Early Childhood
In the early years at St Lawrence we nurture a child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive development and communication skills by providing a quality, child focused program guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, The National Quality Standards and the West Australian Kindergarten Guidelines and Curriculum. Our focus is to develop the whole child by providing an environment in which children feel they belong through a safe, secure, nurturing and stimulating environment. Purposeful play experiences are provided that inspire the child’s natural curiosity and enhance their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Children are supported to make sense of their world as they engage with others and the environment in meaningful experiences for successful, creative and lifelong learning.
Literacy
Literacy involves students in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating oral, print, visual and digital texts and using and modifying language for different purposes in a range of contexts. Our Literacy Strategy is based on the WA Curriculum, the Literacy Strategy of Catholic Education WA, the Catholic Education WA Vision for Learning and the Early Years Learning Framework.
Students become literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use language confidently for learning and communicating in and out of school and for participating effectively in society. St Lawrence Primary School recognises Literacy as an essential skill for students in becoming successful learners and as a foundation for success in all learning areas.
All classes at St Lawrence have a timetabled Literacy Dedicated Time. This time is structured enabling teaching and learning to occur at a whole class, small group and individual level ensuring that differing learning needs of students are effectively catered for. Initial assessments are conducted to inform the starting point for instruction. Ongoing assessment and monitoring of student growth in achievement occurs to ensure that students are making gains and reaching their potential.
Numeracy
Our aim at St Lawrence Primary School is to ensure that all our students reach their potential in numeracy. Our programs are based on the WA Curriculum, the Numeracy Strategy of Catholic Education WA, the Catholic Education WA Vision for Learning and the Early Years Framework.
Numeracy Dedicated Time is a block of time dedicated to numeracy teaching and learning. This time is structured allowing the teacher to work at a whole class, small group and individual level, enabling the teacher to meet the needs of the differing levels of student achievement within each class. During Numeracy Dedicated time students are engaged in rich and meaningful learning experiences.
Data is collected to determine the starting point for instruction. This can involve one on one assessments as well as NAPLAN data, standardised tests, class tasks, informal assessments and teacher judgement.
Science
In the Science Learning Area students learn to investigate, understand and communicate about the physical, biological and technological world. Science helps students become critical thinkers by encouraging them to use evidence to evaluate the use of science in society and the appreciation of science in daily life.
Students at St Lawrence develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability as they learn to use ICT effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems and work collaboratively in all learning areas at school and in their lives beyond school. ICT capability involves students learning to make the most of the digital technologies available to them, adapting to new ways of doing things as technologies evolve and limiting the risks to themselves and others in a digital environment. All students from Pre-Kindy to Year Two have access to iPads, Years 3-6 students have one-to-one iPads.
