Teaching & Learning

High expectations, sound teacher knowledge, fun activities and explicit teaching of skills are paramount in our Literacy progam.
At Buninyong Primary School, we have high expectations that all students will reach their full potential. We understand that Literacy learning is developmental and we use oral language as a foundation (for clarifying and reasoning) for all learning in Literacy. At BPS we want our children to engage in, and be enthusiastic towards Literacy and we encourage all students to capitalise on their personal interests for both reading and writing, whilst also branching them into other areas which may interest them.

Because of the strong links between speaking, listening, reading and writing, students are encouraged to read like a writer, read real texts by real authors, and write texts for a known audience with a clear understanding of the purpose. We believe oral language provides the opportunity to clarify thinking prior to reading and writing. As readers, writers, spellers, speaker and listeners, students should always be encouraged to build on their prior knowledge to explore new possibilities.
Our teachers plan modeled, shared, guided, interactive, reciprocal and independent lessons which incorporate the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model and student interests. Our teachers also understand that the classroom environment must foster and motivate a student’s literacy learning and regularly provide these opportunities through visual displays, a variety of texts to read (both electronic and hard copy) and experiences where students can explore and develop interests as readers and writers.

We believe that the teacher should always know the existing prior knowledge of their class according to the Developmental Continuum in order to identify and plan personal, group and class learning goals.For those children who may find it difficult to find the links that exist between speaking, listening, reading and writing we offer two remedial programs, MiniLit and MultiLit.

At Buninyong Primary School we have a whole school, coordinated approach which sets high expectations for all of our students in numeracy.
Our aim is for each child to acquire mathematical skills and knowledge within a practical, working mathematically framework. We aim to provide opportunities for our students to become numerate whilst gaining an appreciation and enjoyment of mathematics.

Our approach to the teaching of mathematics centres on engaging our students across all areas of the AusVels curriculum. We value and promote the use of ICT within our mathematical classrooms, as well as hands on (authentic learning) and teacher modelling of explicit mathematical strategies.
Our teachers assess and monitor student achievement throughout the year in order to identify each student’s needs in Mathematics; allowing the teacher to plan for future instruction and to support their students to set learning goals. Students who require extra support with their learning are catered for through our Maths Intervention Program Quicksmart.

Regular extension opportunities are provided to students through our partnerships with a local secondary school and the Mathematicians in Schools Program.

Japanese

At Buninyong Primary School, all students actively participate in learning Japanese. The program offers a mixture of learning about Japanese culture and language with opportunities for the students to speak, read and write the Japanese language. The students are exposed to cultural festivals and are immersed in a classroom filled with Japanese artefacts.

Music

Students are encouraged to work cooperatively and to incorporate the school values of optimism, commitment, respect, compassion and honesty in all of their music lessons.

The Music Program at Buninyong Primary School strives to give students a greater understanding and appreciation of music through singing, movement and performing. Students learn to read and write basic notation, explore different genres of music and importantly play a variety of instruments. Buninyong has a Junior and Senior Choir that performs at assemblies and outside the school and we have instrumental teachers for guitar, keyboard, drums and trumpet.
The Buninyong Primary Choir meets weekly and often performs at assemblies with opportunities to sing outside of the school throughout the year.

In Term 3 the Grade four students hold the Story of Buninyong, an indigenous studies and local history project which culminates in a public performance. The school rock band and choir perform songs written specifically for the project while the Grade 4’s sing and dance their way through the story.

Physical Education

Buninyong Primary School has a rich tradition as a leader in technology, not only within our region but also statewide. Buninyong is well-resourced and technology available to students includes:

• 7 iPads in each of the grade Prep-4 classrooms
• Grade 4, 5 & 6 students are part of our BYOD iPad program
• Each of our classrooms has an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) or TV with Apple TV connectivity
• Video conferencing technology (Polycom) allowing us to communicate with students and teachers from around the globe.

Our staff are well-trained in utilising the latest learning technologies in the classroom and are encouraged to be leaders of technology in their planning, delivery and assessment of curriculum.

To find out more, please read one of the sections below.

Our ICT areas:

eLearning Vision
iPads @ Buninyong
Cybersafety
Apps to Assist Learning
Digital Film and Animation
Digital Student Resource