Welcome to our vibrant Junior School in 2020 - St Andrew's ...
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Welcome to our vibrant Junior School in 2020
Heads of School
welcome
Particularly helpful is her intimate
knowledge of the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years
Programme, which is widely
regarded as international best
practice in primary education. Although
we have not formally adopted the
program, its insights have been weaved
into the educational framework of
St Andrew’s. Her people skills and
insight based on her training and
experience as a psychologist, and her
extensive track record in gifted
education have set her up to be a
transformative leader.
Mrs Robson has an advanced
understanding of integration of Christian
Head of School, faith through the whole school and
Head of Junior School,
Dr John Collier worked extensively with the Anglican Mrs Rhonda Robson
Education Commission to that very
St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a effect at Broughton Anglican College If you are looking for a primary school
unique learning community in the heart and here at St Andrew’s. that takes the time to discover exactly
of Sydney’s CBD. We strive to develop the what your child needs in order to thrive,
Since Mrs Robson’s arrival nine years
look no further than St Andrew’s
whole child – their heart, mind and life. ago, the Junior School has more
Cathedral School.
We develop their character through our than doubled in size and is much
wellbeing program which nurtures in demand. She has transformed At St Andrew’s, each student is valued
specific character strengths based upon the teaching and learning practices, and encouraged to reach their full
our foundational Christian values. successfully improving the levels of potential. Just as each student is an
Literacy and Numeracy in particular. individual with their own character and
Our Junior School offers an incredible needs, so too their educational growth
The impact of this strategy is visible
breadth of opportunities, all within a in quality teaching methodologies, is unique. The teachers are high quality,
nurturing culture of care with highly and impressive NAPLAN results. committed to nurturing and developing
experienced and specialist teachers. the ability of each student through
The Junior School is a happy,
carefully planned and innovative
Our Junior School students utilise vibrant and thriving part of
teaching programs.
secondary school facilities, including St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
performance spaces, science laboratories We have enjoyed outstanding NAPLAN
and outstanding sports facilities. and ICAS results, being recognised as
This, along with specialist teachers in the school with the greatest academic
improvement in the region. We also
music, languages, science, sport, drama
have a highly reputable outdoor
and Theatresports, art, library, technology
education program and co-curriculum,
and Christian Development, ensures
including stellar music programs and
students have every opportunity to reach
sport opportunities.
their potential.
Please come and visit us, meet our
Since the beginning of 2011, Deputy Head students and discover our unique
of School K-6 and Head of Junior School, campus and learning environment.
has been Mrs Rhonda Robson, formerly
Head of Junior School and Deputy
Principal at Broughton Anglican College
in Menangle. Prior to Broughton,
Mrs Robson was the School Counsellor
and Gifted and Talented Coordinator
at St Paul’s Grammar School.
SACS - Junior School 2020 | 1
In the light of Christ, Character strengths sit at the
centre of our student wellbeing
we strive for students
framework, with all students from
to have: Kindergarten through to Year 12
• Hearts that love, being involved in age-specific
wellbeing programs. Our school’s
• Minds that grow and overarching theme is to develop
• Lives that give. in our students hearts that love,
minds that grow and lives
that give.
Below are the key attributes and
virtues of learners at St Andrew’s
Cathedral School.
Grateful
Servant Open
Courageous Hearted Minded
Reflective Knowledgeable
Principled Caring
Heart
Mind
Thinking Inquiring
Life
Self
Controlled
Persistent
Communicative
Balanced
Hopeful
2 | SACS - Junior School 2020
SACS
Character
Strengths
SACS - Junior School 2020 | 3
Student
wellbeing
Programs and
initiatives to help
students thrive
The student wellbeing vision statement our grade leaders, specialist and
“Nurturing the individual in community executive staff, as well as two
under Christ” underpins the student wellbeing psychologists, who are experienced
structures, programs and relationships at in providing advice and support
St Andrew’s Cathedral School. on pastoral and academic issues
Our comprehensive approach to student affecting students.
wellbeing is built on the premise that
young people learn best when they are
healthy, safe and happy. Our staff aim to
develop in students a strong sense of
identity, resilience and connectedness
through all areas of school life, from the
classroom to the playing fields.
A new initiative in 2020 is designated
wellbeing time within the weekly timetable
for every class across the Junior School.
This allows for the meaningful integration
of wellbeing discussion and activities into
all our classrooms in a focused and
intentional way. Classroom teachers will
generally be teaching this wellbeing lesson
so that the content and discussion which
occurs during these lessons can then be
referenced and reinforced during other
Bronwyn Wake
classroom activities. Throughout these
lessons we will continue to use the range Wellbeing
of wellbeing programs which are already Coordinator K – 6
well known to Junior School students,
such as Bounce Back, as well as new
programs like the Zones of Regulation,
Peacewise kids and URstrong.
In addition to our weekly wellbeing
program, our SACS Character Strengths
(see page 2) are displayed across
classrooms and open spaces and are
part of regular class discussion.
All Junior School teachers exercise strong
pastoral care and support for the children
in their care. The nurturing process of
guiding, listening and leading is very
important in these years.
If additional supplort is required, we do
have a wonderful network of pastoral care
and counselling support available through
4 | SACS - Junior School 2020
Junior School
program
Academic SACS Junior School
curriculum Learning Framework
St Andrew’s works to the guidelines Our mission is to provide quality Christian
of the NSW Education Standards education that stands apart from other
Authority (NESA) and is fully accredited schools and other systems. We strive to
and registered. The school teaches from be authentic and the best we can be as a
a Christian perspective in accordance relational Christian community that seeks
with our vision for teaching and learning. to develop the Heart, Mind and Life of our
Subjects taught are English, Mathematics, students and staff in the heart of Sydney.
Science and Technology, Human Society
In the Junior School, we recognise that
and its Environment, Mandarin, Christian
effective student learning and wellbeing
Development, Music, Drama, social and
are interrelated and that we need to
emotional wellbeing, Wiradjuri language
focus upon promoting each student’s
(Years 3–6) and Personal Development,
engagement in their own wellbeing and
Health and Physical Education.
their own learning process, making both
High quality teaching visible. Teachers construct teaching and
learning opportunities that are purpose
and learning driven, based on clear evidence of student
Our approach at St Andrew’s is to balance progress, to devise a clear understanding
explicit teaching of necessary and of what will work best for improving
important skills such as phonics, spelling, student accomplishment.
handwriting, number knowledge, research The framework draws on the school’s
and information skills, with inquiry and rich culture and current educational research,
tasks. Students then learn skills that equip promoting best practice by encapsulating
them to access problem solving and design the best of explicit teaching, inquiry-based
tasks. This allows students to apply their learning, cognitive science, all combined
surface learning of skills to a deeper with the aim of achieving mastery
learning involving understanding and teaching practices and fostering
application of their knowledge and deep learning.
skills. We teach our students to work
collaboratively with each other and their
teachers to ensure they are equipped
Small class sizes
to work in a world that demands On average, we have 19 students in each
collaboration, creativity and respect class, which allows teachers to better
for ideas and people. understand and cater for each student’s
learning needs.
City links and excursions
At St Andrew’s we use our unique location
to assist learning through first-hand
experiences of our city environment.
Learning spaces extend beyond the school’s
buildings to institutions and facilities in
the city, including Darling Harbour, various
museums, libraries and art galleries, with
most of these being ‘no cost’ excursions.
We are also in close proximity to outdoor
learning spaces such as Cook and Philip
Pool, Darling Harbour playgrounds,
Queen’s Park, Wentworth Park and the
grounds at the University of Sydney.
SACS - Junior School 2020 | 5
Junior School
program
Specialised Gifted education
Learning At SACS, we endeavour to meet student
needs through the process of differentiated
As a Christian school we have a
instruction. Gifted and talented students
responsibility to recognise a wide range of
are recognised as having unique educational
student abilities, and to provide challenging
needs and need to be catered for in order
educational experiences for all students,
that their learning outcomes are optimised.
helping them to achieve their God-given
potential. This includes students of high Developmentally appropriate programs
academic potential, or gifted and talented for gifted and talented students incorporate
students, along with those who need a combination of grouping strategies,
additional support.. enrichment, counselling interventions
and acceleration.
Specialised Learning in the Junior School
is led by the Primary Coordinator, Each year a Parent Information Evening
Mrs Cathy Dangar and supported by is held, outlining the school’s policy
a team of teachers and aides. and procedures and directions in
gifted education.
It is the role of Specialised Learning to
work closely with teachers, students, parents
and outside professionals to cater for the Chapel and Christian
individual needs of students. We also work Development
closely with our school psychologists.
Chapel is a weekly event attended by
Services provided by the Specialised all students. It provides a communal
Learning team in the Junior School expression of the school’s Christian basis
may include: and commitment, and goes hand-in-hand
• In-class support with the Christian Development course.
• Diagnostic assessment The Christian Development course aims
to introduce students to the Christian
• The development of Student Learning
faith as it is revealed in The Bible and
Plans
provides them with the opportunity to
• 1:1 or small group academic engage in healthy discussion on both its
organisational support where appropriate theory and practice. Chapel sees students
• Parent information sessions participating as they provide the music,
lead the singing, read The Bible, offer prayer,
• Professional development sessions to and occasionally speak of their own
enhance teacher skills and understanding experience of the Christian life.
• Assistance with the modification of In addition to weekly Chapel services,
curriculum and assessment the chaplaincy team coordinates a range
• Transition programs of voluntary lunchtime groups for Bible
study, prayer, fun and encouragement.
• Collaborative planning with teachers,
students, parents and outside
professionals. The Mandarin program
• Determining appropriate adjustments The Mandarin program is an integral part
for students with a disability of the Junior School curriculum. It aims to
enable students to develop communication
• Collection of data to access skills, focus on languages as systems
Commonwealth funding (NCCDSWD) and gain insights into the relationship
between language and culture, leading
to lifelong personal, educational and
vocational benefits.
6 | SACS - Junior School 2020
Music Sport
St Andrew’s started out more than Our Kindergarten to Year 6 sport
130 years ago as a choir school and has program focuses on the development of
carried on that tradition, with the learning fundamental movement skills. It aims to
of music being very much a part of general build on the programs offered in previous
school activities. Students receive an hour years, utilising various facilities in the
of classroom music per week by Orff and school and city. K-2 students participate
Kodaly-trained specialists who hold in gymnastics and swimming programs to
qualifications in music education. provide foundational skills.
Most Kindergarten to Year 6 students Students in Years 3 – 6 focus on
also undertake private tuition with one developing a range of skills in a different
or more of the numerous quality vocal sport each term. Sports included are
or instrumental tutors employed by Auskick, gymnastics, tennis, AFL, touch
the school football, football, netball, Tee-ball, cricket,
volleyball and athletics.
Students who are learning a string, wind
or brass instrument are also encouraged Students in Years 4 – 6 are invited to
to join an ensemble, which supplements participate in seasonal weekly inter-school
and extends the work that is covered in competitions provided by ASISSA (an
private lessons. inter-school sporting association).
Ensembles and individuals are provided with All Years 3-6 students participate in the
a range of performance opportunities during school’s three major carnivals for
the school year, including weekly concerts swimming, cross country and athletics.
and our annual Showcase concert at There are opportunities for students to
Sydney Town Hall. represent St Andrew’s at ASISSA carnivals
and at NSW Combined Independent
Outdoor education School level.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6
attend an outdoor education program
Co-curricular education
once each year. Each program has the At the beginning of each term, students
primary aim of enabling students to are invited to enrol in one of more of the
challenge themselves mentally and many extra curricular activities offered.
physically and to build strong, lasting Along with the various music ensembles,
friendships. Students in Years 3–6 attend these activities include: philosophy club,
multiple-day camps at the school’s own homework club, Lego masters, maths
Outdoor Education Centre in the Southern club, fitness fundamentals, chess club,
Highlands south-west of Sydney. book club, code camp, Theatresports,
Chinese Eisteddfod, Christian fellowship
The focus in the primary ages is to have
and a variety of training afternoons
fun and give these young students a taste
for students involved in Saturday
of the Australian bush, with time away
sport competitions.
from the normal comforts and security of
home, together with some small outdoor
recreation skill development. Online canteen
The camp is run by the school’s own The school canteen, located on Level 9
outdoor education staff. of St Andrew’s House, uses QuickCliq,
an online ordering system that offers
a fast and intuitive way to order healthy
meal options that are delivered to
classrooms at recess and lunch.
SACS - Junior School 2020 | 7
Learning technology Technology is an important part of every child’s learning experience at St Andrew’s in all years. We aim for learning technologies to be used authentically and appropriately to enrich, enhance and extend learning. In the Junior School, students in Years 5 and 6 are issued with a school laptop computer. Kindergarten to Year 2 students have access to class sets of iPads and Years 3–4 students have access to laptop computers in order to develop the skills necessary for future learning. Child progress reports The task of educating young people is shared between the home, the school and the individual student. For this reason, the provision of clear communication channels is vital. Parents are kept informed about their child’s progress through end of semester reports and parent-teacher interviews. We also encourage parents and teachers to make direct contact with one another through phone calls, emails and meetings as needed. Detailed information about your child’s class and activities are available on the Junior School Portal. Before and after school care and vacation care Our before school and after school care and vacation care is run at St Andrew’s Cathedral School by Camp Australia, a nationally operated and fully approved provider of after-school care which offers ongoing professional training, supervision and quality resources. Before School Care operates each morning from 6.30am and After School Care operates each afternoon from 3.10pm until 6pm in the rooftop classroom and is available to all Junior School students. School uniform The St Andrew’s School Uniform includes winter and summer options and a separate sports uniform for sport and PE. Students are expected to abide by the uniform code and wear their uniform with pride while travelling to and from school and while at school. 8 | SACS - Junior School 2020
St Andrew’s Cathedral School: St Andrew’s is a coeducational K-12 Anglican school, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. St Andrew’s Cathedral School Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 34 429 367 893 phone +61 2 9286 9500 fax +61 2 9286 9550 email info@sacs.nsw.edu.au CRICOS Registration: The Council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M www.sacs.nsw.edu.au
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