Reservoir West Primary School provides Foundation – Year Six students with additional Specialist lessons to enhance general knowledge, spark curiosity, promote passion, innovation and creativeness and to ensure the breadth of the Victorian Curriculum is provided.

Physical Education

Physical Education classes aim to create a positive and enjoyable environment, fostering a love for physical activity while laying the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. Physical Education classes for our Junior School students are specifically tailored to cover a range of age-appropriate activities. Their classes focus on developing fundamental motor skills such as running, jumping, and throwing.  Senior students engage in a range of exercises, basic sports drills, and cooperative games that not only enhance physical fitness but also promote teamwork and social interaction.

We cover a range of different sports such as, Team-based ball sports including, Netball, Basketball and Volleyball. Forehand striking including, Cricket, Tennis and Tee Ball and Ball Handling including, Soccer and Football. Through a diverse range of activities, our primary PE program strives to make physical education an integral and enjoyable part of their overall educational experience.

Spanish/Music

At Reservoir West Primary School, our Spanish and Music program is an immersive and innovative journey that intertwines language acquisition with the world of music.

From the early years in junior school to the senior years, our students embark on a unique exploration where they not only learn Spanish through music but also delve into the art of learning and creating music in Spanish.

In the junior school, students begin their linguistic and musical journey by acquiring basic vocabulary related to day-to-day experiences. Greetings, numbers, colours, body parts, weather, animals, descriptions, food, places, and cultural features of the Spanish-speaking world are seamlessly integrated into song lyrics, rhymes, chants, actions, instrumental music, and music theory. The connection between language and music enhances comprehension and retention, making learning a joyous and interactive experience.

As students progress into the senior years, the complexity of concepts and content increases. Basic conversational and creative skills develop, fostering confidence in expressing themselves both in the Spanish language and through musical expression. Research and inquiry-focused activities further deepen their understanding of both disciplines.

Digital technologies play a pivotal role in our program, providing students with opportunities to engage in music creation and Spanish language practice through various applications.

Instrumental music is also a key component, with students exploring instruments such as the ukulele, guitar, drums, percussion and tuned percussion. Students also learn new skills using Solfege and the Kodaly Method.

Beyond the classroom, our curriculum extends to creative projects, incursions, workshops, and multidisciplinary endeavours led by professional guest artists. Arts and craft activities are seamlessly integrated into language acquisition and musical skills development, enriching the overall learning experience.

Our commitment to an holistic education is evident in the array of extra-curricular activities offered. Students can participate in Rock Band, Junior, Middle and Senior Choir, Spanish extension classes, Drum Circle, and Music writing, composition, and production. These activities not only enhance language and musical skills but also foster a sense of identity, community and teamwork.

At Reservoir West Primary School, the Spanish and Music program goes beyond conventional boundaries, creating a dynamic and enriching educational experience where language and music converge, empowering students to embrace a global perspective and develop a lifelong passion for both Spanish and the art of music.

Visual Arts

At the primary school level, the Art subject is a vibrant exploration encompassing the diverse realms of art, craft, and design. In Visual Arts, students embark on a creative journey, crafting visual artworks that serve as vehicles for communication, challenges to conventional thinking, and expressions of both personal and communal ideas.

For children, Art becomes a playground of expression, where their ideas and imagination find a voice. Encouraging experimentation with unfamiliar materials and the exploration of new methods and techniques, this process not only nurtures artistic skill but also cultivates self-confidence and decision-making abilities crucial for their future growth.

Through the lens of Visual Arts, students develop critical and creative thinking, acquiring proficiency in selecting, manipulating, and adapting materials and techniques to bring their conceptual and perceptual understandings to life. Painting, drawing and sculpture stand as tangible examples of the visual art forms that captivate through the sense of sight.

Learning in Visual Arts is an immersive experience that extends beyond the classroom. Students actively create and respond to artworks, drawing inspiration from the world around them. Engaging with the rich tapestry of visual arts knowledge, they develop skills, techniques, and processes while exploring a diverse range of forms, styles, and contexts.

When reflecting on their work, students learn to critically analyse their own experiences and responses to the work of artists, craftspeople, and designers, gradually developing their own arts knowledge and preferences. With growing sophistication, they learn to express and communicate experiences through and about visual arts, fostering a refined understanding of artistic expression.

Science

The science program at Reservoir West Primary School provides students with the opportunity to experience exciting, hands-on learning, based on the 5E teaching and learning model. This evidence-based approach allows students to draw on their prior knowledge, pose questions, participate in hands-on learning experiences, conduct investigations, and develop explanations about scientific concepts. Our learning model progresses through five phases during each unit of work: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate. 

Students participate in units of work focusing on Science Understandings in biological science, chemical science, earth and space science and physical science. All units have an overarching goal of equipping students with the appreciation of how scientific knowledge has developed over time and will continue to do so, as well as valuing how important science is in our everyday lives.

Reservoir West Primary School aims to instill a passion for science within our students, placing them in an advantageous position for future studies, as well as equipping them with the skills to think critically about the ever-changing world around them. 

DigiTech

Teaching in Digital Technology (DigiTech) involves instructing students in the use and understanding of digital tools, technologies, and skills. This educational domain focuses on fostering digital literacy, computational thinking, and problem-solving abilities. In DigiTech, educators aim to prepare students for the technologically driven world by covering topics such as coding, computer science, information technology, and digital citizenship. The curriculum often incorporates hands-on activities, project-based learning, and the exploration of emerging technologies to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a digital society. Additionally, DigiTech education emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, encouraging students to become proficient users and creators of technology rather than mere consumers.

Library

The school’s library is a highly valued resource that serves as a hub for learning, offering resources, guidance, and a supportive environment for students to explore, discover, and enhance their educational experiences.

The library is a space that provides a range of books, texts and literature resources for use by students and staff. It is developed to facilitate student borrowing, to provide resources that can be borrowed and used in the classroom libraries.

Students can engage in a variety of activities in their library lessons, making it a multifaceted space that supports their academic and personal development.

• select and borrow library books of personal interest
• access books or other texts on class topics
• engage with a diverse range of books
• read independently for pleasure
• share stories and experiences on books read
• explore authors, illustrators and their journey in writing and creating books
• to build their knowledge bank around their community, country and the world
• visit the library during lunchtimes to read or engage in story time sessions
• engage and participate in Book Week activities and celebrations