Key Learning Areas


Religious Education
 
All children enrolled in the School participate in our Religious Education Programme, which includes 30-40 minute lessons per day, School Masses, and preparation programmes for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. 
The focus of our lessons is to learn about the life Jesus lived and the messages he gave us through his actions and how we can live our own lives better through modelling these actions.

English
 
Language is a means of creating and communicating meaning. It is central to children's intellectual, social and emotional development and has an essential role in all Key Learning Areas.
 
There are three kinds of learning in Language and Literacy.
 
  • Learning Language: Children need to be able to talk and listen, write and read in a variety of situations.
  • Learning Through Language: Children use language to facilitate thought. It enables them to receive and remember knowledge and to generate and reflect on ideas.
  • Learning About Language: Children gain knowledge of the language itself and the terms used in the discussion of aspects such as spelling, punctuation, grammar and text types.

Mathematics
 
At St Michael’s, we believe that:
  • Mathematics is useful. It is essential for living and functioning as members of society, providing learners with strategies, skills, techniques, computational, problem solving and reasoning skills.
  • Maths is part of our culture. It allows children to appreciate their cultural heritage and the significant contribution mathematics has made to human culture.
  • Maths is a part of our leisure. It is the source of puzzles and problems. It encourages curiosity, exploration, discovery and invention.
 
Mathematics consists of six strands: -
  • Working Mathematically
  • Number
  • Space and Geometry
  • Measurement
  • Patterns and Algebra
  • Data
                                         
(Mathematics K-6 Syllabus p. 8)
 
Learners should gain their knowledge of these strands from a variety of resources, using a variety of strategies, with a growing awareness of the many purposes of maths and mathematical language in their daily lives and environments. They should also be aware of, use and be able to apply technology.

Science and Technology

Science and Technology are integral parts of the modern world. Dramatic and rapid change in these areas is a basic fact of life for all students. For personal, social, environmental and economic reasons, young people must be well equipped to be active participants in our scientific and technological society. We aim to provide learning experiences in the areas of Science and Technology, which will assist in meeting the needs and interests of both students and the wider community.

Human Society and its Environment
 
The future wellbeing of human society and its environment depends upon the quality of people’s interaction with each other and with their cultural, social and physical environments as they strive to meet each other’s needs. Human Society and Its Environment provides a knowledge base for students to gain understandings about change and continuity, cultures, environments, and social systems and structures. This key learning area provides opportunities for students to ask challenging questions, to be curious and to develop a lifelong love of learning. It focuses on developing inquiry learning skills and providing experiences that aremeaningful for students, engaging them with people, places and issues. This Key Learning area assists students to empathise with others and understand and evaluate the nature of the society to which they belong from both local and global perspectives.



Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
 
The Personal Development, Health and Physical Education key learning area recognises the importance of healthy lifestyles and the need for students to be active, responsible and informed decision makers. Individuals are said to lead healthy lifestyles when they live in a way, which allows them the greatest chance of achieving and maintaining mental and social well being.



Creative and Practical Arts
 
The art forms of visual arts, music, dance and drama play a significant role in how meaning is made in people’s lives. They offer opportunities for personal expression, enjoyment, creativity, emotional and spiritual response and the creation of shared meanings.
 
In Visual Arts, students develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in making and appreciating their own art works and those of others.
 
In Music, students develop knowledge, skills and understandings in performing music in different styles, times and cultures by singing, playing, moving and in organizing sound.
 
In Dance, students develop knowledge, skills and understandings by using the elements and contexts of dance. They also develop knowledge, skills and understandings in appreciating their own dances and those of others.
 
In Drama, students develop knowledge, skills and understandings by using the elements of drama and also developing their appreciation of their own and other’s works. (adapted from pp6-7 Creative Arts Syllabus)