Summary of Special Programs

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Our Wakakirri cast with Phil Cummings, author of "Ride Ricardo Ride," the book on which we based our performance.
Teaching programs at all levels provide for learning within the following areas of curriculum, namely Mathematics, English, the Performing and Visual Arts, Studies of Society and the Environment, Science, Technology, Health and Physical Education.  Japanese is taught as a second language.

Arts 
The Arts have a high focus at Ardtornish Primary School.  Quality arts performances by outside groups are also an integral part of the school program. 

Visual Arts - Students work with various staff to learn more about painting/presenting/producing visual arts pieces.

Pedal Prix - Students enter a state wide competition.

Aerobics, Cheer, Dance and Hip Hop

Science - Ardtornish has a specialist science, design and technology classroom space where students engage in hands on investigations. From activities including exploring the human body to incubating chickens, from chemical experiments to weather observations students learn in an engaging way.

Environmental Education
Environmental Education is valued at Ardtornish Primary School.  The school has a garden area. Recycling, awareness of energy consumption, caring for class gardens are activities adopted by classes. 

Music
Children are exposed to rich and varied musical experiences and often take up opportunities to perform to outside audiences.

Choir - develops singing and performance skills and we participate in the 'Festival of Music' each year. 

Instrumental Music features strongly at Ardtornish Primary School. The school provides the venue and administrative support for students who wish to learn to play a musical instrument.  

School band - This group plays a role in bringing together students with high skills and interest in music.

Physical Co-ordination and Fitness
Aerobics and Dance Teams are very popular programs using aerobic/dance routines to develop and extend selected students in Years 4 - 7 in the areas of fitness and co-ordination.  Team building plays a most important role in this program.  The teams perform at other venues as well as competing at various championships at both state and national levels.

Fun & Games is a program which specifically addresses difficulties with physical co-ordination of some teacher identified students from Reception to Year 2.  The program's main focus is on building student’s confidence and self-esteem by improving their physical co-ordination.

School Sport Teams are dependent on the outstanding assistance of parents. 

The school participates in SAPSASA sport which allows students from Years 5 – 6 to be selected for District Representative Teams and possibly State Representative.

Swimming and Aquatics is a required part of the curriculum. Water confidence and safety lessons, conducted by DECS swimming instructors.  

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
Parents are actively encouraged to discuss and clarify any issues or concerns as they arise.  The school endeavours to provide open communication between home and school.
  • Learning achievement is assessed according to the described learning outcomes for each aspect of the curriculum.  Students are involved in the assessment of their learning.
  • Ongoing reporting of achievement through work samples and test results is encouraged.
  • Formal Parent/Teacher discussions about student progress are held once a year – at the end of term one.  Students often participate in these discussions.  Additional interviews occur as needed. 
  • Formal written reports are provided to parents or carers at the end of Term 2 and at the end of the year.  Additional reports are made when required or requested.
  • Teachers provide information about their learning program through the annual Acquaintance Night Meeting, Class Policy Statement and regular class newsletters, diaries/communication books and student portfolios.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS
All support programs are implemented to reflect the specific needs of students and to support their learning.  Identification of specific learning needs occurs in a consultative manner between school, parents and outside agencies. 
If your child has special needs please ensure the school is well informed in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made in consultation with you.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP
  • The school encourages students to participate in decision making and develop leadership skills.  This is done through class meetings and various student groups.
  • The Student Representative Council is the main student decision making group.  Members are elected from each class by students to speak for their class and the other students in the school.  Meetings are held weekly.  The SRC liaise between staff, parents and students, encourage pride in the school, and are good role models for other students. SRC provides excellent training in meeting structure and protocols.
  • The school has a buddy class system that supports children’s continuity of learning R-7
  • We connections with the local Kiwanis group who support our Terrific Kids Program.