Stage Based Education

Curriculum is written in 4 different levels for primary school, allowing children 2 years to complete each level. It makes sense to make our classrooms match this style of learning and has advantages for students, teachers and parents.

Benefits

For students

• Maximum opportunity to achieve all outcomes
• An opportunity to develop friendships with many peers
• Maths and Literacy work designed specifically with their abilities in mind to maximise their learning and development
  An increase in self-esteem and confidence both academically and socially
• An interesting, stimulating and practical Integrated Program that teaches them about the world they live in

For teachers

• An opportunity to plan and teach curriculum together
• A chance to see all children achieve success with their learning
• Providing education and life learning that meets each child's needs is what we strive to achieve as teachers

For parents

• Education specifically targeted at their child's level of learning
• Happy children who love having different teachers for different subjects throughout the day and love doing work that they can achieve

Home Groups

A combined group of children from the 2 year levels associated with each stage (Stage 2 = Year 2/3, Stage 3 = Year 4/5, Stage 4 = Year 6/7). Prep (2 classes from 2008) and Year 1 stay as separate classes, with class sizes between 21 - 25 students.

When children are in Home Groups they complete work from their Christian Life Program, Integrated Program, Library, German, Swimming and Sport.

Journey Groups
Maths and Language lessons. Children are specifically chosen for each group according to the point they are at in their learning journey. Hence, when children are in their journey groups other children in the group work at a similar level and pace as them. These groups are much smaller than home groups, between 8 - 20 students. Journey groups improve each child's understanding, challenges and extends their thinking and sets them up for success in achieving all outcomes. Maths and Literacy are very important aspects of each child's learning. At Bethany we believe that through journey groups we can improve every child's learning success and development in these vital areas.

Integrated programs

Teaching from Studies of Society and Environment, Health and Physical Education, Science, The Arts, Technology, through an overarching Rich Concept. There are 8 Rich Concepts that are taught throughout the school over a 2-year cycle.

• Our Community
• Relationships and Interdependence
• Earth and Beyond
• Past, Present and Future
• Identity and Well Being
• Energy and Movement
• The Built and Imaginative World
• Beliefs, Values and Heritage

These Rich Concepts give children the opportunity to learn about the world they are a part of in a very relevant way. The development of a whole person is equally as important as academic achievements. Parents are wanting to see their child develop in skills of communication, co-operation, problem solving and be able to confidently succeed in the society of today and of the future. Through Bethany's Integrated Programs these important life skills are valued and actively taught.

Timetable overview