Primary | Sirius College

Primary School

Our primary school students learn in an environment that provides a strong foundation for their middle and senior years. Students are encouraged to think independently and to acquire critical thinking abilities. The students’ creativity and individuality are recognised as important factors which help children reach their potential.

Sirius College fosters learning via the eight learning areas of the Australian National Curriculum:

English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages.

Student Wellbeing

Sirius College strives to nurture the well-being of students. We have adopted some special programs to develop positive social and emotional individuals who are engaged in their own learning.

The programs also promote social skills and values such as confidence, persistence, harmonious relationships with others, organisation and resilience.

Academic Success

In some of our primary school campuses, Arts, Languages, Religion and Values, Health and PE are taught by specialised subject teachers.

Students’ academic progress is closely monitored and communicated to parents via online platforms to make sure that everyone is on the same page to maximise the potential of the students while keeping the balance to “let the kids be kids”.

Better Buddies

Foundation students are partnered with an upper primary student at the beginning of the year to help develop a sense of community.

The Better Buddies program encourages younger children to feel safe on the school grounds while also giving a sense of responsibility to older children.

Camps and Excursions

We see camps and excursions as a valuable aspect of a fully rounded program of development for children through the provision of real and first-hand experiences. As a part of the school outdoor education program, camps are held for the duration of 1-3 nights for Years 3-6 students and provide an enriching experience.

Extracurricular Activities

In keeping with our learning principles, we are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive program so that all students within the college have opportunities to experiment and shine in areas of their choice. Our extra-curricular activities have the capacity to engage, challenge and enhance the student’s learning experiences.

Curriculum Overview

Sirius College is committed to providing a flexible and balanced curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of every student. Our curriculum framework is designed to develop successful learners, empower students to become critical thinkers, and nurture them with a wide range of skills, interests, and attributes. We strive to equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in today's world while also instilling core school values: respect, empathy, inquiry, resilience and responsibility.

We recognise that each student is unique, with different interests and learning needs. That's why we've developed a flexible curriculum structure that uses differentiation to ensure that each student's particular needs are met by individualised pathways. Our curriculum is aligned with the Australian Curriculum and the College's mission and vision, providing students with a solid foundation for success.

In order to provide a balanced approach to learning, the school week is divided into 24 periods, with five periods per day, except on Wednesdays when there are four periods. Our curriculum covers a wide range of subjects across the eight learning areas, including English, Mathematics, Sciences (including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Humanities and Social Sciences (including History, Geography, Economics and Business, Civics and Citizenship), The Arts (including Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts), Languages, Health and Physical Education, and Technologies (including Design and Technologies, and Digital Technologies).

Curriculum Scope and Sequence

The curriculum scope and sequence outlines how the curriculum is organised at each year level and how the learning areas will be substantially addressed. It provides a comprehensive overview of the weekly duration and allocation of subjects throughout the educational journey, from Year F to Year 12.

It is important to note that elective subjects, including languages and VCE studies, may vary in availability across campuses, and enrolment is subject to both availability and academic requirements as applicable.

Foundation Year (Year F) marks the beginning of formal schooling and is a crucial milestone in a child's educational journey. It serves as an important stepping stone in their academic development, laying the groundwork for future learning. During this introductory year, students are introduced to the foundational concepts and skills across various subject areas, including literacy, numeracy, science, and social skills. The focus is on fostering a love for learning, promoting social interaction, and building essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and creativity. In Foundation Year, students engage in play-based learning experiences, hands-on activities, and structured lessons that cater to their individual needs and learning styles. The nurturing and supportive environment helps students develop confidence, independence, and a positive attitude towards learning.

In Year F, all students are required to study English (including Humanities content), Mathematics, STEM (including Science and Technologies content), Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts (including Visual Arts and Media content) and Performing Arts (including Music, Dance and Drama content). For students who choose not to study Religion and Values, there will be an increased focus on Creative Arts and Performing Arts as a substitute.

English	9 periods per week
Mathematics	6 periods per week
STEM	2 periods per week
Health and Physical Education	3 periods per week
Creative Arts	1 periods per week
Performing Arts	1 periods per week
Religion and Values	2 periods per week

There is a progressive difference in the learning experiences and expectations from Year 1 to Year 4 of primary schooling. Students become more independent, critical thinkers, and effective communicators as they progress through primary school, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their educational journey.

In Year 1, the focus is on consolidating foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Students continue to develop and build upon their phonics knowledge, reading fluency, and comprehension abilities. They begin to write simple sentences, express their ideas, and develop basic numeracy concepts such as addition and subtraction.

Moving into Year 2, students build upon their literacy and numeracy skills, expanding their vocabulary, comprehension, and writing capabilities. They start to explore more complex texts and engage in independent reading. In mathematics, they deepen their understanding of number sense, measurement, and problem-solving strategies.

By Year 3, students become more confident and independent learners. They further develop their reading and writing skills, including understanding text structures, composing longer pieces, and applying grammar and punctuation conventions. In mathematics, they extend their knowledge of multiplication, division, fractions, and measurement. They also explore more advanced problem-solving strategies.

In Year 4, students continue to refine their literacy skills, reading and comprehending a wider range of texts, and expressing their ideas with greater clarity and coherence. They develop more sophisticated writing skills, including planning, editing, and revising their work. In mathematics, they explore more complex concepts such as decimals, geometric shapes, and data analysis. Problem-solving becomes more abstract and involves multiple steps.

In Years 1-4, all students are required to study English, Mathematics, STEM (including Science and Technologies content), Humanities (including History and Geography), Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts (including Visual Arts and Media content), Performing Arts (including Music, Dance and Drama content) and Languages. For students who choose not to study Religion and Values, there will be an increased focus on Creative Arts and Performing Arts as a substitute.

English	7 periods per week.
Mathematics	5 periods per week.
STEM	3 periods per week
Humanities	1 period per week
Health and Physical Education	2 periods per week
Creative Arts	1 period per week
Performing Arts	1 period per week.
Languages	2 periods per week
Religion and Values	2 periods per week

In Years 5 and 6, students continue to develop their literacy skills through a diverse range of texts, analysing both fiction and non-fiction materials. They refine their writing abilities, focusing on organising ideas, using more sophisticated language, and crafting coherent and engaging pieces. In mathematics, they explore concepts such as fractions, decimals, percentages, and algebraic thinking, applying logical reasoning and strategic thinking to solve more complex problems.

Throughout Years 5 and 6, students are required to study English, Mathematics, STEM (including Science and Technologies content), Humanities (including History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business content), Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts (including Visual Arts and Media content), Performing Arts (including Music, Dance, and Drama content), and Languages as part of their core studies. Additionally, all students have the opportunity to participate in an enrichment program tailored to their interests and abilities. For students who choose not to study Religion and Values, there will be an increased focus on Creative Arts and Performing Arts as a substitute.

The enrichment program provides a unique opportunity for Year 5-6 students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and extend their learning beyond the standard curriculum. Designed to challenge and engage students, the program offers a range of options that foster critical thinking, creativity, and independent inquiry. Through specialised projects, workshops, and competitions, students are encouraged to explore complex concepts, tackle real-world problems, and develop advanced skills in their chosen fields. The enrichment program enhances their educational experience and nurtures their talents, preparing them for future academic challenges and opportunities.

English	5 periods per week.
Mathematics	4 periods per week.
STEM	3 periods per week
Humanities	2 periods per week.
Health and Physical Education	2 periods per week
Creative Arts	1 period per week
Performing Arts	1 period per week.
Languages	2 periods per week
Religion and Values	3 periods per week.
Enrichment	2 periods per week: Students are required to choose one option from the available choices: Artisan Crafters Artistic Innovators Chess Community Project Junior Entrepreneurs: Foodies Junior Entrepreneurs: Product Development Maths Mania Product Development Pottery RoboWorks School Choir Siriusly Debating Sports Enrichment