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Customised Learning

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Andale School offers the Victorian Curriculum including Levels A-D and Foundation to Year 6.

For teachers to provide the learning opportunities that promote student progress along the learning continuum, it is essential they assess the current strengths of the student (learning and development), as well as measure their growth as they progress through school.  Assessment enables teachers to understand what the child has learned and determine what the child needs to learn next.  Assessment of learning is an ongoing process that enables teachers set goals for further growth, and design/deliver appropriate education programs. By monitoring progress, teachers modify the learning programs and make adjustments to meet the learner’s needs.  Parents/carers are provided with a report each semester that describes the programs and progress of each child.  Individual education plans (IEPs) are updated in Term 1 and 3 via student support group meetings.  IEPs determine individual goals for each student and describe the adjustments that teachers will make to support student development and learning.

Structured Learning Environment

Structured classrooms and routines play a crucial role in enhancing student learning. At Andale School we offer predictable classroom routines that create a supportive environment where students thrive and succeed. There are several reasons a predictable and orderly learning environment benefits student learning:

  • Increases focus and reduces distractions: by providing structure and predictability, routines help students stay focused and reduce distractions. When students know what to expect, they can better engage in their studies
  • Supports self-regulation: routines contribute to the development of social-emotional skills. They foster a positive classroom climate and support students’ overall well-being. When students feel secure and understand the daily activities, they can regulate their behavior more effectively
  • Facilitates time management: consistent routines help students manage their time effectively. Knowing the sequence of activities allows them to allocate time efficiently for different tasks
  • Enhances academic performance: structured routines enhance overall learning experiences. They provide clarity about expectations, promote discipline, and maximise academic performance.

An Andale School education is an incredible gift.

Andale staff are motivating and skilled at unlocking student potential; their multidisciplinary approach supports student engagement and builds confidence. Most importantly, staff encourage students to be themselves (authentic), and celebrate every achievement.

_______

Each student is challenged and supported as they progress through the school. Andale students thrive in the classroom, in the playground, and within the school community. And all this within a climate of trust, respect, cooperation, and courtesy.

Dr Sylvia Walton AO

M A, Dip Ed (Syd), Ed D (hc LTU), B Ed (LTU), FAICD

Curriculum

English

Mathematics

Integrated Studies

Digital Technology

Personal Social Capabilities

Physical Education (Fundamental Motor Skills)

Health (including Yoga/Kitchen Garden)

Creative Arts

– Visual Arts

– Performing Arts

At Andale School, we follow the Victorian Curriculum, which is modified as required for each student. Individual Education Plans are created in conjunction with parents and specialists, such as psychologists and speech therapists.  The IEPs are reviewed in Terms 1 and 3. The IEPs incorporate individual goals that are designed to reduce barriers to learning and describe the essential adjustments each child needs to experience learning success.  Parents/carers participate in Student Support Group (SSG) meetings at which IEPs are developed.  Parents receive an academic report describing their child’s learning progress against the Victorian Curriculum continuum at the end of Semester 2 and 4.  As partners in the education of their child, parents/carers have regular contact with the class teachers and school principal.

 

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English

English is central to the learning and development of all students at Andale. Learning in English offers students opportunities to:
  • Develop the ability to listen, to understand and to respond
  • Interact and communicate effectively with others in a range of learning environments and social situations
  • Make choices, obtain information, question and be actively engaged in activities related to the curriculum
  • Develop creativity and imagination
  • Access a wide range of literature to enrich and broaden their experiences.

The English curriculum is presented in curriculum levels from Levels A-D and F-10. Content is organised under 3 interrelated strands:

  • Language
  • Literature
  • Literacy.

Each strand is organised by sub-strands. Sub-strands group content descriptions under an appropriate concept, to provide both a focus and a clear sequence for the development of related concepts and skills within strands and across levels.

Mathematics

The Mathematics curriculum has three strands: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability.  At Andale School we use the CRA approach (Concrete/Representational/Abstract) approach to ensure that students make connections between concrete objects/manipulatives and abstract concepts.  In this way factual, procedural and conceptual knowledge are strongly linked.  The curriculum aims to ensure that students:

  • Develop useful mathematical and numeracy skills for everyday life
  • Become confident, proficient, effective and adaptive users of mathematics
  • Develop proficiency with mathematical concepts, skills, procedures and processes, and use them to demonstrate mastery in mathematics as they pose and solve problems, and reason with number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability
  • Make connections between areas of mathematics and apply mathematics to real world problems
  • Develop a positive disposition towards mathematics, recognising it as an accessible and useful discipline to study.

https://f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au/learning-areas

 

Physical Education (PE)

Physical Education forms an essential developmental component of the curriculum for all students. PE helps our students learn the skills and rules for a wide range of sports and activities in a positive and fun environment. The program develops skills, fitness, cooperation, and sportsmanship.  Swimming lessons are offered once a week over a term.   We also participate in the Sporting Schools program (a Commonwealth Government funded initiative) which enables our students to learn and develop their physical skills to participate in sports such as basketball, netball, soccer, football etc.  The students also learn yoga (which is great for flexibility and mindfulness).  Another part of our PE program is teaching fundamental motor skills “Fundamental motor skills, such as the run, leap, catch and overhand throw, form the building blocks which underpin the learning of more complicated sport and movement skills common to the community. Without fundamental motor skill competence, students are less likely to learn related sport and movement skills.” DET FMS Information  

Yoga lessons (delivered as part of our Health curriculum) develop core strength, balance, relaxation, and meditation skills. Breathing techniques are developed and can be used at any time to reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga poses help to improve coordination, body awareness, and concentration.

Integrated Studies

Integrated Studies involves multidisciplinary programs to increase general knowledge, and projects to create, experiment and research a range of topics.  Integrated Units covers a variety of different areas: History, Humanities, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Science, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical and Intercultural Understanding. Integrated Units also include logical integration of literacy, numeracy, and digital technologies. Our integrated unit scope and sequence ensure that there is no repetition in the teaching of content and skills. Students are immersed in the real-world application of what they will be learning. Students are explicitly taught new terminology relating to each unit and where appropriate they learn writing, reading and communication skills, and mathematical concepts.

Digital Technology

Andale has a 1:1 computer program. Class computers are used to provide personalised learning opportunities in all subjects.  The school provides devices for students to learn at the point of need: school devices do not go home.  In the Junior Class all students have access to an iPad. The Middle Students have iPads as well as desktops and the Senior Class students have laptops.  The laptop program is designed to prepare students for secondary education. Each class is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, providing opportunities to focus lessons and encourage hands-on collaboration. 

Digital technologies may be defined as being any networks, systems, software or hardware including electronic devices and applications which allow a user to access, receive, view, record, store, communicate, copy or send any information such as text, images, audio, or video. We teach basic programming, mechanics (using a mouse/typing) and skills such as researching.  Students also use technology to create learning artefacts such as written works, presentations and other projects.  Andale School has access to a range of educational subscriptions to support all areas of learning including Cyber Safety.

Personal Social Capabilities

Personal Social Learning programs are designed around the needs of the students.  We use a variety of programs and resources to ensure that we provide ‘just in time’ education experiences relevant to the needs of the students.  Social emotional learning is embedded in all curriculum areas and activities.  Skills and concepts we teach include emotion identification and regulation, social approach (friendship skills), working in a group (turn taking, winning and losing), self-advocacy and personal decision making.  Our social emotional curriculum is aligned with the Personal Social Learning Capability / Victorian Curriculum.

Library Program

Andale School students attend the Kew Library for library sessions.  The Library Program supports students to develop their literacy skills and encourages the enjoyment of literature.  Students visit the Kew Library approximately every two weeks.  Students are issued a library card and choose books to borrow.  The children become members with parental permission.  Student library cards are kept at the borrowing desk.  The children can access these cards on the weekends and holidays.

Community Links

The school has active partnerships with Trinity Grammar School, Xavier College and Ruyton Girls’ School.  These partners offer community service and extra-curricular activities such as activity days and end of year celebrations.  Kew Tennis Club offer a family day and Rossbourne School generously share their performing arts centre and gym.  The Uniting Church and Baptist Churches in Highbury Grove share the use of their halls with us which enables us to run indoor programs and incursions in larger spaces.

Allied Health Support

Andale School staff work in a multi-disciplinary model.  This means all staff work together in a ‘team around the learner’ model.  Our allied health professionals, including the Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Psychologist, work within the classrooms observing and running programs with students in small groups, pairs or individually.  Students enrolled at Andale School may require and benefit from the services of external (private) allied health services as we do not provide ongoing one to one support from allied health professionals.  One to one programs with Andale School staff are generally short-term interventions.   The services provided include observation/assessment of student needs in relation to enrolment applications, consultation with teachers and families, attendance at student support group meetings and support with the preparation of various funding applications.

  • The Speech Pathologist conducts formal assessments of speech, language, and phonemic awareness skills and therapy sessions targeting a variety of speech, communication, and literacy skills.
  • The School Psychologist conducts formal assessments of cognitive, academic, and behavioural skills as required.
  • The Occupational Therapist conducts assessments in fine/gross motor skills and functional skills.

Stephanie Alexander
Kitchen Garden Program

Our kitchen garden flourishes with garden helpers from our middle and senior classes. The garden group is kept busy tending a variety of fruits, potted herbs and a bountiful vegetable garden, developing skills in weeding, propagating, planting, and harvesting. The kitchen group uses garden produce to create delicious vegetarian meals, practising cooking, safety, and cleaning skills in our cottage kitchen.

Fundamental Motor Skills

During PE lessons and brain breaks students participate in FMS sessions.  FMS:
  • Helps students achieve a state of readiness to learn
  • Promotes neurological organisation
  • Assists students’ receptiveness to receive, interpret and respond to sensory information
  • Uses movement to assist with the development of academic and cognitive skills.

The Camp Program

Camping supports the Senior students to develop independence, provides them with opportunities to extend their learning outside the classroom, and enables them to participate in experiences which extend their competence both socially and personally.  Children with high level medical needs may attend camp with a parent or carer (by agreement with the principal in line with our Child Safety policies).  Generally, the camps are only one night duration.

Incursions and Excursions

Students participate in excursions and incursions across all year levels. Excursions and incursions are essential in schooling as they assist children with their physical and social development and understanding of their world. They allow for hands-on teaching making learning interactive and fun.  They provide the opportunity for students to be taught by someone other than their teacher who may also be an expert in their field.  This can help to develop a student’s focus and engagement. Incursions are a great alternative to school excursions. They enhance the learning experience of students and are safe and effective.  Excursions and incursions:

  • Encourage students to interact and communicate with both other students and presenter/teachers assisting in building language skills, social skills, confidence and motivation
  • Provide an opportunity for all students to participate and a path to success for disadvantaged students
  • Teach teamwork tolerance, cooperation, problem solving and awareness
  • Make the learning and teaching experience fun for both students and teachers
  • Allows students to explore and extend their knowledge by bringing the outside world into in the classroom.

Creative Arts

Visual and Performing Arts programs incorporates both Performance Arts, such as Music, Drama, Dance, as well as Visual Arts. Our Creative Arts program enhances both skill development and creative self-expression.

Performing Arts programs enhance the academic, artistic, cultural, and personal pursuits of all students. We know students develop many skills through an engaging performing arts program, including confidence and empathy.  The program provides opportunities to play music, engage in dance and drama, sing in choir and perform (at assemblies and our annual concert).

The Art program at Andale gives the children the opportunity to explore and, use a variety of skills, techniques and processes involving many modes of Art such as Drawing, Painting, Collage, Modelling, Construction and Textiles. The children develop skills using art elements including line, shape, colour, texture, pattern and form. They are introduced to artists and their artworks, learning to observe and respond to the artwork. The children are encouraged to comment on their own artwork and the artwork of their peers. The Art program is a chance for the children to develop their creative skills in a safe and encouraging space.

Explicit Instruction

At Andale School our teachers embrace explicit direct instruction as an effective teaching method.  Explicit Instruction is a high impact teaching strategy that provides predicable learning routines for students.  It is a structured teaching method whereby teachers explain, demonstrate, and model skills and concepts. It benefits all students, especially those who learn differently. Why It Matters:

  • Clarity: explicit instruction makes learning crystal clear. It provides time for ample practice and teacher feedback
  • Engagement: it engages students, teaching them the process of learning
  • Science of Learning: when teaching skills such as decoding, explicit instruction outperforms less direct strategies like discovery learning or balanced literacy approaches
  • Predictability supports secure relationships with teachers and emotional regulation.

Students need to know:

    • What am I doing?
    • Who with?
    • For how long?
    • How will I know I have finished?
    • What is next?

Children thrive in predictable environments. They find comfort in routines and their working memory is freed up for learning skills, processes and concepts, rather than figuring out what they have to do or guessing what the teacher is requiring from them.