Teaching and Learning in the Junior School

At Tatachilla Lutheran College, each learner is acknowledged and known as an individual with their own story, achievements and challenges. We deliver personalised learning that focuses on a wealth of experiences, growth and achievement. Our quality curriculum comprises core elements that are planned, taught and assessed innovatively and developmentally.

Children bring an understanding of themselves and the world around them. The Junior School curriculum builds their literacy and numeracy skills across all areas of the curriculum. They are given opportunities to become independent and active learners, who are curious, inquiring, reflective and engaged in their learning. They enjoy playing and learning together, developing the skills and dispositions for individual endeavour and collaborative enterprise.

Play is an important vehicle for learning in the Junior School. Play contributes to the cognitive, social and emotional development of our students. It also creates an environment for creativity to flourish, and for students to practice fine and gross motor skills, decision making and problem solving skills.

Our unique environment allows for a wide range of play opportunities, on the oval, in the natural creek setting, or in our ‘ruin’ and mud-kitchen. Play at Tatachilla includes: games with rules, imaginative and dramatic play, construction, STEM play and nature play.

Surrounded by mature trees and well-maintained gardens, the Junior School enjoys an expansive setting and outlook that encourages exploration, curiosity and imagination. With the mini-beast and bush tucker gardens, a seasonal creek and extensive areas of lawn, each classroom has the great outdoors on its doorstep.

All children are readers and writers. From developing the early building blocks of reading through a whole-school phonics based approach, to independent readers, all students develop their skills and stamina for reading and writing through workshops that build creativity, thinking skills and a love for the written word in all its forms. They learn to listen to, read, view, speak, write, create and reflect on spoken, written and multimodal texts with accuracy, fluency and purpose.

Through the study of English our students learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them.

Our students are confident and creative mathematicians, who develop essential mathematical skills and knowledge in number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. They develop numeracy capabilities, and an appreciation of the power of mathematical reasoning, that is integrated across the curriculum and into their world.

Our students develop:

• a robust understanding of mathematical concepts
• fluency in choosing appropriate mathematical procedures
• problem solve to make choices to investigate problem, and communicate solutions
• an increasing capacity for logical mathematical thought and actions

STEM is an approach to learning that combines the skills and ways of thinking of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

As scientists, students learn to observe, investigate and experiment; using the tools and strategies of technology; to problem solve and design a range of solutions as engineers; by finding patterns and connections as mathematicians. 

This kind of integrated approach to STEM is most powerful when used by students to solve problems and find solutions that they have identified in familiar contexts. Again, our exquisite outdoor play areas enable some wonderful engineering and mathematical solutions to be practised and developed.

Junior School students access specialised learning in the areas of Physical Education, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Japanese.

Our specialist teachers bring a wealth of knowledge in their subject areas that foster knowledge, skills and understanding in language, the Arts and physical education, providing students with ways to express themselves, develop their individual skills, interests and talents, and understand their world.

Each year level has a unique focus for the year. Reception is the first year of schooling, and is a year of dynamic growth and discovery. Year 1s develop their digital citizenship as they enter the BYOD iPad program. Year 2s undertake a STEM project which develops skills needed for scientific investigation. Year 3s collaborate to develop a garden area adjacent their classroom where they get to experience mathematical and scientific concepts along with an understanding of the connection between what we grow and what we eat. The EcoClassroom is a regular Year 4 learning space, allowing the children to spend sustained periods of time outdoors, experience the seasonal changes and engage with their learning in a calming nature sanctuary. Year 5s undertake the personal challenge of ‘Conquer the Mountain’, which encourages perseverance and independence in outdoor experiences. Year 6 students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills with their peers through Junior school Assemblies, sporting and service events as House Captains, as SRC Representatives, peer supporters at play times or as Junior School Captains.

Concept-driven curriculum is a powerful means of enhancing student learning. The development of understanding through concepts and significant ideas results in more meaningful, powerful and connected learning. It enables learners to see patterns, make connections and apply their understandings to new contexts.

Curriculum content becomes the medium through which these concepts are developed, explored and understood. Spiral revisiting of concepts through a range of varied content and experiences, and by questioning and adding to prior knowledge, assists students deepen their understanding and make sense of their world. Concepts are embedded throughout the Australian Curriculum.

Christian Studies is a key learning area within the curricular program of the College and operates within the same parameters as other learning areas. It is an expectation that all students participate in Christian Studies. Junior School students inquire into the Christian Church, Christianity in the World, Christian Beliefs and Christian Living.

Christian Studies is also expressed through the culture of the College, teaching and learning activities, the worship program, pastoral care for students and staff, and behaviour management policies and practices.

Follow this link to Lutheran Education Australia’s Christian Studies Curriculum Framework.