Learning
We want our students to love learning and to be excited about the world around them. We are proud of our caring teachers and our programs and facilities that promote our students’ learning and physical and emotional well-being.
Our openness to new ideas and educational research initiatives ensures that our curriculum stays rigorous and lively.
Literacy
At Brunswick South West Primary School, our literacy program lays the foundation for a lifelong love of language. The Victorian English Curriculum consists of three domains: Reading, Speaking and Listening and Writing.
Reading
At Brunswick South West Primary School teachers use a systematic phonics program in grade F - 2. This involves daily practice of hearing sounds, saying sounds, reading words and writing words.
The phonics program is complemented with the Reader’s Workshop Model, which is an instructional model followed throughout all year levels. The foundation of our instructional model is the gradual release of responsibility. Teachers explicitly teach and model skills and provide opportunities for students to engage, respond and collaborate during supervised practise before independent application of skills by students. Students participate in teacher-led small group instruction weekly to ensure all students are getting targeted teaching at their point of need. At all year levels, classrooms are equipped with rich libraries from which students select books for their personal “book box” from which they read during daily independent reading time. Students also visit the school Library to participate in a structured program and personal borrowing.
Writing
The Writing program complements Reading, as students record
written responses to text, learn about genre and text structure through analysing high quality “mentor texts” and create their own texts by selecting features they have become familiar with through reading. The writing genres are taught in alignment with Humanities, Science and Technologies units that are focussed on topics that change Termly, and cover History, Geography and Science.
Speaking and Listening
Throughout their time at school, students’ speaking and listening skills are nurtured daily. Across the school, regular Yarning Circles allow time to share and respond to ideas on a range of topics, while the daily Acknowledgement of Country is performed by the whole class or by individuals. In the Junior School, Show and Tell, Songs and Rhymes and Buddy Reading develop confidence and clarity, while Senior School students share presentations, participate in class debates and have opportunities to present at Assembly.
Students Say
Literacy
BSWPS, literacy is a fun learning experience. Throughout the school year, we explore different topics that encourage us to expand our reading and writing skills and we always find some style of learning that we like. I’ve always felt very supported and in my six years as a BSWPS student, I’ve learned a lot. From learning to sing the alphabet in prep, to now in grade five, having the ability to write beautiful overarching storylines, it’s been a fun and educational experience.
Written by
Archie
Numeracy
At BSWPS, our Mathematics program lays the foundations for understanding mathematical ideas, knowledge and skills that students will draw on throughout their lives. Students engage in teacher-led instruction, small-group activities and independent learning. Across the school we cover the curriculum areas Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability (commencing at Level 3).
Our teaching practice is based on current research that recommends repeated exposure to Mathematical concepts over time. This allows students ample practice as they work towards a deep understanding of the concepts. Our classrooms make use of a range of concrete materials (e.g. counters, blocks, cards and base ten blocks) to support the learning of Mathematics. Students engage in hands-on and practical learning that embeds Mathematics in everyday experiences as well as focused practice to develop fluency.
Students learn explicit problem solving strategies and are taught to apply a "growth mindset” to their Mathematics learning and to reflect on their learning as they work towards achieving individual goals.
In the senior school, students may have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition, Maths Olympiad and may be selected for participation in the Victorian High Achievement Program (VHAP).
Students Say
Our Mathematics Program
At BSWPS we have a very inclusive, understanding and supportive learning environment, with Maths in particular the teachers and staff always take into consideration all students' learning needs, those who excel; and those who need extra support. Our school has a broad variety of different abilities, so we often have students in the same year level and class doing different work and learning at different paces; but our school celebrates that, and it exposes students to a variety of different ways of learning from a young age.
We have a great range of programs for high achieving students including Maths Olympiad, a fun and engaging, optional competition full of unusual and challenging questions that students have to work together to solve, and gain a broader understanding of problem solving; and VHAP, a ten week course for high achieving students to engage with like-minded children across the state to extend themselves through zoom and work with teachers on projects that extends them.
Written By
Emilia
Visual Arts
Every class has an Art session each week for two terms a year with our specialist art teacher in a dedicated art room. Our Art classes provide the opportunity for students to learn about cultures, traditions, artists and different creative techniques and materials. Art contributes to our students’ development as confident and creative individuals able to express, represent and communicate their own ideas.
Chinese
“Ni Hao [你好 “hello”] and welcome to the Chinese Program!
At Brunswick South West Primary School, we offer Mandarin Chinese as our language program. Our students study Chinese once a week and our lessons are based on a functional and task-oriented curriculum. This approach helps students acquire practical language skills that they can use in their day-to-day lives.
In the Chinese program, students focus on developing language skills as well as cultural understanding. We incorporate Chinese songs and engaging activities in each lesson to foster a passion for language learning.
We intentionally integrate ICT to develop students’ digital literacy in Chinese. Students use computers to type Chinese characters (Pinyin input), create multimedia tasks, record speaking activities, and collaborate online. This helps them understand how language is used in modern digital communication and prepares them for further education and the future workforce.
Aside from academic skills, students also learn a variety of cultural practices such as using chopsticks, making traditional crafts, playing Chinese hacky-sack, and exploring elements of martial arts as they progress through the year levels.
We understand the importance of helping our students become global citizens with a strong understanding of Australia’s neighbouring countries in Asia. Therefore, the ultimate goal of our Chinese program is to build students’ linguistic skills, digital capabilities, and intercultural competence.
Physical Education (PE)
Our students have a dedicated Physical Education class with a specialist PE teacher each week, as well as participating in other outdoor and physical activities supported by classroom teachers. In PE classes, students develop physical skills but also benefit from the many other aspects of sports participation – they have fun, develop confidence and resilience, and learn about the importance of team work and good sportsmanship. The PE program offers the opportunity to be involved in many exciting events – Inter-School Sports, Cross-Country championships, the Athletics Carnival, the Whole School swimming program, Grade 5 /6 'Open Water' and 'Life Saving' program, Basketball Victoria Hoop Time competitions (and we've won the State Championships), Victorian State team pathway try-outs, Rookie Basketball Inaugural Cup Day against a local school, Sporting Schools Australia clinics, SEDA clinics, SSV basketball and netball round robin days, Prep -2 Athletics Fun Day, Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) and student leadership through roles such as Coaching, Umpiring and Administration duties for peers and younger students.
We are lucky to have extensive grounds at our school including a large grass oval, a newly-resurfaced basketball court, artificial turf court and indoor hall with basketball court, gym and circus facilities, two gaga pits and two playground areas.
More information on the PE Program
Science
Every class participates in a weekly Science lesson with our specialist Science teacher, for one semester every year. Our Science classes provide opportunities for students to explore the natural and physical world through questioning, investigating, experimenting and problem-solving. Science nurtures curiosity and supports students to develop as critical and creative thinkers who can explain, predict and understand the world around them.
During National Science Week in August, students participate in special activities, to highlight and celebrate scientific achievements, discoveries and learning.
Library
At Brunswick South West Primary School, we are privileged to have a purpose-designed library facility and a teacher-librarian on our staff. Each class has a dedicated library session each week, with an opportunity to borrow from our collection of books. Our library collection has a focus on books by Australian creators and titles by diverse voices and perspectives. Students are encouraged to engage with books and read for pleasure and learning. Our librarians also coordinate exciting school-wide events such as Book Week activities and author visits.
Performing Arts
Our students take part in weekly performing arts sessions for two terms each year. During these sessions, they explore dance, performance, musical instruments, and physical storytelling. Performing Arts classes are designed to build students’ confidence and engage them through self-expression and play.
Our annual Arts Festival is a joyful celebration of student voice, where creativity takes centre stage. Students shine through group performances in drama, dance, music, and song, while our library transforms into a thoughtfully curated gallery featuring multiple pieces from every student in the school. It’s a vibrant, inspiring showcase of creativity and a much-loved community event.
Information Technology (IT)
Cyber Safety underpins all digital learning at Brunswick South West Primary. We teach lessons developed by the Cybersafety Project from Foundation to Grade Six. From Grade One students begin to learn coding, which continues through to Grade Six.
Every year, students are reminded of our Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Agreement, and families are asked to review and sign this document annually. This document lays out our expectation for using equipment and online spaces in a safe, responsible and respectful manner.
In the upper years, students access a Google Classroom where teachers post links and learning activities. Students use Google Docs and Slides to submit work that teachers can easily access and provide feedback on. Students can also collaborate on projects and learning activities through shared docs.
Excursions, Incursions & Camps
Incursions and Excursions take place every term in all year levels to complement the learning program. They often centre around topics students are studying for the term and involve interactive learning in specialist subjects.