Term Dates Enrol Here
School staff Email Education Support Office Email Directorate Intranet
  • About us
  • Contact us

Key Learning Areas

Currently, eight key learning areas exist. As explained above, these learning areas are not taught in isolation but rather within the transdisciplinary program of inquiry or units of work. They are:

Language and Literacy

At North Ainslie we believe that an effective and rich learning environment committed to languages education is one where all students:

English Program

The ACT Curriculum Framework defines literacy as:

"the ability to read and write and use information and to write appropriately in a range of contexts. It also involves the integration of speaking, listening and critical thinking, and includes the cultural knowledge that enables the speaker, writer or reader to recognise and use language appropriate to the social situation. In the English learning area, literacy also involves viewing"

This definition of literacy underpins our approach to the development of students' literacy skills. At North Ainslie we believe that "schools have the responsibility to create the conditions that will enable students to succeed" and that all students can succeed given relevant support and direction. The conditions on which this success relies are:

At North Ainslie the school day has been arranged to create a two-hour daily literacy block. Literacy is also taught within our transdisciplinary program of inquiry and all key learning areas.  

The curriculum is informed by the First Steps programs, the national curriculum and the IB PYP Language scope and sequence.  It focuses on the strands of:

Our commitment to a continuum of support for literacy learning incorporates:

We promote early identification of children's specific literacy needs and appropriate intervention strategies. For example, at North Ainslie every child's reading and comprehension levels are tested regularly. Results are analysed and entered into a database. The literacy team then works with the class teacher to review and improve reading proficiency. 

Additional Languages Program

Language education enriches learners intellectually, linguistically and culturally, enabling them to communicate in multiple ways and to view the world from multiple perspectives.

Teachers at North Ainslie believe that learning an additional language is important to the education of young people. We believe that additional language education:

Units of work focus on developing understanding, knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following:

At North Ainslie Kindergarten students receive a basic introduction to the French language. Students from 7 years of age receive a weekly minimum of 45 minutes of additional language instruction, delivered by a specialist teacher. From year 3 all students receive a weekly minimum of 60 minutes of additional language instruction, delivered by a specialist teacher. At times specialist teachers also team with classroom teachers to provide the Additional Languages program. 

Mathematics Program

The ACT Curriculum Framework defines numeracy as "the ability to use mathematics effectively to meet the general demands of life at home, in paid work and for participation in community and civic life".

Our mathematics curriculum is informed by the IB PYP Mathematics Scope and Sequence, Count Me in Too program and national curriculum. It incorporates the strands of:

Learning experiences in mathematics at North Ainslie give students the opportunities to actively construct meaning about mathematics, transfer that meaning into symbolic form (mathematical notation and diagrams) and then apply their knowledge, skills and understandings.

Students' understanding of numeracy is facilitated by the inclusion of hands-on learning experiences, real world problem solving and inquiry. Emphasis is placed on the development of confidence and the enjoyment of mathematics. We believe that, wherever possible, mathematics should be taught through the relevant, realistic context of the units of inquiry so that students gain an understanding of the application of mathematics in their world. Students also need opportunities to identify and reflect on the "big ideas" within and between the different strands of mathematics.

Our mathematics programs build upon prior knowledge and are responsive to the demonstrated needs of individual students. Opportunities for remediation and extension are provided to best suit the needs of the students. Several additional programs may be offered to students: Tournament of Minds, UNSW Mathematics Competition, and Australian Mathematics Trust Maths Challenge. 

Health and Physical Education Program

As a health promoting school, North Ainslie values the development of children's' physical, emotional and spiritual selves, and seeks to build social and emotional capacity within every member of our school community. Our program is underpinned by the restorative and relational framework, and incorporates instruction in healthy living practices and social skills.

Students participate in regular physical activity, including human movement to music. They:

Our health and physical education curriculum is informed by Every Chance to Learn, the IB PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education Scope and Sequence, and national curriculum. 

Science Program

North Ainslie values the role of science in the education program. Science is seen as an integral part of daily life, and is the exploration of the biological, chemical and physical aspects of the natural world, and the relationships between them. A knowledge of science is necessary for all students so that they can understand the world in which they live, value the systems and processes that support life on our planet, and take an active and informed role in society.

Our science curriculum is informed by the IB PYP Science Scope and Sequence and the Australian science curriculum. It incorporates the strands of:

Science at North Ainslie is taught within our transdisciplinary program of inquiry. We aim to develop students' capacity to:

We aim to develop student's scientific understanding, knowledge and skills by:

Social Sciences Program

Social sciences at North Ainslie are taught within our transdisciplinary program of inquiry.  Students are guided towards a deeper understanding of themselves and others, and of their place in an increasingly global society. They are given opportunities to look at and think about human behaviour and activity realistically, objectively, and with sensitivity.  They gain knowledge and understandings of their own society and others, of local and global environments and of the relationships between environments and societies.                                                                                                                                   
Our social sciences curriculum is informed by Every Chance to Learn, the IB PYP Social Studies Scope and Sequence and the Australian Curriculum for history and geography. It incorporates the following strands, which are concept-driven and are inextricably linked to each other and other subject areas:

We aim to develop our student's capacity to:

We aim to develop student's understandings, knowledge and skills to:

Technology Program

Technology education involves the active application of knowledge, experience and resources to create processes and products that meet human needs.

Our technology curriculum is informed by Every Chance to Learn, the IB PYP Science and Social Studies Scope and Sequences and the Australian Technologies Curriculum. It incorporates the strands of:

Technology at North Ainslie is taught within our transdisciplinary program of inquiry. We believe that it is important to give children the understandings, knowledge and skills that will make them informed and effective citizens who can:

Arts Program

At North Ainslie we believe that an arts program provides a variety of media through which students can develop sound emotional literacy and can respond creatively to their environment and sense of humanity. We offer a comprehensive program that incorporates the strands of drama, music, visual arts and dance.

Music is catered for by the ACT Instrumental Music and Drumming Programs in years 5 and 6. Students may be selected to participate in the bands provided through this program. Various percussion and recorder groups also compliment our school music program. A specialist teacher delivers a drumming program to year 5 and 6 students not involved in the Band program. Singing is used in the classroom, and by teams for shared time, and is quite often performed at school assemblies and the annual concert. North Ainslie is a participant in the MEP singing program and students have the opportunity to sing at both whole school and external community events.   A specialist dance teacher is employed to teach dance and movement classes across the school. Visual Arts holds a high priority at NAPS. Students are exposed to the techniques of various artists and periods, and are taught skills relating to colour, line, form and shape. North Ainslie currently employs a specialist visual art teacher in years 3-6.

Our arts curriculum is informed by Every Chance to Learn, the IB PYP Arts Scope and Sequence and the national curriculum. 

References: