LEARNING

English is essential to all aspects of a child's development. Our students come from diverse backgrounds and bring understandings and skills that reflect their experiences in their homes and communities. Our aim is to share, strengthen and build on the language and literacy capabilities of all students to increase their ability to participate in all aspects of life, both in and beyond school.

Students participate in a two hour English block daily, where they focus on the development of reading and viewing, writing and speaking and listening skills. Each student is continually monitored and provided with explicit teaching as a whole class, in small groups and individually to ensure they are suitably challenged. 

Our reading program draws on a range of practices and resources that allows all learners to be:

• Text decoders - breaking the code of language 
• Text participant - making meaning from texts (comprehension)
• Text user - understanding the purpose and function of different texts
• Text analyst - critically analysing texts and recognising point of view 

Successful readers utilise decoding strategies which are explicitly taught through our Write to Read Phonogram Program. This program provides a multi-sensory approach to learning phonics, where students hear, see, say and write the phonograms and words. 

Successful readers also require a range of comprehension strategies in order to make meaning and enjoy literature. Our whole school reading and viewing program utilises text and images (moving and static) to teach strategies including; predicting and activating prior knowledge, making connections, questioning, inferring, visualising, summarising and synthesising. 

Learning to write is a​​ complex process encompassing cognitive, physical, social and cultural dimension​​s and is an integral part of learning in all areas of the curriculum. Students are explicitly taught strategies for writing to assist in planning, composing, recording, revising and publishing. The writing process also includes a focus on spelling, grammar, punctuation, handwriting and learning about many different text types. Our whole school writing program is comprised of the following programs:

• Write to Read Phonogram Program
• VCOP Big Write
• Seven Steps to Writing Success 

All three programs complement one another to effectively teach students how to plan, compose, record, revise and adapt their writing to suit their audience and purpose.

Speaking and listening take place throughout the entire school day, across ALL learning areas. Students recognise that speaking and listening provide opportunities to exchange information, to share and explore ideas, and to express opinions and listen to the opinions of others. They participate in discussions, conversations and presentations in small and large groups, learning to vary their speaking and listening skills to suit the context, purpose and audience.

Public speaking is an important part of the teaching and learning program and our students have developed a reputation as skilled presenters. Opportunities include debating and public speaking competitions at both school and district levels. All student leadership roles across the school involve high levels of responsibility and prepare students to present information to a wide audience.

 At Mount Pleasant Road Primary School we pride ourselves on open communication with students and parents. Student learning and progress is transparent and goals are created collaboratively with students to support a continued commitment to learning. Teachers assess student progress strategically and provide learning opportunities that meet the individual needs of every student. Parents receive a mid and end of year academic report outlining their child’s progress in relation to the Victorian Curriculum. Students from Foundation to Grade Two create a hard copy portfolio containing a snapshot into their learning which is sent home at the end of every term. Students in Grades 3-6 create a digital portfolio using Seesaw where learning is uploaded in real time and available to view on the parent app. 

Term 1:

Information Evenings

Week 3: Meet the teacher interviews - Foundation

Week 5: Student Support Group Meetings SSG

Week 7/8: Three- Way Conferences Year 1- 6

End of term: Portfolios

Term 2:

Week 5: Student Support Group Meetings

Week 10: Semester 1 Student Report Published

End of term: Portfolios (3-6 available across term)

Term 3:

Week 3 Three Way Conferences

Week 5: Student Support Group Meetings

End of term: portfolios (3-6 available across term)

Term 4:

Week 5: Student Support Group Meetings

Semester 2 Student Report Published

End of term: portfolios (3-6 available across term)

Developing independent homework habits is a valuable aspect of the learning process and contributes to the development of sound study routines.

It should be seen as a means of stimulating parental involvement in the schooling of their child through discussion and the sharing of knowledge. At the beginning of each year, teachers will establish clear, written requirements for homework and inform parents of their expectations at the Parent Information Nights. Homework can be in many forms - it might include reading, mathematics, surveys, personal writing, collecting information, experiments, discussion and gathering pictures.  

Extra reading is encouraged at all levels and in the junior classes the homework task might be 10 minutes of reading each night. In senior grades, homework should not exceed a productive 30 minutes. If you require more information, the Homework Policy is available from the school office.

At Mount Pleasant Road Primary School we see technology as a tool that allows students to access learning in interactive, engaging and real life contexts. We take pride in our efforts to use digital technology as a means of enhancing our already engaging curriculum without replacing basic skills. Every classroom has an interactive television and students in Foundation to Grade 2 have access to ipads to support our teaching and learning. 

We have proudly been accredited as an Esmart School which involves a continued commitment to supporting our school community to be smart, safe and responsible users of technology. We have a dedicated committee of teachers and parents who ensure we have policies and procedures in place to support our students to be responsible digital citizens and foster a supportive and connected school environment

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) iPad Program at our school offers students in grades 3-6 the exciting opportunity to utilise iPads as dynamic learning tools, fostering a vibrant and engaging educational experience. This program aligns with our commitment to providing students with the necessary skills and resources to thrive in a digital world.

iPads empower students to express themselves through various digital formats including presentations, multimedia projects, and creative writing, fostering effective communication and diverse knowledge representation. By actively engaging with iPads, students hone essential skills for success in a digital age, including collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

The 1:1 access allows for individualised learning experiences, catering to various learning styles and paces. Students can access additional resources and materials beyond the classroom, enriching their understanding and exploration of different topics.
As we are an eSmart school we require all students and parents to sign an Acceptable Use Agreement before joining the BYOD program. The agreement clearly outlines expectations and details the expected behavior and usage guidelines for iPads within the school environment, promoting responsible digital citizenship. The agreement aims to ensure clear communication and accountability for students, families, and teachers.
Students can either bring an iPad that the family owns or purchase a new one. We recommend a 9th Generation “regular” iPad (not an iPad Mini) or later, as these are most compatible with the apps and software that we run. Headphones are also required, and a protective cover is mandatory to help prevent accidental damage. Please note that the school does not provide insurance, and we recommend checking your home insurance coverage. If you do not have an iPad and are not in the position to purchase one, please contact the school and we can discuss leasing or other options.
The BYOD iPad Program offers a transformative learning experience for our students, equipping them with invaluable skills and fostering a love for continuous learning in an ever-evolving digital world. We believe this program empowers students to become confident, creative, and productive contributors to the 21st century landscape.

The introduction of the BYOD iPad program has facilitated the introduction of robotics at each year level from Kinder to Grade 6 and provides students with the opportunity to work collaboratively to program, problem solve, think critically and innovate. Coding and programming is integrated into several curriculum areas including Mathematics and Science and skills are built on each year through a range of plugged (coding using devices) and unplugged (can be used without a device) learning experiences.