PRIMARY SCHOOL
In Western Australia public primary school runs from
Kindergarten to Year 7. This will change in 2015 when
Year 7 students will move to secondary school.
Pre-primary to Year 7
Pre-primary is the first year of compulsory schooling
in Western Australia.
Academically the main focus in primary school is on
literacy and numeracy so students learn to read, write
and understand mathematics. Many schools have
specialist literacy and numeracy programs to help
students develop these skills.
What students learn at primary school covers eight
broad areas: English, mathematics, science, society
and environment, technology and enterprise,
languages, the arts, and health and physical education.
Primary school teachers are trained to inspire,
motivate and build confidence in students. They work
closely with parents to ensure each child thrives
at school. Teachers keep parents updated on their
children’s progress both informally and formally
through school reporting processes.
School playgrounds include play equipment that
is fun and encourages outdoor activity and fitness
as well as hard courts and grassed playing fields
to ensure students can play a variety of sports and
remain active. Students are required to take part in a
minimum of two hours of physical activity each week.
Most primary schools also have canteens as well
as libraries where special areas are set aside for
quiet study.
Teaching and Class Sizes
In primary school students have the same teacher
for the most part of the day. Some schools may also
have specialist teachers for subjects such as music,
art, drama, physical education and languages.
Class sizes are generally 25 to 32 children, but
these vary depending on the type of school and
its location. Classes may also consist of split year
levels, meaning there may be students in different
year levels in the same class.
P
re-primary is for children turning five years old by
30 June of the year they start Pre-primary.
Some classes may have more than one teacher.
Teachers are often assisted education assistants
or an eligible student within the class may have
their own education assistant because of learning
difficulties or disability.
Facilities in Primary Schools
Curriculum
Primary schools are designed and built to provide
students with safe, stimulating learning environments.
Primary schools teach across the learning areas
of English, mathematics, science, history, the
arts, technologies, health and physical education,
languages, humanities and social science subjects.
The Australian Curriculum is being gradually phased
in within these subjects.
Classes are generally organised by year groups.
The design of schools takes into account the needs
of each year group and phases of learning. In some
schools, designs have been changed to meet special
needs and enable more flexible arrangement of
classes and activities.
Students in the early years of school (Kindergarten to
Year 2) have large purpose designed spaces equipped
with their own toilets, sinks and sheltered play areas.
Older students may have activity areas close to
their classrooms where they may work individually
and together on projects and larger pieces of work
without interrupting their peers. Most schools have
purpose designed music rooms and art studios, as
well as large covered areas for school assemblies
and performances.
The Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment
Outline sets out the knowledge, understandings,
skills, values and attitudes that all students from
Kindergarten to Year 10 are expected to acquire.
It also includes the curriculum, guiding principles
for teaching, learning and assessment and support
for teachers in their assessment and reporting of
student achievement.
More information is available on the School
Curriculum and Standards Authority website at
www.k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/Background.
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