OUR VISION – Building Strong FoundationsCURRICULUM PROGRAMME OVERVIEWOur Vision‘Building Strong Foundations’ is our key to unlocking the world of learning and paving the way forward whereour girls can take their dreams to fruition. We want to inspire and equip our young learners by focusing ourJunior Years program on the traditional core subjects of: Literacy (reading, writing and oral language) andNumeracy, through the application of modern and contemporary teaching and learning approaches.In our classrooms the girls will apply skills, strategies and knowledge to learning situations throughexploration, inquiry and real life contexts. The learning focus will be for the girls to consolidate and buildon their skills to an independent level. This will be created by providing a warm, stimulating and nurturingclassroom environment, where learning is seen as fun and interactive.To create our vision into a reality we are working on:Developing a K-12 consistent assessment and curriculum program model with Heads of Departments, throughthe development of matrices in English, Mathematics, Science and Society and Environment.Restructuring the timetable - in 2010 junior classes will have one hour of reading, one hour writing andliteracy and numeracy hourly blocks each day.Enhancing our classroom environments - through refreshing classroom spaces and digital display technology.It is an exciting time for the Junior Years - we have a very positive spirit and direction. We care about ouryoung learners and are committed to providing them the tools for life!We want our girls to experience a seamless transition from our Junior Years to our Middle Years as competentand confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense ofbelonging and secure in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.MLC MOTTOPer Ardua ad Alta ~ Strive for the Highest“To learn, to desire, to know, to feel, to think, to act.This is what I want and nothing else. This is what I must try for.”Katherine MansfieldEducation is about community and the development of the whole person. Central values and expectations areimperative to positive learning. In the Junior Years we want to continue to build onto the partnership wherethe school and family work closely together to cater for your daughter’s needs.The Junior Years provides a secure and encouraging environment which fosters the holistic development of itsstudents along with their growth in self-esteem and confidence. Opportunities are provided for the girls to learnco-operatively, to develop respect for others and to become independent learners.Students are encouraged to progress at a rate which is appropriate to their ability and development. In theJunior Years we place strong emphasis on attainment of solid literacy and numeracy skills, as well as in InquiryLearning, which includes the areas of Society and Environment, Science, Health and Technology and Enterprise.Your daughter will have specialist teachers K-6, in Art, Music, Dance, Drama 1-6, Languages Other Than English,Physical Education, Library Skills and Christian Education.Computer Information and Communication Technologies are used across the curriculum at all year levels.The Junior Years curriculum is outcomes-based. Skills and strategies are developed sequentially and there iscontinuity throughout the <strong>College</strong>.LEARNING DEVELOPMENT TEAMInclusive Education<strong>Methodist</strong> Ladies’ <strong>College</strong> provides an inclusive Learning Development Program for all students.The term inclusive practice or inclusive education has traditionally been used in relation to studentswith a disability. At <strong>Methodist</strong> Ladies’ <strong>College</strong> inclusive education encompasses the needs of all students. Thefocus is on maximising all students’ learning. The philosophy of inclusive education encourages educators tocreate new ways to challenge students requiring extension and support.The Junior Years at <strong>Methodist</strong> Ladies’ <strong>College</strong> models and provides an inclusive education program for students.The Learning Development Team oversees the operation of student programs within the Junior Years. Issues orconcerns can be taken either to your class teacher or a member of the Learning Development Team.STUDENT ASSESSMENTWithin the Junior Years there are a range of assessments used including, observation, testing, worksamples and outcomes-based matrices.Your daughter’s progress is continually monitored and reported on throughout the year. Class teachersprovide feedback to the student, her parents, and support teachers so that everyone is working togetherto ensure positive learning progress.The following reporting and interview procedures take place throughout the year:Term OneParent Information Evening is held early in Term one, where the classroom program is outlined by yourdaughter’s classroom teacher.Parent Interviews towards the end of Term one. This is an opportunity for your daughter and her classteacher to discuss learning goals and class progress.Term TwoAt the end of Term two a written mid-year report is posted home.Term ThreeNear the beginning of Term three your daughter will share with you her Semester one Learning Journalat our My Learning Community Day.Term FourA formal summative report is posted home, and your daughter will share with you her Semester two LearningJournal. The Journal will be required to be returned back to the <strong>College</strong> before the end of the term.Curriculum ProgrammeJunior Years Information 2010 • Page 4 Junior Years Information 2010 • Page 5
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