English & Maths

English

The development of strong literacy skills is central to the learning and development of all students at Fyans Park Primary School, driven by our whole school goals set in our Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan.

Our literacy program enables our students to be confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens, not only in our school community but also in the global and ever changing world in which we live. Our teachers work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), meeting weekly to plan and deliver differentiated learning opportunities that are grounded by research and tailored to individual needs. 

We believe in providing a comprehensive reading experience that draws on the ‘Big 6 Ideas in Reading’ (Konza, 2014) as part of a structured and integrated literacy approach:

• Oral language – knowing and using spoken words to express knowledge, ideas and emotions.
• Phonemic awareness –which is the knowledge of sounds (phonemes).
• Phonics – knowing the sound (phoneme) and letter (grapheme) relationships.
• Fluency – reading accurately and at an appropriate rate with expression.
• Vocabulary – understanding words in isolation and in context.
• Comprehension – making meaning from text which includes knowledge building and developing knowledge of grammar & knowledge building. 

Our writing instruction is designed to support the development of skilled writers by focusing on the key components of the Writing Rope:

• Critical Thinking: Helping students generate, organise, and refine their ideas. Understanding the writing process: organising, drafting, writing, revising.
• Syntax: Grammar and syntax, sentence structure and punctuation.

• Text Structure: Narrative, informational, opinion structures and organisation, paragraph structure, linking and transition words.

• Writing Craft: Developing students’ voice, understanding of audience and purpose, word choice, and literary devices.

• Transcription: Spelling, handwriting, keyboarding. 

By focusing on these elements, we aim to empower students to become confident, expressive, and effective communicators.

Mathematics

The development of strong numeracy skills is central to the learning and development of all students at Fyans Park Primary School, driven by our whole school goals set in our Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan.

Our teaching and learning programs are designed around the exploration and mastery of the ‘Big Ideas in Mathematics’, providing students with rich and meaningful mathematical experiences. These big ideas are explored through the 6 strands of the Victorian Curriculum:

• Number
• Algebra
• Measurement 
• Space
• Statistics
• Probability

The four proficiencies of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning are fundamental elements of our Mathematics program and are embedded throughout lessons across P-6. Students are supported and encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking to demonstrate understanding of concepts. These proficiencies enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing mathematical knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently using both mental and written strategies. 

Teachers use various assessments to establish the individual needs of all students, and together work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to plan and deliver a range of engaging and authentic learning opportunities. Assessment practices inform teachers of individual student needs and teachers work together to moderate student learning outcomes to ensure consistency in assessment and teaching practices.

Individual Education Plans are developed for students who may require additional support or extension in their learning.