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Junior School is made up of children in the Early Years of schooling (Prep – 3) and students in Upper Primary years (4-6). Across this range of ages, children’s interests, needs and experiences change. These needs are reflected in the academic and pastoral programs that operate in Junior School.
Our focus is always on the whole student as education involves academic, emotional, physical and spiritual welfare, as children learn to live and work in various social and community contexts.
In Junior School, we aim to provide a range of engaging and relevant learning opportunities and experiences, as appropriate, as the children develop. In the Early Years, the focus is on exposing children to experiences and immersing them in an environment that stimulates curiosity and wonder about their world, their God and the people and practices around them. In Upper Junior, the focus changes to developing control of skills and strategies to enable them to learn effectively and develop wholesome and God-honouring relationships, working towards independence.
Relationships between our staff, families and students are extremely important as we strive for understanding and empathy in all we do. Our aim is to live each day in genuine Christian community, sharing lives and supporting each other to the glory of God. Our pastoral care for each other, and particularly the children, is based in quality relationships.
We are proud of the leadership provided by older students, as Year Fives and Sixes are involved in partnering with our “littlies” as big brothers and sisters to help them negotiate their early school experiences through our PALS and CHUMS programs. While Pastoral Care is primarily the responsibility of class teachers, it is exciting to see older students taking responsibility and becoming effective models within the Junior School community.
As each student is unique and special to God, so our charge in partnering with you to nurture, guide and train them is a serious mandate. We pray that each family experiences productive and fruitful years in their journey with us through Junior School.
Warm regards,
Nedra Purnell
Head of Junior School
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Northside Christian College Junior School is a community of people who CARE.... Courtesy, Attitude, Resilience and Excellence.
These values underlie much of our daily life and procedures in Junior School.
CARE
Junior School’s CARE focus is designed to teach students four key attributes that are essential for living a fulfilled life that honours God and His purposes.
The focus brings together the former Courtesy Curriculum, Program Achieve, Chapel and Assembly messages, class devotions and incidental teaching.
Key Attributes:
Courtesy - well-mannered, kind, cooperative, considerate
Attitude - open to God, enthusiastic, persevering, teachable, and responsive
Resilience - confident, positive, overcoming, assertive, self-accepting, faithful
Excellence - honest, responsible, punctual, tidy, focussed, diligent
Each of the four attributes is represented by a character, a slogan and a scripture.
Carrie Courtesy – “I respect others”
‘In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.’ Matt. 7:12
Abel Attitude – “I can do it!”
‘I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.’ Phil. 4:13
Ruby Resilience – “I can overcome”
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Deut. 31:6
Eddie Excellence – “I do my best”
‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.’ Col. 3:23
The strength of the CARE focus lies in the partnership of home and the College. Teachers follow a structured program of these concepts, and information is sent home to keep parents informed. In this way, there can be a united approach to helping the students develop crucial life skills.
Northside Christian College is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, to the development of the individual as a whole and to the service of God and others. Our aim is to develop ‘Character through Christ’ (the College motto), in a caring environment through the cooperation and involvement of staff, students and their families.
Junior School provides the foundation of the Christian education experience. Students are introduced to the concepts of community - courtesy towards others, a positive, Christlike attitude, resilience in the face of life’s realities, and a standard of personal excellence.
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There has been growing concern across our State with the number of children experiencing difficulty with reading and writing. The current methods of teaching literacy have been in question for quite some time at our College and, following the evidence of research proving that alternate methods produce greater levels of success for students, we have decided to introduce a consistent and systematic approach that involves teaching the connection between speech and the way spoken sounds are written. The Spalding Method integrates the skills of listening, speaking, spelling, writing and reading. We encourage students to become critical and discriminating listeners as well as effective speakers, readers and writers through teaching the three essential elements of spelling, writing and reading.
Spelling develops accurate handwriting, as students learn the 70 phonograms used to spell and read 45 common sounds in English. Through developing knowledge of vocabulary and rules governing spelling as they study the Ayres list of high-frequency words, students learn not only to spell but develop fluency in the use of words for reading.
Writing is built sequentially from working with frequently-met words to sentences to longer narrative and informative paragraphs and passages. Through reading and writing their own sentences and passages, students learn the correct use of capital letters, punctuation, grammar and rules in context. Word meanings are clarified as they apply known words in correct contexts.
Because students deal with decoding words through spelling, they are free to concentrate on comprehension when reading. Using good quality literature, students analyse characteristics required in quality writing, and critical reading skills are formed through study of the organisation of different texts. We want children to develop a love of reading and a taste for good writing.
The Spalding philosophy is based on a child-centred approach, where all students are actively engaged in advanced thinking skills involved in applying knowledge already learned in their daily work. Children are given strong guidance and correct modelling leading to success. This increases motivation, as both teachers and students develop high expectations for quality work and independent learning. The multisensory approach to learning ensures that students simultaneously take in information presented through visual, auditory and kinaesthetic senses using all channels to the brain. Through purposeful explicit instruction and daily observation of student progress, teachers ensure the relationship between speaking, writing and reading is constantly taught.
Research has underlined that explicit, sequential teaching of phonics, analysis of sounds and composition of words and their meanings are vital for children to have a sound grounding in effective use of the English language. This integrated total language approach strengthens their understanding of the underlying structure and function of English, allowing them to effectively manipulate the language for their own purposes and enjoyment. Through the Spalding method of teaching spelling, writing and reading, our students develop literacy skills critical to their active participation in society. |
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Missions is an important part of Junior School life. Students are encouraged by active participation through prayer, financial support and active involvement to develop a “missions heart”.
Each year level in Junior School has its own Missions Focus. The students adopt a project, praying for the people and work involved, and raising money for support.
Missions Focus Year level activities:
- Year 1 - children will be raising money to help the children of the Philippines. They will help with school supplies and food.
- Year 2 - students aim to buy books for orphans in Kampala. The children will make bookmarks to send as well.
- Year 3 - students are supporting 'The Bible Society' in their quest to provide Bibles for Australia’s indigenous people.
- Year 4 - will be part of Operation Christmas Child which is organized by the Franklin Graham ministry. The children will undertake to fill shoe boxes with small gifts. Each box will contain a Christian leaflet.
- Year 5 - students will undertake a media fast to raise funds for orphans in Uganda.
- Year 6 - decided to be involved in the ministry of the Far East Broadcasting Company. They will help to provide radios and will pray, contact the missionaries, map the areas and read testimonies.
World Vision
Helping communities throughout the world.
Support of the World Vision 8 hour famine is an annual event in Junior School.
Sponsoring Children Overseas
In 2010, Juior School year levels will take on the joyful responsibility of sponsoring boys and girls from a World Vision Project in Vietnam. We seek to impact the lives of these children, their families and communities for good in Jesus' name. |
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