It is a well-known fact amongst our feeder schools that our children are, “...confident, happy, capable young people, academically ready for secondary school”.
Over the duration of our carefully crafted 7-year IB program, we equip children with the critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social skills, self-efficacy and academic rigour needed to not just survive but thrive into secondary school and throughout their life.
Students in all year levels have the opportunity to represent their peers at Student Representative Council (SRC) where they have a say in things like school policies and exciting future plans such as the school master plan. Students also have the chance to take on different roles in the classroom setting, with responsibilities such as the leadership of morning prayer or office monitor.
Our Approach
Learning and teaching consists of explicit, evidence based instruction. Underpinned by the IB inquiry based curriculum framework. We take a student-centred approach that reflects the best of educational research.
What lies ahead
The middle and senior years are pivotal in your child’s educational journey, leading up to the culmination of their primary school experience: the Year 6 Exhibition. Instilling your child with the skills of persective, critical thinking, collaboration and independence. Preparing them to thrive in a new and vastly different world.
YEAR 3
Expectation Learning becomes more solidified as children grow as learners. At St Columba’s we expect more of the children as they enter the middle years in terms of academics, gaining independence, and enhancing self-regulation. Motivation shifts from extrinsic to intrinsic, as they become increasingly responsible for their own learning.
Leadership role They will take on the role of Energy Savers, developing more social consciousness and global awareness. They will support the Y4 Eco Warriors to promote sustainable practices within the school.
YEAR 4
Expectation The single most important aspect of this year is children’s increasing independence and confidence in what they can achieve at school. Your child will be encouraged to make decisions on how to present work, how and when to complete homework, and how to learn best.
Leadership roleThey are the Eco Warriors of our school. They will run this sustainable organisation througout the year. This requires them to apply for jobs, have regular meetings, address environmental needs within the school and engage in hands-on activities related to environmental sustainability. They grow and harvest produce, which they then sell within the school community. This practice not only imparts financial independence, but also nurtures a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.
YEAR 5
Expectation In this year we focus more on getting your child ready for transition to secondary school. This is often a year when children grow in maturity - sometimes even more so than in their final year in primary. They gain greater independence and confidence from being given more responsibility in their learning - encouraging independence in preparation for the Y6 Exhibition and secondary school. This year will help them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to excel in their final year.
Leadership role They will take on the role of Social Justice Leaders. They will visit the Aged Care Centre at Sacred Heart Mission, raise awareness of Social Justice within the school and community by promoting Caritas’ Project Compassion, supporting Vinnies Winter Appeal and more.
YEAR 6
Expectation Being in Year 6 truly is the most memorable time in your child’s primary education. This is the culmination of their seven years of learning, showing growth and maturity. The final Exhibition is the concluding, collaborative experience of the Primary Years Programme. In this event, our children demonstrate their understanding of an issue or opportunity they have chosen to explore, showcasing their capacity for self-directed learning and their commitment to taking action.
Leadership role They take on the formal leadership roles of the school including: house, wellbeing, assembly, communication and community engagement captains. The children apply for these roles at the end of Y5 and are voted in. Y6s are also buddies to incoming preps, they organise activities for St Columba’s Kids, assist on the playground and contribute to the newsletter.
