Our School

Inquiry Learning in the classroom involves students investigating shared topics or questions over several weeks. These units often provide a valuable context for teaching a wide range of literacy skills and processes, as well as developing understandings about the world. Inquiry learning emphasises not just academic learning but also skill based learning such as thinking strategies, personal and interpersonal learning, the use of graphic organisers to structure learning and the use of technology as a means of processing and recording learning.

Inquiry Learning Units are tailored to the interests and experiences of the students, with guidelines set by the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. Units are derived from the areas of Identity, Citizenship, Social Responsibility, Environmental Sustainability and Science and Technology. In all Inquiry units, teachers encourage students to think beyond the facts and connect factual knowledge to ideas of conceptual significance, so they can find relevance and personal meaning.

Sample topics include ancient civilizations, markets and selling, learning about ourselves. Click on student space to see more examples of our inquiry learning.

Literacy is a core subject area at Elsternwick Primary School. In Prep to Year four, two hours a day is devoted to literacy teaching, one hour being a Readers' Workshop and the other hour being a Writers' Workshop. In Reader's Workshops small groups of children work with a teacher using a strategy known as guided reading or reciprocal teaching. Emphasis is placed on the teaching of reading strategies and the skills required for enhanced comprehension.

Each session begins with the class as a group, focusing for example on a particular reading strategy. Small groups are then formed, where students work on activities that meet their individual needs. The session then ends with a whole class discussion where children are encouraged to talk about what they have learned during the session.

The Writers' Workshops follow a similar format.

Elsternwick Primary School recognises the fundamental importance of learning core numeracy skills in primary school. The curriculum aims to:

• Develop a positive attitude towards mathematics
• Enable children to see the relevance of maths in everyday life
• Use concrete materials to help them learn how to solve problems
• Provide skills in interpreting and solving real-life problems
• Develop confidence and independence in all aspects of mathematics

Students will develop a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts and computations in Number, Measurement, Space, Chance & Data and Reasoning Strategies.

Currently Elsternwick Primary School operates a number of specialist programs. These include: Visual Arts, Performing Arts (Music), Physical Education and LOTE (Mandarin). All students undertake weekly classes in these subject areas. Children in all years will be studying Mandarin, with an emphasis on the later years 3-6. In addition, we provide special needs assistance in the form of Reading Recovery for year 1 students and additional assistance in both Literacy and Numeracy for year 3-4 students. A Literacy support program called Bridges operates for Year 5-6 students. Outside operators also offer specialist physical education programs.

Music at Elsternwick Primary School

“ Music is the universal language of mankind ” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Music – Teacher : Naomi Elias

Music at Elsternwick Primary School is a steadily evolving program that provides a platform for students to connect, express ideas, achieve and grow within the performing arts arena.

The Music curriculum encompasses different musical approaches / theories including the Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk methods which both cover topics including beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, singing and movement. Dance and drama are also explored.

Students attend one hour of music per week and are given the opportunity to perform for their peers in class and at school assemblies. This allows students to strengthen their confidence, creativity and appreciation of music and the performing arts.

Whole year level performances are scheduled throughout the year and a Senior School Musical / Christmas Concert are held on alternating years. Click here for school song and information on student work

Performance Groups

The Grade 3/4 Choir consists of 40+ students. The choir rehearses once a week at lunchtime and performs regularly throughout the year at assemblies and special events including the Mother's Day Breakfast, Bloke's Breakfast and Christmas Concert (bi-annual concert). Click here for videos and photos of choir

The Grade 5/6 Percussion Ensemble is a new project for 2009 and has proven to be a great success. Consisting of approximately 15 senior students, the ensemble – who rehearses once a week – create and perform original, exciting and contemporary percussion pieces based on Brazilian samba and African drumming music. Instruments used include djembes, congas, bongos, claves, maracas, tone blocks and whistles.
Click here for videos and photos of percussion ensemble

Red Notes Musical Services – Director : Michael Redman

Students also have the opportunity to enrol into private and group instrumental lessons run by Red Notes Musical Services. Red Notes Musical is a program taught by highly specialised and experienced teachers who understand the importance and benefits of musical education.

A range of instruments are on offer including flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, guitar, euphonium, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin and keyboard.

At present Red Notes also run a String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and Brass / Woodwind Band. These groups, plus instrumental soloists, recently featured at the Red Notes Recital held in August 2009.
Click here for more information and photos from the Red Notes Recital

Homework is a valuable educational experience providing a link between home and school, fostering lifelong learning and study habits, and providing an opportunity for students to be responsible for their own learning.

Homework at the Prep to Year 2 levels focuses mainly on home reading. Years 3 to 6 are assigned homework aligned to the curriculum in addition to home reading.

As per State guidelines, one written report is prepared in June and a second in December with due dates included on annual calendars.

Elsternwick Primary School has just undergone a major renovation of the school facilities. These new facilities are specifically designed to enhance learning opportunities and create a positive and enjoyable learning environment for the children.

The strength of Elsternwick Primary School is its community - our students, teachers, parents and friends. Everyone is encouraged to work together and be involved for the benefit of the students. The many aspects of the Elsternwick Primary School community provide ample opportunities for parents who wish to be involved in their children's education. The EPS School Council is responsible for the overall management of the school. It delegates the daily running of the school to the Principal and Vice Principal. School Council comprises appointed teachers, community members and elected parents. The monthly meetings are open and interested parents are always encouraged to attend. There are a number of sub-committees of School Council which are chaired by members of the Council but generally include non-Council members.

The Parents' Association is a vital link between the school administration and the parent body. Issues of concern can be raised with the Parents' Association and they will be directed in a timely manner to the appropriate person. The Parents' Association is also responsible for social activities and fund raising. Regular events on the calendar include a Bush Dance, Mothers' Day Lunch and concert, Blokes Breakfast, walkathon, gala evening event and much more. The Parents' Association comprises an executive group and class representatives. The class reps organize informal social functions for their class providing opportunities for parents to meet.

Good communication is vital within any community. Elsternwick Primary School produces a detailed fortnightly newsletter, with a shorter bulletin in the alternate weeks (Click here for the current newsletter). Parent Information Sessions are held at the beginning of each year and throughout the year as the need arises. Teaching teams also produce regular updates of the students' curriculum for the various year levels. Parents are encouraged to meet and talk with their child's teacher and email contacts are provided.

Parents also have the opportunity to help out in the classroom in the early years, assisting with reading, mathematics or other activities. A classroom helpers training course is held at the beginning of each to help train for these tasks.

Elsternwick Primary School arranges and hosts parent information seminars a few times each year on topics of interest to the parents and school community. Recent topics have included 'Building Resilience' and 'Learning Maths'.

Elsternwick Primary School recognises that a healthy body and healthy mind is fundamental to a child's learning. A student's ability to thrive depends on many factors, and our Healthy Body Healthy Mind program supports students' academic endeavours as well as their social and physical wellbeing.

The program includes:

Healthy snack policy: Children are encouraged to eat fruit or a healthy snack in the classroom between 10am and 11am, instead of waiting until morning recess when energy levels may be low. A further brain food snack is also encouraged at 12:30pm.

Desk water bottle: As fresh water has been shown to enhance brain function, students are encouraged to keep a water bottle on their desk during the day. Students also learn to enjoy water as opposed to other flavoured products.

Lunch orders: Whilst Elsternwick Primary School does not have a canteen, twice a week students can order a healthy lunch or snack from an external provider. Lunch orders are available Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. Please write your order clearly on an envelope and enclose correct money.

	write lunch order clearly on an envelope and enclose correct money as no change will be given
	alternatively you can place your lunch order online

300K program: For many years the Elsternwick Primary School student body has walked or run around the school perimeter each Friday morning (1 lap equals .5km). The object being that by Grade 6 each student will have walked at least 300km. Certificates and trophies for various milestones are awarded at each Friday assembly. The students love the program and are very proud whenever recognized for their achievements.

Agility circuit: Many classes break the learning blocks with the completion of a round of the 'Agility Circuit'. As well as running a little energy off, the students settle down to their lessons more easily and can focus on the work at hand.

Walking School Bus: Elsternwick Primary School is renowned for this program which is one of the largest in Australia and includes many access routes from both sides of the Nepean Highway.

Bike shed: Students also have the opportunity to ride or scooter to school. There is a secure daytime storage shed.

Camp program: From Grade 3 students participate in a camping program with the number of nights away progressively increasing up to Grade 6. The students love the activities as well as learning to get along with their peers and teachers in a different environment. Information sessions are always organised beforehand to allay any parent anxieties.

Swimming: An intensive swimming program is operated by the school for all students in Prep to Year Six. Swimming takes place every day for a period of two weeks. Years 3 to 6 students undertake their program in first term of each year and students in Prep to Year 2 undertake their program in term 4 of each year.

Instrumental Music Program

An instrumental music program is operated by the school and Red Notes Music Tuition. Music tuition is offered in the following instruments:

Chess

A chess club program is operated by Chess Kids in the hall on a Monday morning at 8am. For more information visit http://chesskids.com.au

Active After School Communities

A Kelly Sports program operates at our school at various times. For more information contact 0432 832 466.

The Buddy Program

Our new Preps are given a buddy from Year Four from the beginning of the year. This relationship is fostered throughout the year with numerous activities and informal get togethers. The buddy from Year Four acts as a supportive older role model and can be utilised both in and outside of the classroom. The Buddy Program ranges from structured activities in the classroom to eating lunch together on a regular basis.

Prep Orientation

Prep orientation at Elsternwick Primary School consists of four transition mornings where the new students come to the school, are grouped and have a one hour session in a classroom. They then continue this the following week in a different room with a different teacher. This allows the students to become familiar with the teachers and new surroundings. During that time parents are encouraged to stay in the hall and enjoy a cup of coffee. These mornings consist of developmental play and usually one activity to develop fine motor skills or literacy and numeracy skills. After the completion of the four transition mornings we have our final orientation day where the new students are put into their class groupings for the following year and spend the morning in their new classroom. During that time parents are given a brief overview of the Prep year and also presentations from a range of community links within the school.

The Out of School Hours Program (OSHS) is operated by Quality Junior After School Care. The Program runs from the 'Cottage' and has a before and after hours care program as well as a holiday program. Parents deal directly with OSHS and OSHS reports to council monthly. For more information visit http://www.qjp.com.au

For bookings call : 0423 200 598
For account queries call: 9543 3077