Religious Education
The Religious Dimension is the core element in everything we do, founded on the teachings of Jesus through the Gospels as reflected in the Dominican tradition. Religion is an integral component of the overall curriculum. Students regularly pray, reflect, engage with and interpret the Catholic tradition. They participate in daily prayer, liturgical celebrations and a range of social justice and sustainability activities. Whilst the celebration of the Sacraments occurs within local parishes, the school supports families in the preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.
English
Through the English curriculum we incorporate elements of reading, viewing and listening and speaking, writing and creating. Our aim at Blackfriars is to develop and enhance literacy skills so that our boys are able to confidently communicate, imaginatively create and critically question when engaging in the literacy world around them. Learning is centred around students and explicitly taught with contextual understanding. With the general capabilities of grammar, text, word and visual knowledge, students learn to comprehend and compose texts through speaking, writing, creating, listening, reading and viewing.
Mathematics
Students are encouraged to develop a positive attitude, curiosity in and enjoyment of Mathematics. The curriculum provides the opportunity for the students to develop their mathematical skills in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. There is an emphasis on students experiencing success and growing in confidence in their ability to use Mathematics for practical and everyday purposes, using a variety of hands-on learning experiences that link to real world problems.
Science
By engaging in a range of hands-on experiences and research tasks, students are led to observe and appreciate the physical world, pose problems, make investigations, draw conclusions and communicate their findings. Students explore biological, chemical, physical, Earth and Space sciences. The Primary Connections Science program supports the Science curriculum in the Primary School. The Primary students use the Science Laboratories as part of their Science lessons.
STEM
STEM incorporates a range of strategies that helps students apply concepts and skills from the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to solve meaningful problems. It integrates the four disciplines into real world rigorous and relevant experiences for students.
HASS - Humanities & Social Sciences
The Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum includes a study of History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business. Through studying Humanities and Social Sciences, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. Thinking about and responding to issues requires an understanding of the key historical, geographical, political, economic and societal factors involved and how these interrelate.
Health & Physical Education
The aim is to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills for a healthy lifestyle. A Specialist teacher provides a comprehensive program of participation in a variety of Physical Education activities. Students focus on the significance of personal decisions and behaviours, community structures and practices that promote health, safety and physical activity. The Primary students have access to the Frassati Hall, Gym and ovals as part of their lessons.
Technologies
Technology is made up of two distinct but related subjects: Design & Technology and Digital Technology. In Design & Technology, students use design, thinking and technologies to generate and produce designed solutions for authentic needs and opportunities. Whereas Digital Technologies involves students using computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement digital solutions that enhance their understanding of the curriculum.
Performing Arts
Dance (one semester)
Dance enables students to develop a movement vocabulary with which to explore and refine imaginative ways of moving individually and collaboratively. Students choreograph, rehearse, perform and respond as they engage with dance practice and practitioners in their own and others’ cultures and communities. Students use the elements of dance to explore choreography and performance and to practise choreographic, technical and expressive skills. They respond to their own and others’ dances using physical and verbal communication.
Drama (one semester)
Drama enables students to imagine and participate in exploration of their worlds, individually and collaboratively. Students actively use body, gesture, movement, voice and language, taking on roles to explore and depict real and imagined worlds. They create, rehearse, perform and respond using the elements and conventions of drama and emerging and existing technologies available to them. Students learn to think, move, speak and act with confidence. In making and staging drama, they learn how to be focused, innovative and resourceful, and collaborate and take on responsibilities for drama presentations.
Languages - Specialist Learning Area
Japanese
Japanese is offered to all students. The program focused on developing communication skills in Japanese and fostering students’ love and confidence for learning a different language. In addition, students develop skills to learn a different language.
Pedagogy
The program aims for students’ language acquisition through intentional gestures, songs, stories, interactive activities such as interviews in the target language and role play. Students are encouraged to participate in language class actively and use the language to develop their language competency.
The Japanese script (Hiragana) is taught explicitly from early primary years through visual flashcards, tactile activities, interactive activities and writing activities.
Various cultural activities and incursions are offered to stimulate students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the Japanese culture.
Assessment
Language assessment includes observation, participation in class, oral role-plays and dialogues, vocabulary and script tests and listening and reading comprehension assessments.
Art – Specialist Learning Area
The students’ natural abilities are nurtured and encouraged through the visual arts. The concepts of skill development, problem solving and discovery are an important component of this area. Artistic creativity and self-expression is fostered.
Pedagogy
In each classroom, there is a high level of support for the students to engage in their learning. Teachers link learning to prior knowledge and build effective connections by combining their knowledge of the specific subject matter the class is exploring and their knowledge of the cognitive, social and cultural backgrounds of the students.
There is opportunity for individual and group work, class and small group discussion and reflection and evaluation. The students engage in hands on practical activities and along with interactive demonstrations, students have many opportunities to achieve.
Assessment
All students are expected to be involved in all activities and to recount, respond and reflect on their experience, strengths and areas of improvement. Students are assessed on skills learnt, creativity and their ability to respond to inspirations as a starting point for producing artworks.
Music – Specialist Learning Area
Specialist Learning Area Enjoyment, involvement, responding and connecting, creating and exploration of various musical elements are the focus of the Primary Music program. All classes attend a weekly music lesson taught by Music specialists. A range of activities are included in the program which incorporate singing, listening, movement, Orff based activities on tuned and non-tuned percussion, composing using graphic notation and technology and Liturgical Singing. Students from Years 3 to 6 have the opportunity to apply for the Brass and Woodwind Immersion Program. Concert Band 3 is a co-curricular ensemble for students in Years 3 to 7 who have private instrumental lessons or who are part of the Immersion Program to further develop their instrumental skills. Participation in the Year 5/6/7 Choir involves performances at various school functions, masses and wider community events. Members of the Choir are also provided the opportunity to be involved in the Catholic Schools Music Festival.
Pedagogy
Students are taught in an environment that provides inclusivity, flexibility and creativity, helping them to achieve their individual goals at the highest level possible. Lessons are differentiated and cover a wide range of learning styles for various student needs. The curriculum considers student’s cultural diversities, prior knowledge and makes meaningful connections with other areas of their learning. There is opportunity for individual and group work, which results in students demonstrating their practical skills in a public performance. Reflection and evaluation is included as part of this process which enriches their understanding of the musical and cultural context of the performance. Assessment has a strong practical focus with students actively participating in class activities individually and as a member of an ensemble.
Assessment
Assessment is based on both solo and ensemble performances, written tests, listening and responding analysis, composition and arrangement using technologies, and personal reflections and evaluations.
