Learning Areas

Literacy

We believe that a love for reading begins with a rich and diverse literary experience. Our dynamic reading approach integrates

shared reading, independent reading, and read-aloud sessions to foster a lifelong passion for books while encouraging authentic,

personal responses to literature. Our well-stocked classroom libraries provide a wealth of books that cater to varied interests

and reading levels, supporting students in selecting texts that are engaging. Additionally, we emphasise the development of essential comprehension and decoding strategies, equipping students with the tools they need to navigate texts confidently and thoughtfully.

This comprehensive approach ensures that every student is motivated, challenged, and supported in their reading journey. Our exceptional NAPLAN results are a testament to the high quality and success of our reading approach here at Whitehorse.

Our writing program is designed to ignite creativity and expand students' vocabulary through a dynamic and engaging curriculum. We immerse students in rich and varied texts, including mentor texts and author studies, to explore diverse writing styles and techniques. By analysing the work of accomplished authors, students gain valuable insights that guide their own writing. Our approach emphasises writing with an authentic purpose and audience, encouraging each student to find and develop their unique voice. We aim for every child to be inspired to express their ideas confidently and creatively, preparing them to become skilled and passionate writers.

Our explicit spelling instruction builds a strong foundation, focusing on phonics in the junior years and exploring key spelling

knowledge areas as students progress. Students learn effective communication by sharing ideas, listening, and engaging in activities like Readers Theatre and public speaking. This enhances their articulation, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue skills. 

Numeracy

At Whitehorse Primary School, we believe that all students can learn mathematics to a high level. Our maths program aims to:

- be child centred

- include engaging, hands-on learning

- foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and problem solving skills

- use best practice teaching (High Impact Teaching

Strategies)

- focus on the “Big Ideas’ of mathematics to develop a deep, well-connected understanding of mathematical

concepts. The ‘Big Ideas’ are fundamental concepts that underpin all areas of maths.

Numeracy provides students with access to important mathematical ideas, knowledge and skills that they will

draw on in their personal and work lives. The Mathematics curriculum focuses on developing increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, reasoning and problem-solving. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing mathematics to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.

At Whitehorse Primary School, our students develop these skills and qualities by engaging in rich, authentic and challenging tasks. Our students can see the relevance of their mathematical learning to their own life experiences. Our students work collaboratively to solve mathematical problems and are provided with open-ended tasks that can extend their understandings.

Importantly, we aim to instil confidence and enthusiasm for learning maths in our students through our engaging and relevant curriculum.

Questacon Maths Centre

Whitehorse Primary School has a long and proud association with Questacon, having hosted an original Maths Centre (at one of our founding schools, Nunawading Primary School) in 1993. Questacon is Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre and is based in Canberra.

Children attend our accredited Questacon Maths Centre on a weekly basis and participate in critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving. The Centre has a large range of puzzles, tasks and activities, covering areas such as:

• Logic
• Number
• Measurement
• Space

Kitchen Garden Program

Whitehorse Primary offers the students from Grade 3 to 6 the opportunity to be part of the extraordinary Stephanie Alexander

Kitchen Garden Program. The experience of being part of the Kitchen Garden Program enables students to bring key curriculum

knowledge and skills to life!

Students apply and enhance their Maths, Science,Reading and collaboration through authentic learning opportunities. The aim of the Kitchen Garden program is to engage and educate young students in growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing delicious food in the belief that these skills and understandings are essential to the development of life-long joyful and healthy eating habits. Our program is the second longest running Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program in Australia and was the first established in a primary school.

Integrated Studies

Our students are engaged through the study of a variety of topics throughout their schooling. Students tend to explore a new topic each term, which combines many areas of learning such as History, SOSE, Sustainability, Ethics, and STEM.