Upper Primary
(Year 3 - 6)
The Upper Primary phase of learning consolidates and builds upon the Lower Primary years. Students participate in engaging lessons that expand their interests and maintain their learning momentum. As they become increasingly independent as learners, they also interact more with their knowledge, test their ideas, encounter different points of view, and think in more abstract ways.
We not only guide our Upper Primary students to think more critically about their world, we also help them find ways of making meaningful contributions through a variety of community-focused activities. In Year 6, leadership becomes a highlight. This, along with our spiritual emphasis, service orientation and explicit teaching of the Spirit of IAS manifests in strong emotional intelligence, giving students tools to navigate adolescence and become young people of character.
After Year 6, many of our students go to secondary school at Brisbane Adventist College (BAC), located in Wishart (bus service provided). BAC shares our Christian ethos as well as our teaching and learning strategies. In order to make this high school transition as easy as possible, students are introduced to BAC in their final year at IAS, touring the grounds and classrooms and sharing activities with the teachers and other Year 6 students who will potentially become their classmates.
Supporting Quality Learning
Small class sizes allows us to cultivate a depth of learning, social interaction and level of participation that is not always possible in larger schools. The classroom is learner-centred, with a strong emphasis on individualised planning, small group instruction and opportunities for peer collaboration.
The curriculum is supported by Phonics Workshops, Accelerated Reading and Mathletics, all of which provide very good results and allow us to differentiate the learning for children at different learning stages. Children with learning difficulties are supported by the learning support teacher and classroom teacher. Always finding better ways to meet the needs of our multi-cultural population has given our teachers expertise in helping children with low literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) backgrounds.
Community and Discipline
At IAS, acceptance, kindness and community are highly valued. Bullying is not tolerated and behaviour management is based on Restorative Practices designed to repair relationships that may have been damaged. Our goal is to bring about a sense of remorse and positive action on the part of the instigator and forgiveness on the part of the victim.
Technology and Learning
Under the guidance of their teachers, Upper Primary students discover how to learn, communicate and problem solve in 21st century ways. Interactive whiteboards and mobile computer labs are used where appropriate to complement the curriculum. Students have weekly access to our learning resource centre (library), which is well-stocked with digital tools as well as story books and non-fiction books to enhance learning.
Curriculum
The Upper Primary curriculum is in keeping with the Australian Curriculum. This phase of learning focuses on building competencies in literacy and numeracy, and helping to develop learners that are inquiring, good communicators, knowledgeable, reflective and critical thinkers. The following subjects are taught in Upper Primary:
Encounter (Bible Program)
English
Mathematics
Science
Humanities and Social Sciences: History and Geography
Health and Physical Education
Technologies: Digital Technologies and Design and Technologies
The Arts: Visual Art, Drama, Music and Media Arts.
Distinctively IAS
IAS encourages Upper Primary students to be involved in a wide range of activities that help them develop as a whole person. These include:
NAIDOC Day (celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Open Day twilight stalls and special items
Fun Run
Spirit of IAS program
Prime Time program, music and drama
Christmas Carol’s program
Year 4, 5 & 6 class camp
Community and church programs
Speech competition
ANZAC ceremony
International Food Festival
Community sport days
Parent Communication and Involvement
We encourage parent involvement because strong partnerships between school and home always benefits children. Here are some ways you can be involved:
Provide feedback on your child’s successes or snippets of information that might help us know them better.
Check whether you can help out with class activities and rosters. Your interest in their schooling speaks volumes to your child about how important education is.
Enhance your child’s learning by reading with them every day, including listening to them read to you. Research suggests that just 5 minutes a day can assist in literacy development, a vital skill for every aspect of their schooling.
Reporting
Formal reports on student progress occur three times each year:
- Interim report, mid Term 1
- Mid-year reporting at the end of Semester 1 (Term 2)
- Final year report at the end of Semester 2 (Term 4)
Interviews may be requested at these times or throughout the year by either the parent or teacher.
