Teaching & Learning

We offer a contemporary evidence-based pedagogy to teaching and learning the Australian Curriculum. Along with a focus on virtues and mission, and explicit teaching of social emotional skills and environmental sustainability, our students are provided with the tools to help them live responsibly in our world and respectfully with each other. We use:

  • Explicit teaching of mathematical concepts, incorporating daily review, with investigation and problem solving to promote working mathematically.
  • Literacy blocks with a focus on building explicit skills using phonics through the 'Sounds Write' program, with a range of decodable readers and rich literature; Spelling Mastery (Years 3-6); writing skills incorporating the Hochman Method (The Writing Revolution) and opportunities to write for authentic purposes with our class inquiries; oral language and vocabularly skills with purpose and performance opportunties.
  • The Canberra and Goulburn Religious Education Curriculum.
  • An inquiry model to explore big ideas and learning in Science, HASS, Arts, Technology and H&PE.
  • Italian to teach the Languages Curriculum.
  • The language of Learning Assets, modelled on Kath Murdoch’s research, to help students to learn about ‘how they learn’.
students playing
students reading

Specialist Teachers

At Sacred Heart we have specialist teachers supporting the curriculum in:

  • Italian
  • Music
  • Library
  • STEAM

We have an experienced Learning Support and EAL/D team working with teachers daily. We have regular visiting coaches for sports including: tennis, gymnastics, dance and sporting school's affiliations.

Learning with Electronic Devices BYOD

Sacred Heart is committed to providing high quality education which reflects 21st Century learning and that meets the ICT requirements of the Australian Curriculum. Therefore, we provide students with purposeful access to ICT that increases their participation, engagement and achievement in education.

We have a wide range of equipment to support learning in each classroom. Our students from Year 3 to 6 also participate in Sacred Heart BYOD program. Students bring their own iPad to school, or access one from the school, to use as an extra tool in their learning. 

We make explicit the responsibilities of being a 'digital citizen', with support from experts programs, including Think U Know and Kenny Koala.

Catering for Individual Needs

students working

All classroom programs are differentiated to cater for a range of abilities and styles. Our teams of teachers and classroom learning assistants work with children requiring additional assistance in literacy, numeracy, English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) and other personalised needs. We offer Tier 2/3 literacy invetervention using InitiaLit/MiniLit. Members of the team also develop programs for children requiring extension. Support is generally offered within the classroom environment, or may be a withdrawal from class depending on the best intervention for a child to succeed.

Reporting

Sacred Heart staff report regularly to parents about their child’s progress in a range of formats. Reporting includes a first term interim report incorporating student goal setting and reflection against their learning assets; two formal written semester reports; parent-teacher interviews, learning journeys, student-lead conferences and special work exhibitions. Interviews may be arranged at any time by parents or staff.

Enrichment and Leadership

The Leadership Program is a significant part of the daily life of Sacred Heart, as well as an integral part of developing leadership qualities and strengthening relationships in all Year 6 students. The students nominate themselves for a particular role they identify personal strengths in or are interested in. They can nominate to be an Environment, ICT, Social Justice or Sports Leader. Students write letters to formally apply for a Leadership Role and once appointed they begin their training to fulfil their responsibilities within their community. We also vote to elect School Captains each year and Year 6 students train as Peer Support Leaders.

At all levels we offer students enrichment within their own classroom, but also in mixed groups during our Enrichment Program. We have made a significant investment in STEM equipment and our MakerSpace, using money raised through fundraising. Students are learning to code, use robotics, undertake engineering tasks and complete mathematical investigations.  We also have a focus on environmental sustainability with recycling, composting and gardening programs.

Extracurricular

students playing music

We offer a number of activities which cater for a diverse range of learners. During the week students have the opportunity to participate in activities such as the gardening club, social justice, ukulele, lego club, bike riding and tennis.   

Our school fees include an Activity Levy which allows us to host excursions or incursions each term; swimming, dance and gym and other sports including cycling and orienteering.

We offer School Choir, Tournament of the Minds and daVincii Decathlon. Students in Years 3-6 attend an annual overnight camp. We participate in the ACT PSSA events, for both individual and team sports.

Students can choose to play a weekend sport, such as netball and soccer, with a team of their school friends.

Private Tuition

Visiting tutors offer programs including piano, guitar and chess. These are arranged with families, who enter into a private contract with the provider. Details are found in the newsletter or by contacting the office.