From the first day of Prep to the final day of primary
school, Tara Shire State College offers its Primary Years students with dynamic
learning experiences and a robust curriculum. We teach the Australian
Curriculum by developing high quality units of work that focus on the
developmental and learning needs of individual students.
Teachers
use Explicit Instruction and Gradual Release to scaffold learning with layers
of support ranging from extra time, extension activities, adjusted assessments
and individual and group support with targeted assistance from the college’s
dedicated Teacher Aides. Underpinning our academic agenda is the Positive
Behaviour Learning (PBL) philosophy that we harness to ensure that
students are learning in a safe and supportive environment.
Primary School
Learning
The two phases of primary school (Early Years and
Middle/Upper Years) are very similar and the transition between each year level
is smoothed by a commitment to school wide teaching practices. However, the overarching social and
educational focus shifts slightly as students progress through the year levels
and grow in independence.
Pre-Prep and Early Years
(Prep – Year 2):
Our Pre-Prep program - PIPPAS (Parents Involved in Pre
Prep Program at School) provides a solid grounding for a successful transition
to school and supports both children and their parents as they participate in
activities that enhance physical, social, emotional and cognitive
development.
Our Early Years (P-2) programs are based on the development
of key speech and language, reading, writing, numeracy and social skills.
In particular, our teachers follow our Early Years Literacy Framework to ensure
that foundation skills are taught systematically, explicitly and well.
Years 3 to 6 - Middle
and Upper Primary Years:
To complement their growing
skills in literacy and numeracy, the Middle Years at TSSC provides students
with challenging learning opportunities that continue to develop key
understandings and skills in all subject areas with a focus on developing a
sense of community. We ensure our Middle Years students can successfully
transition from “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn” by providing daily,
intensive reading support.
Students in the Middle and Upper Years also
participate in the ever popular Primary Leadership Program that sees class
captains and sports house captains develop
leadership skills and take on active representative roles in the school
community.