Curriculum

At St John's we follow the eight key learning areas of the Queensland school curriculum - English, Mathematics, Science,
SOSE, LOTE, HPE, The Arts, Technology - as well as teaching the Lutheran Schools Christian Studies program.
A computer and library skills program is offered from Prep to Year 7. In addition, we run individualised and group
support and extension programmes.

Several new initiatives have recently been introduced at the school.
 An exciting new initiative has been the installation of interactive whiteboards, in the classrooms. These interactive
whiteboards are a popular addition to the classrooms for students and teachers. They bring the latest technology
to the classroom, with teachers being able to incorporate many interesting and colourful activities to enhance the learning
environment. Through the use of the whiteboards and laptops in the classrooms, the children are being engaged on a daily
basis with technology and developing their skills in this area.
Children at St John’s have the opportunity to participate in a specialist Arts program. Children from Prep to Year 7 spend
time each week taking part in lessons that feature an area of the arts. These lessons are linked to classroom learning but focus
 on developing the creative skills associated with the arts. Students have enjoyed sessions of drama, music and visual arts.
The junior school participation in the music programme includes recorder lessons for the Year 3 classes.
In the worship program of the school various values are being highlighted, with a different value being presented at school devotion
 each week, with emphasis on how we as individuals and as a school community can show that we embrace these values in our lives.
Students at St John's participate in Year 2 Diagnostic Net and Year 3, 5, 7 standarised tests each year. (See School Data for results.

Integrated Curriculum Guiding Principles

At St. John's a whole school integrated curriculum program is implemented. The children study topics that include a range of curriculum
areas. Through our integrated program, the children are encouraged to become life long learners, and are taught skills necessary to
continue learning once they have left school.   
The children are provided with experiences that allow the children to develop their abilities to:  
acquire information and make it meaningful through being

active investigators
complex and creative thinkers

and to be:

effective communicators
reflective learners and contributors

within the context of a Christian world view.

We believe that a Whole School Integrated Curriculum Plan is the best framework to empower students of all abilities, backgrounds and
gender to develop these attributes. For this to happen, a curriculum plan needs to be rich in meaningful concepts that allow students to
explore their relationships, their world, their past and future and their beliefs and values. We have identified eight key rich concepts that
underpin our planning.

These are:
                            Environment
                            Relationships
                            Design and Purpose
                            Energy and Movement
                            Past, Present and Future
                            Diversity
                            Customs and Rituals
                            Values and Beliefs

Extra-Curricular Activities

The School actively involves itself in the community through choirs, show displays, Peanut Festival involvement and other events such as
fundraising for Blue Care, South Burnett Palliative Care Unit and the Queensland Cancer fund. We also support a child through World Vision.
Instrumental Program:- The school offers access to a instrumental program which includes a weekly ensemble practice and small group lessons.
Instruments taught currently include saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, flute and percussion.  Students are able to sit for music examinations
for all Grades for most instruments, and are encouraged to participate in the local eisteddfod and performances at school, church and other
community events.

Other Activities:- Arts Council or similar performers regularly visit the school, with several performances held a year. 
Excursions to various local places of note that relate to topics studied by the children are organised within individual classes.
Extra curricular activities such as sporting activities, choir singing, dance, verse speaking and whip cracking are also offered.
Supervised lunch time activities are organised in the undercover area.

Active After-School Communities:- The Australian Government in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission has provided funds available
to primary schools to run Active After-school communities. St John's was one of three schools successful in their application for this program in this
region this term. The Active After-school Community program is a new and exciting physical activity program for Australian primary school aged children.
The program provides increased opportunities for children to be physically active, improve motor skill development and provide opportunities for
participation in safe, fun and supervised activities during the after school hours. At St John's the program is operating three afternoons a week and has
been well attended by all age groups.
The Active After-school Community Program is free to all children. It is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to building a healthy, active
Australia.

We have an effective Buddy system whereby children from younger classes are paired with children from older classes. This enables Preschool and
Year One children to be more involved in the activities of the school.

Assessment and Reporting

Each child’s progress is assessed regularly. Every class teacher keeps a record of this so that parents can be informed when necessary. Written reports
are sent home twice yearly and personal interviews may also be arranged.

Staff Development Priorities for the Year

A Restorative Justice program is currently being implemented throughout the school.