Primary Years
Academic Overview
NBCS focuses on providing strong foundations for life-long learning. We teach each child how to learn, with a particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
All Board of Studies Key Learning Areas are taught by a team of dedicated professionals, including the classroom teacher and specialist teachers who work across the grades.
As well as approximately an hour of numeracy and two hours of literacy a day, regular units of Science, Human Society and Its Environment, Languages, Art, Music, Personal Development and Health and Christian Studies fill out a rich and varied program for deep learning.
Education Support
Some students require additional help in mastering their academic studies. An Education Support Case Manager is assigned to assist the class teacher with this. The Case Manager and class teacher will work together to develop an individual program that specifically meets the needs of each student.
Students may be withdrawn from class individually or in groups, or may be assisted in the classroom by extra staff. The Case Managers may also recommend follow-ups that can be completed at home. Communication with parents always precedes education support work.
Enrichment Education
NBCS offers Enrichment Education in Primary. Every class has students who have already mastered various concepts. Class teachers plan literacy and numeracy programs with this in mind. Whilst focus is given to the core group of students working on their grade/stage outcomes, specific work that enriches and extends more able students is planned in all English and Mathematics lessons.
Technology-enhanced Learning
The Primary Years at NBCS are strengthened by a strategic focus on developing online course work and activities. There is a focus on ensuring that all students become digitally literate, as technology is used in the classroom to teach, learn and discover in authentic and enriching ways.
The Primary Education Through e-Learning environment (PETE) is used to introduce a number of thinking tools to students, with web quests, interactive games to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills, and a huge range of websites and learning tools, homework and access to letters that have been sent home.
Each classroom across Primary has a Multimedia console installed, including a large-screen projector, computer and sound system. A large number of computers are available to every class in adjacent rooms and in each classroom, as well as access to Secondary’s specialist computer labs.