Primary Learning and Teaching

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM

The Australian Curriculum has now become widely adopted throughout all states and territories. It is well respected and sets out a pathway of learning based on developmental standards that are rigorous and address many of the important issues that are special to our Australian context such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Australia’s geography and history, and Australia’s engagement with Asia.

TRANSFORMATION BY DESIGN

With the development of this national curriculum and the desire to teach through an explicitly Christian worldview, the College uses the Transformation by Design (TbD) methodology. This is a method of planning, assessing, and teaching the Australian Curriculum within an explicitly Christian and biblical worldview.

Transformation by Design is built upon the highly regarded Understanding by Design approach that uses a backwards planning method to design units. However, our mission requires that our graduates do more than understand; we want them to be able to apply what they learn and to play their part in transforming this world to be more just and caring and as God intended it to be.

Transformation by Design is built upon the Christian principles that God created and sustains all things (Col 1:15-20) and that we, in God’s design, all bear His image full of worth and intelligence (Gen 1-2). We can be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2) because of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross (John 3:16-17). Therefore, in the study of all subjects and learning areas, we seek to uncover His handiwork and seek to make His kingdom here on Earth (Matt 6:10).

DEVELOPING A PLENTY VALLEY TEACHING PROGRAM

The Australian curriculum provides us with the content that all Australian schools cover in each year level and TbD will give us a program design that will bring out planned Christian principles as we investigate that content.

We will continue to use the skills developed under PYP and teach tailored transdisciplinary units using an inquiry approach to curriculum content alongside more skill-based and directive educational strategies.

Through Transformation by Design we are intentionally working to develop graduates that embody our College values and who are ready to embrace the good works that God has prepared in advance for them (Eph 2:10).

Primary Head of Learning and Teaching, Mr Paul Connelly