Curriculum K-6

From the early years, a St Michael’s education provides choice, breadth and depth. From Kindergarten, our learning is inquiry-driven, with a commitment to the Reggio Emilia Educational Project. Our educators observe, listen and research alongside the children, encouraging them to wonder and pose questions with many opportunities for critical, analytical, creative and reflective thinking.

Students in Prep to Year 6 research and evaluate their learning within the context of a rich transdisciplinary learning framework. Our diverse curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Wellbeing, Information Communication and Learning Technologies, Spirituality (Anam Cara Learning), Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education and Sport, Languages (Chinese, Japanese and French), Literature and Research Skills, and Outdoor Education. In addition, we offer a range of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programs in Kindergarten to Year 6, including Digital Technologies and Literacies, and basic programming concepts.

Our Signature Programs are sequential, grounded in evidence-based practices, and tailored to the developmental stage of the learners. This approach underscores our dedication to shaping well-rounded individuals, equipped with the skills and dispositions necessary to navigate the future with confidence and creativity.

Early Learning Centre (ELC): Students focus on family, community, culture, and place, fostering a sense of belonging, being, and becoming.

Prep to Year 2: Programs develop students’ identity, wellbeing, communication, and foundational skills in Literacy and Numeracy. Year 2 includes the Sailing Cygnets Signature Program, teaching sailing basics and local fauna exploration.

Years 3 and 4: Learning expands beyond school, emphasizing collaboration and community. Year 3’s Penguin Squad program focuses on local environment care. Year 4’s Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability program covers Indigenous connections, climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, and local history.

Years 5 and 6: Focus shifts to service and leadership. Year 5’s Lead the Future program explores leadership concepts. Year 6’s Enterprising Futures program teaches entrepreneurialism and creative problem-solving.

Read about our Signature Programs, recognised as an Awardee in the Australian Education Excellence Awards here. 

At St Michael’s, we use Dr Lyn Sharratt’s Assessment Waterfall Chart to foster assessment literacy and student ownership of learning. Our students are well-versed in their learning assessment, with clear learning intentions and co-constructed success criteria.

Our teachers provide accurate, timely feedback, with opportunities for peer and self-assessment. We strive to apply learning to real-world contexts and provide diverse modes of feedback.

In our Junior School, we support students to grow in independence as they navigate their learning journey, with the aid of a Classroom Teacher (K-6) and parental involvement.

We start each year with Parent Teacher Learning Conversations. Semester 1 concludes with a discussion on learning and assessment, using a semester-long portfolio as a reference. We’ve transitioned to digital portfolios via Seesaw, enhancing visibility of learning. At semester’s end, a Summary Statement of Results provides an overview of each student’s achievement and holistic development.

At St Michael’s Grammar School, we cultivate students’ potential within a vibrant learning ecosystem. Our Teaching, Learning, and Caring (TLC) Framework fosters key learning foundations, creative problem-solving, independent thinking, effective collaboration, and collective wellbeing.

Our core values of Dignity, Respect, Care, and Compassion shape our community interactions. We view wellbeing and deep learning as intertwined strands essential for thriving.

Our students are empowered to make a positive difference in their lives and others’, developing as creative problem-solvers, independent thinkers, field leaders, and contributing citizens.