What we Teach
St. Dominic's Primary School Camberwell East
In Religious Education, children learn through dialogue, connection, prayer, inquiry and a deeper understanding of Catholic traditions, rituals, scriptures and sacraments. Students are invited to express their wonderings about faith and its context in today’s world. Religious Education is integral to other curriculum areas, particularly Inquiry-based Learning and Wellbeing programs.
We foster the faith development of all in our community, to be living examples of Gospel values in their lives.​
The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are embedded in student’s learning experiences across the curriculum and underpin all we do.
Religious Education
Religious Education
At St Dominic’s, the teaching of Mathematics equips students the necessary skills and efficient strategies they can apply to everyday experiences. The students are empowered to think logically and creatively, with an emphasis on problem solving and developing relational thinking in all areas of Mathematics.
Mathematics
Mathematics
Our STEM program at St Dominic’s provides our students with opportunities to develop problem solving skills, creativity, independent learning, communication and digital literacy. With a dedicated STEM leader and explicit teaching fortnightly, our students are well on their way to become confident and competent global citizens.
STEM
STEM
Through our Arts program, the students at St Dominic’s are provided with many rich and engaging opportunities to develop their Visual Arts and Performing Arts skills. The artistic work of students can be seen on display around the school and every second year, the students are involved in a school concert.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts
The Italian program at St Dominic’s provides opportunities for students to explore a wide range of Italian traditions and customs. Students develop new ways of seeing and being in the world, and understand more about themselves through deepened connections with the Italian language and culture.
Italian
LOTE - Italian
At St. Dominic's Primary School, we inspire our lifelong learners to consciously make a difference, and demonstrate respect and care for the earth's resources by exploring the sustainability Ethos and Catholic Social Teaching of Stewardship of Creation. Guided and inspired by Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’, we are inspired to be stewards of our world in every way we can. Our St. Dom’s productive garden and Garden Club, along with our commitment to sustainable practices and education enhance this care and engage our students in hands-on care for creation.
St Dominic’s is a registered ResourceSmart school and we work in partnership with the City of Boroondara and Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning.
Sustainability & Garden
Sustainability & Garden
At St Dominic’s, the teaching of English is an integral component of the broader curriculum. Literacy skills are explicitly taught and modelled through the three modes of the English curriculum - Reading and Viewing, Writing and Speaking and Listening. Students have the opportunity to learn during whole class and small group situations where they are immersed in a wide range of literature to foster a love of reading.
English
English
Inquiry Based Learning at St Dominic’s is an approach that engages and challenges the thinking minds of our students. We provide rich and authentic learning experiences where the students become informed and active global citizens.
Inquiry Based Learning
Inquiry Based Learning
At St. Dominic’s, the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Capabilities underpin all learning in other areas of the curriculum. The Capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural, Personal and Social) are a set of knowledge and skills that are taught explicitly in and through learning areas.
Capabilities
Capabilities
Through our Arts program, the students at St Dominic’s are provided with many rich and engaging opportunities to develop their Visual Arts and Performing Arts skills. The artistic work of students can be seen on display around the school and every second year, the students are involved in a school concert.
Performing Arts
Capabilities
At St Dominic’s, we run a comprehensive Physical Education and Sport program that aims to maximise student participation at all levels. Our program aims to develop a lifelong appreciation for movement, exercise and confidence in a range of sports and activities. Our students have the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting clinics, interschool sport and a whole school swimming program.
Physical Education
Physical Education
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Garden
Sustainability & Garden
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STEM
Sustainability & Garden
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Throughout the year, our students participate in many learning opportunities and extracurricular activities. These may include, but not limited to:
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Whole School & Level Masses
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Whole School & Level Assemblies
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Athletics Carnival
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Cross Country Carnival
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Swimming Lessons (Prep-Yr6)
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Swimming Carnival (Yrs 3-6)
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Interschool Sport (Yrs 5-6)
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Excursions
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Incursions
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Year 5-6 Camp (Canberra/Kangaroobie)
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Year 3-4 Camp (Phillip Island/Sovereign Hill)
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Italian Day
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Italian Festa
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Performing Arts Program
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School Concert
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School Choir
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Music Lessons (keyboard, guitar & vocals)
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'Serving Communities' fund raising festivals
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Selected Lunch time clubs - e.g Garden Club, Library, Chess
Why We Teach
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To equip students with the skills, attitude and mindset to become lifelong learners
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To nurture well-informed, critical thinkers and active global citizens
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To grow and learn together
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To provide a caring and nurturing environment for young people and their families
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To support students to be resilient, particularly in the face of challenge, stress or adversity
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To make a difference in the lives of every child, 100% of the time
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To develop the ‘whole’ child
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To ensure that teaching connects learning to life
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To work alongside our parents in partnership in the education, care and wellbeing of all children
How We Teach
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With a collaborative approach which engages student voice and agency
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With inclusive practice
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With contemporary pedagogies and practices
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With innovation, based on current educational practices
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With a data, research and evidence-based approach to approach
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With a child’s eye for engagement, what makes learning fun, and an open mind
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With a wholistic and well-rounded educational mindset
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With acceptance and tolerance of all
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With ongoing feedback which is integral to both teaching and learning
How We Measure Success
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Data walls
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Assessment data- eg. NAPLAN
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Verbal and non-verbal feedback
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Student feedback
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Social action and acts of social justice
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Happiness and Social Connection of students
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Student confidence, risk-taking and competence
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GEM (Gratitude, Mindfulness, Empathy) in practice
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Student, Staff and Parent Surveys (eg. MACCSIS, ECSI)