SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Curriculum

Teachers work collaboratively at our school to develop a comprehensive curriculum that ensures all learners are extended at their point of need. Our pedagogical model is based on the highly-effective Explicit Teaching approach, where teachers model skills for students, and students work collaboratively with teachers and their peers to develop independence and adaptive expertise. 

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

ENGLISH

Somers Primary School is committed to improving student outcomes in Literacy from Foundation to Year 6. We use the Somers Primary School Explicit Teaching Model to target whole class needs, focusing on all aspects of Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening in the Victorian Curriculum. Students are also supported in small groups and individually at their point of need. Our aim is for students to develop a love of reading and writing and to see themselves as confident, independent readers and writers.

At Somers Primary School, we run modelled and shared reading sessions focusing on comprehension, accuracy, fluency and building vocabulary. The teaching practices we use to support individual and small groups of students include guided reading, reciprocal reading, independent reading and conferencing. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive Book Circle Program where we offer a broad selection of sets of authentic literature. Small groups of students read, think deeply and discuss with adults and peers the texts they are reading.

In writing, we develop writers who understand what high quality writing looks and sounds like. We explicitly teach the purpose, structure and language features of a variety of genre including punctuation and grammar through modelled and shared writing. We target the needs of individuals and small groups of students using guided writing and conferencing. Students are encouraged to be ambitious with their writing, to set goals and develop a wide range of skills to improve their writing.

We explicitly teach spelling and grammar using the SMART spelling program and teach handwriting through whole class and small group instruction.

Somers Primary school

MATHEMATICS

At Somers Primary School we believe the teaching of Mathematics should foster in our students a mindset of inquiry, engagement in interesting, real world problems and encourage application of a range of strategies or approaches.

The teaching of Mathematics is based on the Victorian Curriculum and covers the three strands of:

  • Number and Algebra
  • Measurement and geometry
  • Statistics and Probability

 

During 2020 we developed the Somers Primary School Explicit Teaching model in Maths. This model provides the framework for all maths lessons and is based on the most recent research of best practice teaching. Our lessons involve a fluency component, a clear description of the learning intention for students, teachers modelling the skill being taught, students practising the skill in context with teacher feedback and support, with a reflection on learning at the end of the session. 

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Science program at Somers Primary School aims to provide students with authentic, hands-on learning opportunities to build a solid foundation of knowledge of the biological, chemical, physical, Earth and space sciences.

 

Our goal is to foster and expand students’ interest and curiosity to question the changing world in which they live. Crucial to this is our focus on supporting students to understand the nature of scientific inquiry and the ability to use a range of inquiry skills, including: questioning, planning and conducting experiments and investigations, collecting and analysing data, evaluating results, and drawing critical, evidence-based conclusions.

 

Students participate in fortnightly 90 minute sessions where our inquiry-based and investigative approach allows student questions to become the focus for student-planned investigations. They are engaged through collaborative learning experiences where links between the curriculum and outside of the classroom drive authentic and purposeful learning. Developing scientific literacy plays a key role in our Science program and during these sessions, students learn how to represent their understandings using a variety of different literacies.

 

Embedded, authentic assessment, including lots of formative assessment for learning makes certain our program is effective in meeting the needs of our students. Science knowledge continues to be revised, refined and extended as new evidence arises therefore, the continuous evaluation of our program ensures the planning and delivery of a rich and engaging curriculum where students are exposed to current ideas and scientific views.

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

SPORT, HEALTH AND PE

Students at Somers PS are involved in one P.E. session each week for 45 minutes. Prep students are involved in an additional 30 minute Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) within small groups. Grades 1-4 have an additional 45 minute Sport session, while grades 5-6 have an additional 60 minute Sport session per week.

Our Physical Education Program is based around fundamental motor skill development, game sense, fitness, fair/safe play, healthy choices and ‘having a go’.  We encourage students to participate in a wide range of sports and develop confidence to transfer skills learnt to new games or attempt a completely new movement challenge.

House System

The house system is used in a range of school competitions to bring in the sense of team spirit and friendly competition. The House system gives students the chance to be part of a team and develop the skills needed when being a team member or being a leader. We use the House system for a range of school sporting carnivals such as Athletics, Cross country, Swimming and bike trials. The House Captains also have the opportunity to assist in running the junior events as well as organising a whole school ‘Footy Day’.

Water Safety Programs

Students from year Prep-2 have the opportunity to be involved in a swimming program at YMCA (Somerville), while our year 3-6 students are involved in an open water beach program at Somers beach – this has been run by Point Leo Lifesaving club.

Interschool competitions

Somers PS is part of the Crib Point Sports Association, as part of School Sport Victoria (SSV).  Students have the opportunity to compete in a number of SSV sports – at District, Division, Regional, State and National levels, including:

  • Swimming
  • Cross Country
  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Cricket
  • Volleyball
  • Australian Rules Football
  • Netball
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Tee Ball
  • Golf
  • Bat Tennis
  • Rugby League Mod 8s

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

INDONESIAN

Halo! Nama saya Ibu Tamara Kelly. Saya bekerja sebagai guru Indonesia di Sekolah Dasar Somers. Hello. My name is Tamara Kelly. I work as an Indonesian teacher at Somers Primary School. After having lived and worked in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as obtaining my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Indonesian, my lessons aim to provide students with an in-depth journey into this diverse archipelago.

 

Based on the Victorian Curriculum, the Indonesian program aims to develop students’ language skills and cultural knowledge. Students from Prep until Year 6 learn Indonesian for a 45-minute session per week. We are lucky at Somers Primary to have an Indonesian room, which provides students with an authentic space filled with Indonesian artefacts and learning materials. I even set the tables and chairs up to look like an Indonesian classroom!

 

The Indonesian program places a strong emphasis on sharing personal cultural experiences, real-world learning, and inquiry. Some of the activities have included an Indonesian Master Chef class, making 3D habitats for Indonesian animals, role plays such as bargaining at the markets, and designing a Balinese home. It is important to me that the program offers students the opportunity to step into someone else’s world, developing their intercultural understanding, as well as having fun!

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

PERFORMING ARTS

My name is Tamara Kelly, and I also teach Performing Arts at Somers Primary School. Having completed an Arts program as part of my Master’s Degree and a genuine passion for the arts, I am committed to providing students with a valuable learning experience. I encourage them to take risks, share and present ideas, use their imagination, and work together to develop their team-work and communication skills.

 

The program’s objective is not only to develop students’ knowledge about the Arts but also to allow them to express themselves creatively. The program’s content is based on the Victorian Curriculum. The lessons run for 45-minute sessions from Prep to Year 6  on a fortnightly basis. At Somers Primary School, Performing Arts provides students with  an opportunity to learn both Music and Drama, offering a comprehensive exploration into the Arts.

 

Through Performing Arts, students develop their confidence and creative problem-solving abilities, learn how to work under pressure, and be adaptable and flexible. Musical activities have included learning about Hip Hop culture, writing a rap song, practising beats and rhythm with percussion instruments, as well as exploring West African music. In Drama, some of the students’ achievements have included creating an old fashioned wireless radio show; writing plays using dramatic elements such as suspense, as well as improvisation activities. I aim to provide students with a diverse and exciting program, so they enjoy their learning experience.

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

VISUAL ARTS

The Visual Arts Program at Somers Primary school aims to nurture students’ creativity and develop their visual arts skills. Lessons are structured around the Victorian Curriculum standards and include art, craft and design projects. Our program works to develop students’ confidence and imagination using a variety of techniques and materials. Students explore, make and express themselves in our visual arts sessions. 

Students have one and a half hour long lessons fortnightly which provides them with an extended opportunity to delve into each topic and develop their skills. Lessons use inspiration from the natural local environment such as the school gardens and the Somers Foreshore Reserve.  The works of prominent artists are explored and used to develop a range of techniques as well as an appreciation for different visual arts practices.  Our program uses research-based teaching practices to develop students’ creative and critical thinking skills.  We support and extend students through explicit teaching and reflective discussions.

We are very grateful for the engagement of the local community and the Somers Arts Fair in supporting our Visual Arts program. This event fosters a school-wide appreciation for the arts and is an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in a real-world art show and be exposed to a range of creative expertise.

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SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

HUMANITIES

As they progress through years Prep to six, students at Somers Primary School learn about Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History. 

The Humanities provide a framework for students to examine the complex processes that have shaped the modern world and to investigate responses to different challenges including people’s interconnections with the environment.

In Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business, students explore the systems that shape society, with a specific focus on legal and economic systems. Students learn about Australia’s role in global systems, and are encouraged to appreciate democratic principles and to contribute as active, informed and responsible citizens.

In History and Geography, students explore the processes that have shaped and which continue to shape different societies and cultures, to appreciate the common humanity shared across time and distance, and to evaluate the ways in which humans have faced and continue to face different challenges.

Across the curriculum, students learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, Australia’s engagement with Asia and Sustainability. 

 

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

 

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential in enabling students to understand themselves and others. At Somers Primary School, SEL is taught via Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) learning resources. RRRR cover eight topics of Social and Emotional Learning: Emotional Literacy, Personal Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem Solving, Stress Management, Help Seeking, Gender and Identity and Positive Gender Relationships.

Through this program, students learn to recognise and regulate emotions, develop empathy for others and understand relationships, establish and build a framework for positive relationships, work effectively in teams and develop leadership skills, and handle challenging situations constructively. Skills are explicitly taught in the classroom over the course of the year and students are provided with opportunities to practise and model newly learnt skills in different school settings.

 

SOMERS PRIMARY SCHOOL

MSL INTERVENTION

Somers Primary School utilises the contracted services of a literacy specialist to deliver Multisensory Structured Language intervention. This program is delivered to students requiring additional individual and/or small group instruction in Literacy. 
Multisensory teaching is an important aspect of instruction for students who have not achieved age-expected literacy levels (including students with dyslexia) that is used by clinically trained teachers. The approach’s evidence
base shows it is effective for all literacy learners. It includes instruction for students that is explicit, structured, systematic, cumulative, cognitive, intensive and focused on meaningfully taking speech to print. The multisensory component involves the use of visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously to enhance memory and learning of written language.
Prior to starting the program, our specialist undertakes individual pre-assessment with children. This information is then compared to post assessment data to determine progress in literacy and monitor the effect of
the approach on each child. Students are taught phonology and phonological awareness, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax and semantics.

 

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CONTACT INFORMATION

87 Camp Hill Rd, Somers VIC 3927  |  CALL (03) 5983 5546

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