Learning

English

The NSW English K-6 syllabus outlines the curriculum for teaching English to students in kindergarten through Year 6. It focuses on developing students' skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

The syllabus emphasises the importance of engaging with a variety of texts, fostering critical thinking, and promoting creativity. It aims to build students' literacy skills through structured learning experiences and assessment, ensuring they can communicate effectively and understand different perspectives.

Teaching and learning in English is guided by the NSW syllabus.

At Gundaroo Public School we are committed to ensuring our students have a strong foundation in literacy. This begins in Kindergarten with an explicit focus on phonological awareness and phonics, together with oral language to ensure our students have the foundational skills they need to build on as they move through primary school.

We have a whole school approach to all aspects of literacy, and our staff engage in ongoing professional learning to continue to enhance their knowledge and skills in the teaching and learning of literacy.

Strong practices are in place to ensure early identification of students requiring support and we work with families and external partners to embed this support.

Mathematics

Mathematics K–10 outcomes and their related content are organised in:

• Number and algebra
• Measurement and space
• Statistics and probability

Working mathematically

The Working mathematically processes present in the Mathematics K–10 syllabus are:

• communicating
• understanding and fluency
• reasoning
• problem solving.

Students learn to work mathematically by using these processes in an interconnected way. The coordinated development of these processes results in students becoming mathematically proficient.

At Gundaroo Public School, we use the NSW syllabus for planning, teaching and assessment.

Science and Technology

The aim of the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus is for students to develop:

• scientific and technological knowledge, skills, practices and dispositions

• an understanding of natural phenomena and ways in which science and technologies can be used for the benefit of humanity and the planet

• an understanding, through application, of the processes that can be used to create solutions or products that benefit society

• an interest to further their knowledge in science, technology and engineering

• the ability to participate in society as scientifically and technologically literate, engaged citizens.

Teachers use hands-on activities, digital resources, and real-world contexts to engage students, supporting differentiated learning and continuous assessment. This approach prepares students to navigate and contribute confidently to an increasingly digital and scientific world.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) equips students with the knowledge and skills to positively influence their own and others’ safety, health and wellbeing. In an increasingly complex, sedentary and rapidly changing world, it is essential that young people develop the ability to critically respond to changing health contexts and evolving physical activity options.

Engaging in a range of activities also assists our students in finding the physical activity that ignites their passion. Each term our students engage in sporting clinics to try new sports.

In our active school, sneakers are a part of our school uniform.

Each year we have our whole school sports carnivals including Swimming Carnival, Cross Country Carnival and Athletics Carnival with representatives going on to compete at the District Carnivals. Our sports carnivals promote teamwork, resilience and empathy alongside the sporting skills students are developing.

PDHPE is organised under four focus areas;

• Movement skill and physical activity

• Respectful relationships and safety
• Identity, health and wellbeing
• Self-management and interpersonal skills

Creative Arts

In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts where they learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform.

Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.

Our students engage in a range of creative arts activities as part of the syllabus supporting their development of skills and knowledge in;

• Dance
• Drama
• Visual Arts
• Music

In addition to this, there are many additional activities available for our students including;

Queanbeyan Performing Arts Festival

Students in Years 3-6 have the opportunity to participate in the annual Queanbeyan District Arts Festival. This event provides a unique performance opportunity for students to showcase their skills.

Music Bus

Gundaroo Public School has the Music Bus visit weekly. The mobile music classroom offers lessons in keyboard, guitar, singing and drums.

For more information visit The Music Bus

Footsteps

Footsteps specialises in curriculum, age-based movement programs for Foundation/Year 0 to Year 12 students. We deliver engaging and relevant dance and drama programs which have been developed around the National Curriculum's of Australia and New Zealand. Our programs develop students' social skills, confidence, fitness levels, creativity, expressive skills and coordination, ensuring we provide a safe, positive and stimulating environment for all students!

Amplify

Amplify is an online music program that uses modern music to deliver engaging music lessons.

HSIE

Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) incorporates the study of people, places and environments, as well as how people and events from the past have shaped societies over time. Through the foundational knowledge, understanding and skills of geography and history, HSIE introduces students to the complex interconnections between people and places, past and present so they can become active, confident, engaged and valued members of Australia’s diverse community.

Students explore topics such as community, culture, environment, and change through hands-on activities, research, and discussion. Teachers use diverse resources to support differentiated learning, promoting respect for cultural diversity and sustainability. This approach helps students build knowledge, skills, and values to become informed, responsible citizens who can contribute positively to society.

A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:

• research, gather and analyse information
• question and make judgements
• write for a variety of purposes.