Teaching & Learning

Each day, Kennington
Primary School’s English instruction focuses on developing students’ Speaking
& Listening, Reading & Viewing, and Writing skills in line with the
Victorian Curriculum 2.0. These foundational skills support our students
in their learning journey as they learn, communicate and grow.

In the early years, Speaking and Listening is a fundamental
skill. Students develop strong oral language as they learn to talk, listen and
share ideas, and practise discussion skills through structured sharing,
presentations, and collaborative learning. Students develop their understanding
of the syntax (structure of the English language) and build a rich and
precise vocabulary so they can confidently express ideas, listen actively and
engage in meaningful conversations.

AT KPS, Reading
instruction is based on the Big 6 of Reading, which includes:

• Oral Language
• Phonological Awareness
• Phonics
• Vocabulary
• Fluency
• Comprehension

Students
participate in daily explicit phonics instruction using the Department
of Education’s Phonics Plus program, helping them develop strong decoding
skills that support reading accuracy and confidence. They explore a range mentor
texts to see how authors use vocabulary, sentence structure and text
organisation to communicate ideas effectively. In the upper year levels,
students also explore morphology and etymology to deepen their
understanding of how words are formed, their meanings, and their origins.

Writing
instruction explicitly teaches the purpose and structure of different genres,
helping students understand how texts are organised for different audiences and
purposes. Students use the 6+1 Traits of Writing to understand what good
writers do and why. They develop their ability to generate ideas, organise
their writing, choose precise vocabulary, and edit their work to communicate
clearly and effectively following the Writing Cycle.

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, differentiation is at the heart of our teaching philosophy. Our learning programs are thoughtfully designed to provide multiple entry points, ensuring every task aligns with clear learning intentions while addressing the diverse needs of all students—whether they require additional support or are ready for extension. We place a strong emphasis on helping students understand not only what they are learning, but why, fostering clarity, purpose, and engagement in every lesson.

On top of our daily differentiation, we offer a range of targeted intervention and extension programs to meet individual needs.

ENGLISH

In literacy, the MultiLit program provides targeted Tier 2 intervention support. Junior students engage in MiniLit, while students in Years 3–6 receive support through MacqLit. These programs are delivered in small groups and focus on developing essential skills, including phonics, word recognition, spelling, and reading fluency, through explicit, systematic, and evidence-based teaching methods. To further personalise learning and reinforce foundational phonics skills, additional programs such as Phonics Hero and Nessy are embedded into daily routines for students who require extra support.

MATHEMATICS

For students requiring extension, we provide rich opportunities to deepen and broaden their learning. Our Maths Olympiad program engages Year 5 and 6 students in weekly workshops led by our Differentiation Learning Specialist. Students collaborate to solve complex problems, develop efficient strategies, and prepare for a series of competitions throughout the year. Additionally, selected students participate in the Victorian High Ability Program, working alongside like-minded peers in virtual classes focused on English and Mathematics.

Students in Grades 3 and 4 participate in a Maths Enrichment program led by our Mathematics Learning Specialists. Held weekly during the second half of the year, these sessions are designed to challenge and engage students, empowering them to develop critical problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts.

Students from Years 2–6 are encouraged to participate in ICAS competitions, providing opportunities to challenge themselves and demonstrate their skills on an international platform. All participants are recognised for their efforts during our whole-school assemblies, celebrating their achievement and commitment to learning.

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.