Curriculum

​​​Mater Dei Catholic Primary School prides itself on providing a quality inclusive Catholic Education that promotes excellence and equity for all students. We focus on combining the use of the Australian and RE Curriculums with quality differentiated pedagogy and engaging learning experiences. 

At Mater Dei we believe in a holistic education that, through the lens of Christ, inspires and challenges each person to flourish in our community and in an ever-changing world.

The Australian Curriculum underpins our teaching and learning; however, through the implementation of inquiry learning, flexible learning spaces, SMART goals and promoting a growth mindset for learning (e.g. the learning pit), we endeavour to provide opportunities for all children to excel:

  • ​All students at Mater Dei are aware of the visible learning concepts of 'learning intentions' and 'success criteria' that help them develop as independent learners. 
  • Prep has a focus on play-based learning and social interaction as a context for learning. Prep students also engage in cycles of inquiry learning that stretch and challenge learners. At Mater Dei, our educators understand a successful Prep beginning is critical in cultivating a love for learning, that sets the course for a child's attitude and approach to formal Primary education. It is for this reason that Play-Based Learning, a proven early-learning philosophy that lays a strong foundation for learning success, is an integral part of our early years program. Engaging children through play helps them to build flexible and critical thinking processes including developing empathy, collaborating, problem solving, analysing, evaluating, adaptability, creativity and reflection on learning, now deemed essential qualities of the 21st century learner. For further information click on the following link
  • Our Prep to Year 6 Classroom teachers are responsible for the Planning, Teaching, Assessing and Reporting of the following subject areas:
    • ​Religious Education
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • HPE: Health - in bands Prep; 1-2; 3-4; 5-6
    • HASS – (P-2 History & Geography; from Year 3 add Civics & Citizenship; from Year 5 add Economics & Business)
    • The Arts – Dance, Drama, Media Arts in three bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6
    • Technologies – Design & Technologies; Digital Technologies in three bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6
  • Specialist teachers are responsible for the Planning, Teaching, Assessing and Reporting of:
    • ​HPE: Physical Education – in bands Prep; 1-2; 3-4; 5-6

    • Languages (French) - in bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6
      Our Vision for Languages:
      At Mater Dei, learning languages produces holistic​, inclusive, adaptable global citizens who are aware of their and others cultural identity and are able to communicate successfully within and beyond their community.​

    • The Arts: Visual Arts - in bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6
    • The Arts: Music – in bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6

 All teachers plan using the Australian Curriculum.

​From Prep to Year 6 at Mater Dei, we like to think differently and challenge our learners in new ways. Through design thinking and inquiry learning our students collaborate, play, design, create, test, research, present and reflect.  This teaching and learning ensure our students develop empathy, make connections to the real world and problem-solve to contribute positively as global citizens. Inquiry and design thinking allow learning to occur in a multi-disciplinary and multi-age environment. At Mater Dei, we have created an Inquiry Model for learning underpinned by the Model of Pedagogy. To view the Mater Dei Inquiry Model click on the following Link

At Mater Dei we have multi-age classes; Middle Primary (MP) made up of Year 3 & 4 students and Senior Primary (SP) made up of Year 5 & 6 students. Our Year 6 leaders are also addressed as our Senior Leaders. The main benefit of a multi-age arrangement is that learning is put at the centre, both socially and academically. The older students in the class help teach the younger students by modelling more sophisticated, complex problem-solving and critical thinking. This also allows them to organically learn about leadership, mentoring and collaboration. The younger children can seek guidance from older students rather than having to rely solely on assistance from an adult. This not only enriches their learning experience but also allows them to develop independence and to feel secure in their capabilities. Multi-age classrooms cultivate a child-led learning environment where students can develop a lifelong love of learning.

Students within multi-age classrooms are taught the curriculum of their year level or band in all subject areas every year. Inquiry questions are based on the overarching key concepts in the HASS curriculum, which ensures that different key concepts are taught across a two-year cycle.​