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 pedagogies and engaging learning experiences. 

At Mater Dei we believe in a holistic education that, through the lens of Christ, inspires and challenges all students to become the best versions of themselves in our community and in an ever-changing world.

All phases of schooling at Mater Dei are underpinned by Brisbane Catholic Education’s Learning and Teaching Framework and The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019). The Alice Springs (Mparntwe - pronounced as 'M- ban-tua') Education Declaration​

sets the national vision for education for all Australians and notes two goals: ​

 

  1. Goal 1. The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity; and

  1. Goal 2. All young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community. 

 

Curriculum design and delivery at Mater Dei is grounded in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration and is mindful of the declaration’s goals. In alignment with the declaration, which promotes excellence and equity, we support students to achieve high standards and provide structures and adjusted strategies that enable equitable learning experiences. This is achieved within a faith-filled learning environment in which we are committed to supporting students to become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners and active and informed members of the community. 

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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, we endeavour to provide opportunities for all children to excel by:

  • ​Making learning visible by implementing 'learning intentions' and 'success criteria' that support students in developing  as independent learners. 
  • Focussing on play-based learning and social interactions as a context for learning in Prep. 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, Visual Arts, and Media Arts in three bands P-2; 3-4; 5-6
    • Technologies – Design & Technologies; and 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, Drama, Dance and Media 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 Version 9.

​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 in Senior Primary (SP) consisting 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. ​