Learning
At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.
Why choose us for your child’s learning?
Strong foundations
We focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in school and beyond. This helps them feel confident and prepared for the future.
High-quality education
We offer a range of subjects to match what students enjoy and want to learn about. Our skilled teachers support every student to find what they love, do their best and succeed.
Inclusive and personalised learning
Our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs, interests and learning pace. We make sure every student feels confident and supported.
Extension opportunities
Some students are ready for more challenges. We offer open-ended tasks, enrichment programs and support. We help all students to reach their full potential.
What students learn
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.
English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Students learn about the English language through written, spoken and visual texts of increasing complexity as they progress through their schooling.
An understanding of the English language is central to how we communicate and essential for intellectual, social and emotional development.
The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.
The focus areas for each stage support students’ growing knowledge and understanding in the areas of:
- Oral language and communication
- Vocabulary
- Phonological awareness (K-2 focus)
- Print conventions (K-2 focus)
- Phonic knowledge (K-2 focus) / Spelling (3-6 focus)
- Reading fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Creating written texts
- Spelling
- Handwriting (K-2 focus) / Handwriting and digital transcription (3-6 focus)
- Understanding and responding to literature
In the junior school much emphasis is placed on phonics, with a half hour phonics lesson conducted daily across Kindergarten to Year 2. As students move into primary, the focus moves to spelling lessons. Our youngest students use their acquired phonics knowledge to begin to write their own sentences independently. As students move through primary school, they gradually learn to write more longer and complex pieces, with attention given to more complex punctuation, vocabulary and themes.
Importance is placed on reading to students, as well as independent reading. When learning to read, students work with decodable readers (which include the spellings and sounds that they have learned in class). As students achieve mastery in decodable readers, emphasis is placed on reading a wide variety of texts independently. Students move on to reading chapter books, novels and picture books with more complex themes.
Reading together at home is one of the best ways that you can help your child to become a good reader and writer. For more tips, see the video below.
The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.
The syllabus consists of the following strands:
- number and algebra
- measurement and geometry
- statistics and probability.
At Queanbeyan West, we believe that every student is a mathematician.
We are proudly involved in the NSW Department of Education's Mathematics Strategy, working with the Mathematics Specialisation in Primary Schools Initiative (MSPI).
Our teachers convey the usefulness of mathematics through the NSW Curriculum in our classrooms. Through the MSPI program, teachers have been provided with evidence-based professional learning and access to high-quality resources to support our students in accessing the curriculum at the point of need.
Queanbeyan West’s collaborative approach towards mathematics allows students to build important skills like solving problems, thinking critically, wondering, noticing, and working together.
We encourage and build positive perceptions of mathematics in our broader community, including supporting parents and carers to feel more confident in talking with their children about mathematics.
Our educators support students to express their ideas using words, symbols, models, pictures, and concrete materials. Mathematics isn't just about numbers – it's about giving students the tools they need to succeed in their future roles as leaders in our community.
For tips on encourgaing and helping your child with mathematics at home, take a look at the video linked below.
Science and technology is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In science and technology, students explore the natural and made worlds. They learn how to apply scientific and technological skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.
Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.
In human society and its environment (HSIE), the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10, where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.
In HSIE, students explore varied subjects in human society and its environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.
Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.
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.
Creative arts is mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
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.
Students have various opportunities to showcase these talents throughout the year including at the annual Queanbeyan West Public School concert.
Dance
Students at Queanbeyan West Public School have the opportunity to participate in dance activities as part of their classroom learning. Extra-curricular dance programs are provided that give students the opportunity to perform at local, regional and state events. Years 4-6 students have the opportunity to participate in the Queanbeyan School's Performing Arts Festival and Years 3 - 6 have the opportunity to participate in Pulse Alive. For more information about Pulse Alive, visit the website here:
https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/southern-tablelands-dance-festival
Years 5 & 6 students also have the opportunity to audition and attend the larger scale dance event; Schools Spectacular. Years 1-6 students have the opportunity to participate in weekly stage-based dance ensembles, performing at school events and Southern Tablelands Dance Festival. To find out more about the festival click the link below:
https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/southern-tablelands-dance-festival
Visual Arts
Students have a range of visual art activities on offer at Queanbeyan West Public School. Students participate in lessons using a variety of mediums such as paint, pencil, watercolour, clay and digital photography. Our junior students enjoy creating temporary art in our Bush Art program, which is an outdoor art experience. Students in K-6 are also encouraged to enter their art into local external competitions.
Music
The music program at Queanbeyan West Public School is growing. Our P&C recently purchased a brand new piano and our choir has been going from strength to strength. There are opportunities for students to participate in band and to have experience with a range of instruments, including percussion and tuned instruments (using our class sets of guitars and ukuleles).
Drama
Students at Queanbeyan West Public School have the opportunity to participate in drama activities as part of their classroom learning. Years 5 & 6 students can participate in a regular drama group performing at school events and Southern Tablelands Drama Festival.
Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
At Queanbeyan West, there are many opportunities for students with an interest in PDHPE.
Physical Education and Sport
Students may participate in competitive sport through the NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA). Schools participating are organised into zoned areas. The Queanbeyan District PSSA covers schools in the Queanbeyan district and surrounding areas. Sports include football, basketball, cricket, athletics and cross country. For more information about PSSA, click the link below:
Students also participate in sporting competitions offered by Canberra organisations, such as AFL Canberra and Raiders League Tag. Programs are also run by local organisations within the school for 3-6 sport sessions.
Each year we hold Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals at school or in the local area, sending qualifying students to District and Zone Carnivals.
Health and Personal Development
Life Education has been in schools for over 40 years and many parents will be familiar with Healthy Harold. Life Education visit us at Queanbeyan West each year. To learn more about the Life Education program, click the link:
What Happens During a Life Education Visit
Health and Personal Development lessons, including Child Protection lessons are also conducted in the classroom throughout the year.
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
Our learning approach
Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.
Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.
Our learning approach includes:
- real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
- technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
- flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
- community connections: through excursions and local programs.
Helping students progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals with each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making wellbeing part of everyday learning
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
Want to know more about our subjects?
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Student opportunities and activities
Discover clubs, sports and other activities your child can enjoy at school.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.