songs, chants and rhymes.  Students use scarfs and ribbons to move and dance along to a wide variety of musical genres and styles plus learn to read basic notation.  

In Drama, students learn how to use whole body movements, facial expressions and voice whilst participating in games and activities. The use of games allows students to develop their confidence and willingness to perform. Students also learn how to use mime, improvisation and scripts to support acting and explore the use of props and puppets to build characterisation and role. Students make and respond to drama independently and collaboratively with their classmates and teachers.

On top of all of this we also offer a range of Performing Art incursions during our Jump Start Program at the start of every year. Previous Incursions have included: Circus, Break Dancing and Wacky instruments with Jon Madin.

At the end of every year, students also work with their classroom teachers to create a grade level performance to present at our yearly Christmas Carol evening.

In Grades Five and Six, students are provided the opportunity to audition and participate in our yearly Kennington Primary School Production. Students can audition for non-speaking, speaking, singing, dancing and back stage roles. Many of our past graduating year six students reflect on their Primary School years at KPS and say that being a part of the production was one of their primary school highlights. Previous KPS Productions include: 2019- The Amazing Adventures of Super Sam, 2018- Pirates of the Curry Bean, 2017- Porridge, 2016- Zoom! 2015- Peter Pan.

Kennington Primary School also offers private musical instrument tuition during school hours from visiting instrumental teachers. There is tuition in vocals, keyboard, woodwind, strings, brass, guitar and drums. Please enquire at the office if your child is interested in participating in this program. Additional fees apply.

At Kennington we offer students the opportunity to participate in our School Choir. The School Choir is conducted by teaching staff members and performs at assemblies and special events

At Kennington Primary School the Visual Art program is designed to encourage and challenge students to achieve their creative potential in a supportive and engaging environment.   Development of fine motor and practical, problem solving skills is aligned with imaginative and artistic focus.  Students are provided with continual opportunity to explore a range of techniques, processes, tools and materials. 

Our Visual Art program encourages students to express their ideas through drawing, painting, construction, modelling, textile work, printing and mixed media.  The art room is spacious and well equipped with a wide variety of materials and resources, including a kiln for firing clay.  

Students at Kennington Primary attend one hour session of Visual Art per week.  They also have the opportunity to integrate art into additional areas of the curriculum; such as props for school production, school displays, celebration/commemoration days and craft for Harmony Day.  Visual Art is an integral and valued component of our school.    

Kennington Primary school strongly values their art program with student’s work being authentically celebrated and displayed. The program is taught by experienced and passionate teachers who work collaboratively with classroom teachers to ensure individual needs are catered for.    Students are encouraged to continually interpret and approach their art work in an independent, thoughtful and original way. 

Auslan is a visual non-verbal language used by the Deaf to communicate. At Kennington Primary School the Auslan program is designed to immerse the students in another language. Auslan is used in a variety of settings in the school including assemblies and ceremonies and celebrations. We sign the National Anthem and our own school song.

Students at Kennington Primary learn Auslan from Prep to Grade 6. Prep to Grade 4 students attend one hour a week for a semester. Grade 5 and Grade 6 students attend for one hour per week for the school year.    

Students are introduced to Auslan learning signs relating to their every day. They participate in simple interactions with their peers and develop communication skills though games, viewing recorded children’s stories and events in their daily lives. Students become familiar with handshapes, movement and location of signs.  They describe familiar objects, people, animals and transport using signs, gestures and mime.

As students’ progress through the program, they develop an awareness of the differences between English and Auslan. They continue to develop and expand their Auslan vocabulary and use it in authentic situations including conversations and games. The students translate texts from Auslan to English and from English to Auslan. They develop an understanding of Deaf cultural and reflect on the relationship between language, culture and identity. 

Kennington Primary school is proud of their Auslan program as part of the diversity that the school offers its students. The program is developed and taught by a qualified LOTE (Auslan) teacher using the Victorian Curriculum.