English and Maths

English

The English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Together the strands focus on;

• understanding skills in:
• • listening and speaking
  • reading and viewing
  • writing and creating

Listen, Read and Interpret

Students listen to, read, view and interpret spoken, written and multimodal texts in which the primary purpose is aesthetic, as well as texts designed to inform and persuade. These encompass traditional oral texts including Aboriginal stories, picture books, various types of print and digital texts, simple chapter books, rhyming verse, poetry, non-fiction, film, multimodal texts, dramatic performances, and texts used by students as models for constructing their own work.

Literacy

At Bakewell primary School, we follow the Science of Reading approach to teaching Literacy, a research-based approach that supports students to become confident and capable readers and writers.

Our daily literacy instruction includes a Daily Review to strengthen memory and deepen understanding by revisiting key concepts and vocabulary from previous lessons. We teach Systematic Synthetic Phonics (Transition – Year 2), helping students make strong connections between letters and sounds. Through explicit instruction in Morphology (Years 3-6), students learn how word parts (like prefixes, suffixes, and root words) support both decoding and comprehension.

We build Fluency by guiding students to read with accuracy, speed, and expression, while Language Comprehension is developed using rich, age-appropriate texts that challenge and engage learners. A strong focus on Vocabulary further enhances students’ understanding of the texts they read.

Our approach also includes explicit teaching of Writing, helping students to clearly express their ideas and develop effective communication skills.

Maths

At Bakewell Primary School, mathematics is a tool and a way of thinking that can be used to address problems in the real world. Students develop a deep understanding of the four key mathematical proficiencies (Fluency, Problem Solving, Understanding and Reasoning) that underpin numeracy. Teachers support students to develop numeracy capabilities which are pivotal tools that they require in their personal, work and civic life, and provides the fundamentals on which mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics are built.

Bakewell Primary School implemented a Maths Pedagogical Framework in 2018 which encompasses evidence based practices of Explicit Instruction. Teachers deliver high quality teaching and learning numeracy programs through either small ability groups or through rich and engaging whole class tasks. Numeracy concepts are explicitly taught using the pedagogy and philosophy of Meaningful Maths (M2). Meaningful Maths provides teachers with the appropriate knowledge and skills to successfully improve the outcomes of all students in Mathematics.

Maths Warm ups are implemented across all year levels and are facilitated at the beginning of all numeracy lessons. Warm ups are used to activate thinking, address any gaps, consolidate learning and prepare students for concepts that are going to be taught. They focus on number knowledge which is fundamental to the three strands in Maths (Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability).

Student engagement with the Maths curriculum is enhanced through the use of iPads. The incorporation of this technology ensures all students are challenged and motivated through tailored programs that encourage students to create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems, work collaboratively and develop 21^st Century learning skills.