Enrichment Programs
Classroom Programs
Our programs are geared to cater for the individual needs of the students and take into consideration that students have different skills (intelligences), interests and abilities.
Enrichment Programs @ GWSPS
Each year at Glen Waverley South Primary School students have the opportunity to participate in additional enrichment classes that provide other valuable learning opportunities.
Students will have access to be involved in the following classes:
- Physical Education
- Performing Arts
- Information Communication Technology (ICT)
- Visual Arts (Art Sparks)
- Japanese 'Hiragana Rainbow Challenge'
- Numeracy
The teachers leading these sessions have devised programs that will provide a very rich learning environment. Over the next few weeks I will outline what each program entails. A very exciting year ahead!
Performing Arts
Dance Club
Dance club is an opportunity for students to extend their performance knowledge through movement. Students will be exposed to the elements of dance and given skills and techniques to enhance their movement. During dance club students will experience the dance making process of improvisation as well as planning their own dance works through choreography. They will be exposed to various styles of dance and apply this knowledge to their own dance works. Students will be given opportunities to perform their work to others and learn important dance preparation, including warming up, using movement across a range of body parts and using controlled breathing.
Mini Movers
Mini Movers provides our younger students with a fun and exciting dance experience. They will be encouraged to use various body parts for movement, learn simple dance routines and gain a greater understanding of how their body moves. Students will also be given the opportunity to express themselves through movement.
Choir
The choir provides an opportunity for students to perform for others in a fun and creative environment. Students will be encouraged to perform songs of various genres as well as learning about accompanying music to enhance a performance. The choir is a further extension of the music program being completed in Performing Arts sessions.
ICT Extension Program
Glen Waverley South Primary School offers Information and Communication Technology (ICT) extension opportunities to students through our Global Learning Centre. Students of all abilities will have the opportunity to enhance their skills through this program.
Using the classroom curriculum alongside the Digital Excellence Awards program, the extension group will focus on the development of specific software and technology skills. Students within this group may become Digital Experts and will be provided with opportunities in their classrooms to reinforce and share their knowledge by working with and explaining to peers in small group situations.
Mathematical Magicians
Mathematical Magicians is specifically created for those students who are excelling in and enjoying mathematics. The class comes under the Standard of ‘Working Mathematically’ in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. It encourages students to extend their strategies for solving problems and helps to develop their mental math abilities. Students will engage in investigations that integrate deeper thinking and logical reasoning in order to come to a solution. Classes will be held on a Friday morning for 45 minutes and students will be invited to attend from Levels 3 and 4. Level 1 and 2 students will be involved in this program later in the year. The students who are invited to attend will be notified by the middle of next week.
LOTE Enrichment Hiragana Rainbow Challenge
Every student has the opportunity to take control of their learning of Japanese. Students will be able to go for a reading award conducted during Thursday lunchtime at a specified time. The aim is to get the students able to read the whole hiragana chart once reached the end of the rainbow levels. Students have the opportunity to take home practise cards for each level and there are 10 levels the students can go for. They receive an award every time and a prize at the end. The Hiragana Rainbow Challenge is optional for all students from Prep to Year 6.
Physical Education: Motor Skills Support and Extension Physical Education
Motor Skill Support - The purpose of the Motor Skill Support sessions is to develop the gross motor skills in young students who have faced difficulties in their progress. Having these students work together, in a supportive and non competitive environment will allow them to focus on their own development rather than worry about their performance compared to others.
The activities will be guided by the needs of the selected students, however, the basic lessons will target the listed areas.
- Hand eye coordination activities
- Hand foot coordination activities
- Throwing & catching skills
- Striking skills
- Spatial awareness
- Movement patterns
- Basic fitness
- Basic game strategies
Extension
The purpose of the extension group is to target those students who have been able to perform their motor skills to a very high standard in Physical Education and sport. By grouping these students together, there is the potential to further extend their ability by all working towards refining their techniques and understandings. This program will give the students a much greater understanding of how they can further develop their own skills at an advanced rate.
The activities will be guided by the area of expertise and interest of the selected students, with a focus on the listed areas.
- Video analysis
- Skill refinement
- Fitness training (relevant components for sport of interest)
- Complex strategies
Visual Arts
This program provides an opportunity to develop their skills in the Visual Arts and explore the world of art through the eyes of an artist and critic. After consultation between the visual arts teacher and Level 3 and 4 class teachers has taken place, students who have shown enthusiasm, dedication and artistic potential in the Visual Arts will be invited to attend the program which will be held every Thursday morning between 10am and 11am. The Art Sparks program meets VELS standards in the areas of creating and making and exploring and responding and will also require students to do the following:
- Establish and work towards meeting personal learning goals
- Cultivate higher order thinking through the discussion, analysis and assessment of artworks and art movements.
- Build an awareness of the role and the importance of art in the community and in different cultures.
- Gain an understanding of and ability to value their own artistic abilities and those of others.
- Explore processes that require students to communicate ideas, stories and emotions visually.
- Obtain skills in solution finding and problem solving.
- Work co-operatively in groups, and independently on individual tasks.
Competitions
Various programs outside the normal classroom activities cater for needs of students with special abilities and/or students that require extension. These programs have included extension maths classes before school, participation in challenging competitions and programs e.g. Gateways Program, Australian Schools’ Competitions, Art competitions, Poetry competitions and various sports competitions.
Lunch time Clubs
Lunch time clubs during the year have included Japanese classes for beginners, origami and dance classes.
Tutor Music Program
Students can learn to play violin, piano, keyboard, guitar and bass guitar. Tuition is offered by expert tutors. If the need arises and there are sufficient students who are interested, we will try to provide tutors for flute, clarinet and drumming.
School Musical
Every second year all students participate in a whole school musical. In 2011 we had the very successful "The 20th Annual Caliope Awards". Previous musical have included ; "You can do it - The musical." This original musical reinforced the foundations of the You Can Do It Program.
