Welcome to our vibrant Junior School in 2021 - St Andrew's ...
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Welcome to our vibrant Junior School in 2021
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 ten 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 school
of School K-6 and Head of Junior School and beautiful 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 2021 | 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 2021
SACS
Character
Strengths
SACS - Junior School 2021 | 3
Wellbeing
Programs and
initiatives to help
students thrive
The growth and nurturing of each student’s and connect with our parents as we
sense of wellbeing has always been a vital work together. As part of this we have
element of who we are at St Andrew’s introduced the SchoolTV online
Cathedral School. We are intentional about resource which provides parents with
providing students with opportunities across current, evidence-based information
the Junior School to develop hearts that about mental health and wellbeing
love, minds that grow and lives that give. issues in children. We also run a
There are many ways in which we approach number of parent sessions, and
this including weekly classroom Social and regularly provide parenting resources
Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) lessons. These through our newsletter.
lessons focus on the development of We look forward to journeying with
Character Strengths, emotional regulation, you and your child and our hope is
attention and awareness, positive throughout all that we do we recognise
relationships, coping and resilience, habits the importance of nurturing the whole
and goals. The content and concepts of child; with hearts that love, minds that
these lessons are reinforced and integrated grow, and lives that give.
into the broader curriculum and across our
wide range of Junior School activities. Our
wellbeing program integrates a wide range
of evidence-based programs such as
Bounce Back, Zones of Regulation, Social
Thinking, Grow Your Mind, Peacewise kids
and URstrong.
In addition, our SACS character strengths
come to life with visual icons which you
see displayed across our classrooms and
open spaces, and perhaps you may even
notice “strength spotter” stickers stuck on
our students and staff as we spot them
living out our character strengths through
everyday school life.
Individual care and student support
continue to be primarily embraced by the
classroom teachers who seek to have
strong and nurturing relationships with
their students. However, if additional Bronwyn Wake
support is required, we do have a Wellbeing
wonderful network of pastoral care and
counselling support available through our
Coordinator K – 6
grade leaders, specialised and executive
staff, as well as our school psychologists.
We are so mindful in the Junior School and
Gawura that our work is a partnership with
parents and so we seek ways to support
4 | SACS - Junior School 2021
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
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 2021 | 5
Junior School
program
Specialised Gifted education
Learning 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 2021
Music The focus in the primary ages is to have
fun and give these young students a taste
St Andrew’s started out more than of the Australian bush, with time away
130 years ago as a choir school and has from the normal comforts and security of
carried on that tradition, with the learning home, together with some small outdoor
of music being very much a part of general recreation skill development.
school activities. Students receive an hour
The camp is run by the school’s own
of classroom music per week by Orff and
outdoor education staff.
Kodaly-trained specialists who hold
qualifications in music education.
Sport
Most Kindergarten to Year 6 students
Our Kindergarten to Year 6 sport
also undertake private tuition with one
program focuses on the development of
or more of the numerous quality vocal
fundamental movement skills. It aims to
or instrumental tutors employed by
build on the programs offered in previous
the school. years, utilising various facilities in the
Students who are learning a string, wind school and city. K-2 students participate
or brass instrument are also encouraged in gymnastics and swimming programs to
to join an ensemble, which supplements provide foundational skills.
and extends the work that is covered in Students in Years 3 – 6 focus on
private lessons. developing a range of skills in a different
Ensembles and individuals are provided with sport each term. Sports included are
a range of performance opportunities during Auskick, gymnastics, tennis, AFL, touch
the school year, including weekly concerts football, netball, Tee-ball, cricket,
and our annual Showcase concert at volleyball and athletics.
Sydney Town Hall. Students in Years 4 – 6 are invited to
SACS also has a Registered Music Therapist participate in seasonal weekly inter-school
on site who is available for one-on-one competitions provided by ASISSA (an
sessions. Students who might benefit from inter-school sporting association).
these weekly sessions include those with All Years 3-6 students participate in the
ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, school’s three major carnivals for
Dyslexia, Anxiety, Depression, Hearing swimming, cross country and athletics.
Impairment or other health diagnoses. There are opportunities for students to
Music Therapy is a part of the Allied represent St Andrew’s at ASISSA carnivals
Health Professions. For more information, and at NSW Combined Independent
please email ason@sacs.nsw.edu.au. School level.
We are fortunate to be able to offer this
service at SACS. Co-curricular education
At the beginning of each term, students
Outdoor education are invited to enrol in one of more of the
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 many extra curricular activities offered.
attend an outdoor education program Along with the various music ensembles,
once each year. Each program has the these activities include: philosophy club,
primary aim of enabling students to homework club, Lego masters, maths
challenge themselves mentally and club, fitness fundamentals, chess club,
physically and to build strong, lasting book club, code camp, Theatresports,
friendships. Students in Years 3–6 attend Chinese Eisteddfod, Christian fellowship
multiple-day camps at the school’s own and a variety of training afternoons
Outdoor Education Centre in the Southern for students involved in Saturday
Highlands south-west of Sydney. sport competitions.
SACS - Junior School 2021 | 7Online canteen Before School Care operates each
morning from 6.30am and After School
The school canteen, located on Level 9 Care operates each afternoon from 3.10pm
of St Andrew’s House, uses QuickCliq, until 6pm in the rooftop classroom and is
an online ordering system that offers available to all Junior School students.
a fast and intuitive way to order healthy
meal options that are delivered to
classrooms at recess and lunch.
School uniform
The St Andrew’s School Uniform includes
Learning technology winter and summer options and a separate
sports uniform for sport and PE. Students
Technology is an important part of every are expected to abide by the uniform code
child’s learning experience at St Andrew’s in and wear their uniform with pride while
all years. We aim for learning technologies travelling to and from school and while
to be used authentically and appropriately at school.
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 TheirCare, a nationally
operated and fully approved provider of
after-school care which offers ongoing
professional training, supervision and
quality resources.
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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 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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