Specialist Programs

Visual Arts

VISUAL ARTS Program

All students at Balwyn Primary attend Visual Art classes in the art room for one hour each week. This curriculum area is skill based and focuses on the art elements of colour, shape, line, pattern, texture, space and form. Areas such as drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, ceramics and construction are explored through an inquiry based integrated curriculum and Art History focus.

Students are provided with the opportunity to experiment with ideas, concepts and feelings, and are encouraged to use their imagination and perception to plan and create artwork.

The Visual Arts curriculum aims to provide students with the opportunity to:

  • enjoy activities and develop their confidence using a variety of media
  • develop their creativity and imagination
  • improve and build up their skills and knowledge
  • develop their problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills
  • take risks when exploring new ideas
  • recognise artists and artworks from the past, and from different cultures
  • appreciate the role of digital technology

The Art program aims to promote that each student takes care and pride in their artwork. An appreciation and an awareness of visual art will be encouraged through the mounting and displaying of students’ individual work within the school for a period of time before taking it home or kept in individual portfolios until the end of year.

This year, for the first time, there are two students who have been elected to be Art Councillors. They will be involved in a number of roles including updating what’s happening in the art room at Assembly.

Towards the end of last year, The Art Show on November 20, 2014 marked the culmination of a very busy year in the art room! It was an outstanding community event which showcased the artistic talents of our students. Thank you again to everyone who supported this occasion throughout the year and on the day. It was a shame, however, that on the day rain decided to spoil the party atmosphere!

 

ICT

At BPS, ICT is used as a tool to enhance learning and to engage students in their learning. All classrooms have networked laptops/work stations connected to the school intranet. In addition, all classrooms are equipped with “ICT Capable Classroom” hardware, which includes an interactive tablet, data projector, screen, webcam, digital and video camera and digital microscope.

The class teachers incorporate ICT into their lesson plans on a daily basis. Literacy and Numeracy lessons incorporate digital learning objects and use the interactive equipment to complement explicit teaching.

LOTE – Mandarin

LOTE Blog:  https://lotebps.global2.vic.edu.au

 

Language studies focus on developing language proficiency and promote intercultural understanding. Studying a language better equips students to engage with others and participate fully in an increasingly globalised world.

What does studying a language mean for students?

By studying another language, students:

  • gain access to other peoples’ ideas and ways of thinking
  • become interested in and respectful of other cultures
  • develop social and cognitive skills that will help them in other areas of the curriculum
  • improve future employment and economic opportunities

In 2012, our school introduced our Mandarin LOTE programme as part of the curriculum. At Balwyn Primary, Mandarin is timetabled for one 60 minute session per week throughout all the year levels with prep students getting an extra 30 minute session weekly.

The Mandarin programme at Balwyn Primary offers a range of fun spoken and written language activities and cultural experiences for our students.

2015 Term 1 – Languages (Mandarin)

Foundation (Prep)

This term, prep students will be introduced to Mandarin as their LOTE at BPS. AIM methodology (gesture-based) will be used to facilitate language activities and enhance students’ understanding of sound and meaning of the Chinese language. A great range of listening and speaking activities such as songs, raps and rhymes will keep students engaged during the language learning process. Students will also start developing their understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture through a series of hands-on activities.

Year 1/2

This term, 1/2 students will be engaged in a range of language activities which will enhance their Mandarin skills. AIM methodology (gesture-based) will continue to be used as the main teaching method. Students will start learning one of the official AIM stories – ‘Xiao Mao Zhao Jia’ where a number of songs, rhymes and performances are introduced. Students will also be doing Chinese cultural activities to celebrate the Year of the Sheep.

Year 3/4

This term, 3/4 students will continue their Mandarin learning by starting another newly developed AIM story kit ‘Xiao Mao Zhao Jia’ which involves useful expressions in a real-life scenario. A range of language activities will be used to reinforce students’ understanding of the Chinese language. Songs, raps, videos and other use of ICT will be introduced to stimulate students’ interest of language learning. Students will also be doing Chinese cultural activities to celebrate the Year of the Sheep.

Year 5/6

This term, 5/6 students will be engaged in a range of language activities, which will reinforce their understanding of the Chinese language. Students will have the opportunity to work both independently and collaboratively and be involved in the term project. Students will have different options available to suit their preferred working style and achieve their language learning goals. They will also be doing Chinese cultural activities to celebrate the Year of the Sheep.

Music

Music  Blog: https://mrsranogajec.global2.vic.edu.au

Music is an integral part of the curriculum and has a high profile within the school. All students from Prep to Year 6 attend general music lessons and recorder tuition commences in Year 3. There are choirs at each level in which all students in years P-2, 3/4 and 5/6 participate, plus the school choir ‘Balwyn Singers’.

An extensive Instrumental Music program is available, with children learning from visiting music tutors.

Please see our Instrumental Music Program page for more information.

There are ensembles for the children to participate in, such as string orchestra and concert band. The ensembles vary from year to year, depending on the group of students involved in the program.

There are 2 concerts each year at which the choirs and ensembles perform. Matinees or Soirees Informal matinees and soirees are held twice a year, where parents can listen to their children perform in front of an audience. Any child who is learning an instrument can perform. The performing arts are important at the school, with the children participating in assembly performances, concerts, matinees, soirees and community events.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

 

Foundation (Prep)

Term one introduces prep students to Health and Physical Education. We focus on movement and spatial awareness through a Perceptual Motor Program, minor games such as Freeze, Wizards and Rocks and many more to develop a sense of play and an understanding of instructions.

Students begin to develop throwing and catching skills through isolated activities and minor games. Skills will be learned developmentally and students will focus on the key points of throwing and catching so these can be applied to a range of activities and sports.

 

Year 1/2

This term Year 1/2 students will start off Health and Physical Education with a range of minor games. Students will develop an understanding of rules and expectations and why and how these are important in games. We will move to cooperative games focusing on teamwork and working towards the same goal. Students will then focus on throwing and catching in isolation and in small activities. These skills will then be transferred to games focusing on throwing and catching, for example, Endzone and modified Basketball.

 

Year 3/4

This term in P.E.,  Year 3/4 students will begin with a unit on volleyball, invasion games such as european handball and speedball. Year3/4 students will also begin with a unit on Ultimate Frisbee. Using our new ‘aerobie discs,’ the sessions aim at developing their skills and and execution in throwing, catching and jumping, along with their coordination, movement and cooperative team involvement.  Students will experiement with different methods of throwing and catching, both stationary and moving, which they will then apply to the fast and exciting game of Ultimate frisbee.

The development of these dynamic skills will also have a carry on effect with an overall, and quite marked improvement in the way they use these skills in other throwing and catching sports. These units games will assist the students to understand and experience team sports, as well as addressing throwing and catching skills whilst also learning new sport specific skills.

The 3/4s will also begin their intensive swimming program and year 3/4  sport on a weekly basis.

We are off and running in term 1 and everyone is looking forward to trying our best, being good sports and learning new skills.

 

Year 5/6

This term in P.E.,  Year 5/6 students will begin with a unit on hockey 7’s. This will culmintae later in the year with BPS’s involvement in the districh hockey 7’s competition. The students will also participate in an AFL unit, along with other invasion games. Ultimate Frisbee will once again take a pride of place in P.E this term. Using our new ‘aerobie discs,’ the sessions aim at developing their skills and and execution in throwing, catching and jumping, along with their coordination, movement and cooperative team involvement.  Students will experiement with different methods of throwing and catching, both stationary and moving, which they will then apply to the fast and exciting game of Ultimate frisbee.

The development of these dynamic skills will also have a carry on effect with an overall, and quite marked improvement in the way they use these skills in sports such as tennic, netwball, basketball, soccer and football.

 

Interschool Sport will begin this term with the Year 5/6 teams already hard at work training for kanga cricket, tee ball, Rounders and Bat tennis. Students will train one day a week at lunchtime with their coach. District swimming and Stomp will also feature this term.

 

During this term Sports Councillors will be chosen, with candidates presenting to the class before a secret ballot. The ball has started rolling already this term, and everyone is looking forward to trying our best, being good sports, and learning new skills.