Other aspects of Junior School life
Assessment and reporting
In the Junior School, assessment is done continually in order to maximize student's learning. Staff observe and assess their students in a variety of learning situations. A thorough assessment schedule ensures that all students’ progress is well documented and maintained. Portfolios of students' work are kept and there are opportunities for Parent/Teacher meetings to share and discuss each student's progress. Formal written reports are distributed at the end of each semester (Term Two and Term Four), however parents are encouraged to discuss concerns with their child’s class teacher throughout the year. At The Knox School, communication between home and school is considered invaluable.
Library Skills
All students from Pre-Prep to Year Four participate in a Library lesson each week. At this time students are taught to become more familiar with the Library and its workings, as well as having an opportunity to borrow Library books for reading, pleasure or for research. The program also aims to develop a love of literature and reading as well ensuring the development of appropriate skills, necessary to maximize student’s use of the Library.
Outdoor Education
The ‘Outdoor Education’ program begins in Year Two with the students having an overnight stay at Scienceworks. This is often the first sleep-over many children have had away from family and the experience has always been a positive and exciting one. Year Three and Year Four Camps are an important part of the School's Outdoor Education program. Year Three students attend a three-day, two-night camp, which provides an introduction to Outdoor Education and furthers studies in Science and SOSE. Year Four students participate in a three day Environmental Camp related to their Integrated Studies topic.
Pastoral Care
The social and emotional development of each student is closely monitored,
and the co-education ratio is carefully managed. The School's comprehensive
Student Services Unit includes a School Counsellor, School Nurse, Assisted
and Accelerated Learning Teachers (special education) and Aides, a Pastoral
Care Coordinator as well as the Heads of each School. Our student's growth
and development involves open discussion and a proactive approach to social
skills. The school has adopted the sequential 'Program Achieve' to encourage
positive social behaviours.
Playgrounds
The Junior School playground is a safe and secure environment with a variety of equipment to encourage running, climbing and creating. The children in Prep and Year One have their own specifically designed play area, with equipment appropriate for their needs. Children from Year Two to Year Four have access to play areas where they enjoy group games such as cricket, football, netball or basketball. Both play areas are supervised by teachers at all times. The school practises a SunSmart policy and on days of extreme heat or on wet days, activities are supervised indoors.
Clubs (Prep to Year 4)
After School and Lunchtime Clubs cater for a wide range of interests including Computer, Art, Library, Dance Sport, Chess and recreational activities such as Tennis and Soccer.
Individualised Learning
Our lower student-teacher ratio means greater individual attention for
your child during the foundation years of schooling. On-going assessment
is essential to monitor progress and foster the development of each individual
child. We measure our students' progress through the use of class, standardised,
diagnostic and NAPLAN testing. At The Knox School we believe in a ‘differentiated
curriculum’ – that is where individual learning needs are met. Teachers
are able to cater for these needs by means of individual learning programs,
adjusting the curriculum content, grouping students with similar needs
or interests as well as providing a wide range of
open-ended tasks.
Junior
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