Curriculum

Learning & Teaching Overview

 

At St Francis of Assisi, our teaching is guided by the Science of Learning – an approach grounded in cognitive science. Here are the core principles we use to help your child learn best:

Evidence-Based Teaching:

  • Explicit instruction: Teachers deliver clear, structured lessons that focus on key concepts.
  • Cognitive load management: Lessons are streamlined—fewer distractions, bite-sized information—to help students absorb and remember.
  • Daily review & spaced practice: Key ideas are revisited regularly to move learning into long-term memory.  

Structured Routines & Participation:

  • Consistent class routines free up brain space for learning.
  • Active engagement strategies such as choral responses, mini-whiteboards and non-volunteers to ensure all students are involved.  

From Novice to Expert:

  • We begin with foundational skills (like decoding in reading), then gradually build toward deeper understanding and independent thinking.
  • Teachers use scaffolding which is support that’s slowly removed as children become confident. 

Through classroom teaching and our dedicated specialist program, we cover the Learning Areas and Capabilities set out in the Victorian Curriculum 2.0

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Humanities – History, Geography, Civics & Citizenship and Economics & Business
  • Science
  • Technologies – Design and Digital
  • The Arts – Visual Arts, Media Arts, Dance, Drama, Music
  • Languages – Italian (P-6) and Japanese (5-6)
  • Capabilities – Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural and Personal and Social Capability

English

At St Francis of Assisi, English is at the heart of all learning. Through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, students build the skills they need to communicate confidently, think critically, and express themselves clearly.

We follow the Victorian Curriculum (Version 2.0) and apply teaching practices based on how students learn best – using evidence-informed, structured, and engaging approaches.

What English Learning Looks Like at Our School:

  • A daily two-hour Literacy Block from Prep to Year 6
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening are taught explicitly every day
  • InitiaLit Phonics Program for students in Prep to Year 2
  • Novel study units each term in Years 3 to 6 to build fluency, vocabulary comprehension and knowledge of our world
  • Purposeful and structured writing using strategies from ‘The Writing Revolution’ that aims to improve students’ writing skills by focusing on the fundamentals of writing – working from sentence level composition to paragraph level 
  • Oral language activities that help students speak with confidence and listen actively

Supporting Every Learner

We believe every child can grow in literacy. We use ongoing assessment to track student progress and tailor support as needed:

  • Small group teaching to target specific learning goals
  • Reading intervention (MiniLit and MacqLit)
  • Additional support and extension for students who need it
  • Inclusive practices for students with English as an Additional Language or learning needs

How We Monitor Progress

Teachers regularly assess and track learning using:

  • Observations and classroom tasks
  • Writing samples and reading tests
  • Standardised assessments (e.g., PAT, NAPLAN, TORCH)

We work in partnership with families and report on student progress in English through formal reports and regular communication.

Working Together

We encourage families to be involved in their child’s literacy journey. Supporting regular reading at home and engaging with school initiatives can make a real difference.

Mathematics

We believe the study of Mathematics is fundamental in ensuring that students are provided with the necessary skills to actively and capably participate in society. Mathematics at St Francis of Assisi provides students with the essential skills and knowledge in Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics & Probability. Our Mathematics program is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 documentation.

Mathematics aims to ensure that students:

  • are confident, creative users and communicators of mathematics.
  • are able to confidently access knowledge of basic mathematical facts and concepts.
  • are able to investigate, analyse, represent and interpret situations in their personal and work lives.
  • are able to pose and solve problems.
  • appreciate Mathematics as an accessible learning area to study.
  • are engaged in a structured 1 hour Mathematics lesson daily.
  • participate in daily reviews aimed at neural connections, develop expertise and support short and long term retention of content.
  • use a growth mindset to solve challenging real life mathematical problems.

Religious Education

Religious Education at St Francis of Assisi School forms part of a life long process of religious formation, which helps students develop into people who reflect the image of God, our Creator. We aim to reflect the life of Christ in all aspects of the school, so that young people can experience the values of a Christian community based on love, compassion and justice.

At St. Francis of Assisi, we offer a structured program of learning that introduces children to the Catholic-Christian tradition. We use our school’s Vision, Learning Centered Schools and the Sacred Landscape model developed by the Archdiocese of Melbourne, to guide us.

In addition to this, we provide opportunities for involvement in class masses, school masses, prayer liturgies, meditation, sacramental programs and workshops as well as religious leadership by our students.

We promote the values of a Christian community across our curriculum. We work in partnership with parish priests, parish community and parents to enrich our student’s religious education experiences to carry forward the mission of Jesus Christ and our patron saint, St Francis of Assisi.

Inquiry Learning

At St Francis of Assisi, Inquiry is where students explore the world around them through a wide range of curriculum areas. This includes History, Geography, Science, Health, Civics and Citizenship, Design Technologies, Economics and Business, and the Capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural and Personal and Social).

Our Inquiry units are designed to build knowledge, spark curiosity, and help students make meaningful connections across subjects and everyday life. Students in Year 3-6 engage in novel study units each term that align literacy learning with inquiry content knowledge. 

What Inquiry Learning Looks Like

Through carefully planned units, students:

  • Develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflection
  • Learn to work creatively and collaboratively
  • Use digital technologies in safe and responsible ways
  • Explore topics that are relevant to their lives and the world around them
  • Set goals, reflect on their progress, and take ownership of their learning
  • Build relationships within the classroom, the school, and the wider community

     

Each term, students investigate big ideas that challenge them to think deeply and learn across multiple curriculum areas. Teachers provide clear instruction, guide student thinking, and offer regular feedback to support learning growth.

Our Goal

We aim to help students become confident, informed, and compassionate individuals equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s world and shape a better future.

Reach for the Stars: Extension and Enrichment Program

At St. Francis of Assisi School, we are committed to supporting the diverse learning needs of all students, including those who demonstrate high academic ability and potential. Primarily this happens within our classrooms where our highly experienced teaching staff are best placed to support, guide and extend our students. In addition to this, Our Reach for the Stars program offers tailored opportunities for gifted and talented students to advance their strengths, explore their interests, and reach their full potential in a supportive and challenging environment.

  • Gifted Students: Students with advanced cognitive development who exhibit exceptional ability and potential.
  • Talented Students: Students who demonstrate superior performance in one or more specific areas, such as academics, the arts, or leadership.

The Reach for the Stars: Extension and Enrichment Program aims to:

  • Provide a variety of opportunities for high-achieving students.
  • Implement teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning needs.
  • Encourage participation in school-wide and external programs to help students realise their potential.
  • Support staff with professional development to better meet the needs of gifted and talented students.

Our programs focus on:

  • Building social connections with like-minded peers.
  • Encouraging intellectual challenge and the pursuit of excellence.
  • Developing higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Engaging in in-depth investigations of real-world problems.
  • Offering open-ended activities with opportunities for choice and creativity.
  • Working at each student’s individual pace.
  • Promoting self-reflection and peer evaluation.

Selected students participate in extension programs led by a specialist teacher or LSO as well as being offered extension opportunities within the current classroom program.

Students are selected  by teachers or school leaders based on assessment data and observed abilities. Additional testing may be conducted to ensure students are appropriately placed in the programs or activities.

Some of the programs and activities we run include:

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools – ICAS (Years 3-6)

Students can participate in skills-based assessments in areas like English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing, receiving recognition for their achievements.

Maths Explorers Program (Years 3 & 4)

Maths Explorers allows students in Years 3 and 4 to collaborate with their peers and work together to make decisions about the way they explore and learn in maths and solve complex mathematical problems.

Debating Association of Victoria – DAV (Years 5 & 6)

Students develop public speaking and critical thinking skills while competing with peers in structured debates.

Maths Olympiad

An exciting program designed to introduce advanced mathematical concepts, encourage creative problem-solving, and stimulate a love of mathematics.

We look forward to helping our students Reach for the Stars!