Learning

At Glenorie Public School, we are committed to explicitly teaching a high-quality English program aligned with the NSW Curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Our students actively engage with a diverse range of written, spoken, and visual texts to systematically develop essential literacy skills, collaborate with peers, and express their own ideas clearly and thoughtfully.

We implement core units delivered through evidence-based teaching practices, ensuring our approach is grounded in the latest research and best practice. English lessons are carefully structured to explicitly develop students’ phonics knowledge, handwriting, spelling, decoding, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, expression, and public speaking skills. Students are also taught to listen actively, participate in meaningful discussions, and write confidently across various genres, including narrative, informative, and persuasive texts.

We embed explicit chunking and sequencing learning, gradual release of responsibility, connecting learning and effective feedback, and the use of mini-whiteboards to enhance knowledge, mastery, critical thinking, and deep engagement with the English language.

At Glenorie Public School, we are committed to explicitly teaching a high-quality mathematics program aligned with the NSW Curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6. Our mathematics lessons cover the three key strands: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Space, and Statistics and Probability, with an overarching focus on working mathematically, encouraging students to problem solve, reason, represent, and communicate their mathematical thinking confidently.

At the start of every lesson, Learning Intentions and Success Criteria are shared, so students know exactly what they are learning, why it is important, and what success looks like. Our teaching follows the Gradual Release of Responsibility model, where students move from guided learning to independent work as they build confidence. Teachers continuously check student work, provide timely feedback, and address any misunderstandings promptly.

Differentiation is a key part of our approach, ensuring every student is appropriately challenged. Students who need extra support, whether identified by the teacher or requested by the student, receive targeted assistance.  They may stay with the teacher for extra guidance or progress to independent tasks when ready. This structured and supportive approach fosters deep understanding, fluency, and problem-solving skills across all areas of mathematics.

At Glenorie Public School, our HSIE programs engage and motivate students through rich classroom learning experiences, guided by the NSW syllabus from Kindergarten to Year 6. Throughout HSIE, students build critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills as they explore real-world issues and develop informed perspectives about their own community, Australia, and the wider world.

In History, students investigate significant events, people, and stories from the past, including a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. They develop skills in asking questions, researching, analysing sources, and understanding cause and effect.

In Geography, students examine places, environments and the relationships between people and the natural world. They learn to observe, represent and interpret spatial information, and consider how people can care for places sustainably.

Aligned with the NSW Curriculum, Glenorie Public School’s science and technology programs build on students’ natural curiosity and explore the natural and designed world. Students develop scientific and technological skills by engaging in hands-on investigations, exploring evidence, questioning the world around them, and applying their learning to real-world problems.

Learning about science and technology provides a framework for students to know, understand and make sense of the world.  Students are encouraged to embrace new concepts and learn to observe, develop testable questions, and test and evaluate ideas to refine their understanding. Linking traditional and contemporary knowledge enables students to make meaningful connections with everyday lives and strengthen cultural awareness.

Students are provided with opportunities to develop technological literacy skills through the use of digital technologies, and the design and production of creative solutions.

At Glenorie Public School, our PDHPE program is designed to support the health, safety, wellbeing and physical development of every student.

During health lessons, students learn to build respectful relationships, remain safe offline and online, understand their personal identity, and develop self-management and interpersonal skills. They also complete the mandatory Child Protection unit required by the Department of Education.

Students also participate in the The Resilience Project, a wellbeing program that builds positive mental health by developing three key habits: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM). Through activities, stories and reflections, students learn to recognise positive moments, understand others’ feelings and stay calm. The program equips children with lifelong skills to cope with challenges, build strong relationships and develop a resilient mindset.

Participation in enjoyable physical activities builds student confidence, coordination, and fitness and encourages a lifelong love of movement and healthy living. Students develop their fundamental movement skills, with an emphasis on fair play and teamwork.

At Glenorie Public School, the Creative Arts K-6 curriculum delivery and extracurricular activities give students the opportunity to explore and develop their skills and passion across visual arts, music, drama, and dance.

Through our creative art programs students develop essential skills in appreciating, composing, making, performing, and responding to the arts in ways that foster creativity, imagination, and confidence.

Students have opportunities to develop and showcase their creative potential through craft club, band, choir, dance groups and drama productions. These inclusive experiences build confidence, celebrate talent and foster strong connections within the school community.

Students at Glenorie Public School participate in one Italian lesson per week, following the NSW Italian K-6 Syllabus.

They develop essential language skills, including interacting, creating texts, and understanding texts. Students practise using Italian to communicate with others, ask and answer questions, share ideas, and express opinions, which helps build confidence and fluency.

They also produce their own texts, applying vocabulary and language patterns to express ideas clearly and creatively. In addition, students develop their ability to interpret meaning, recognise cultural references, and think critically in the language.

At Glenorie Public School, Special Religious Education (SRE) is delivered every Wednesday from 10:50 am to 11:30 am for students in Kindergarten to Year 6.

Upon enrolment, parents and carers are provided with a SRE participation letter to indicate their child's preferred option. Any changes to a child’s SRE enrolment must be submitted in writing to glenorie-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

The following options are available at Glenorie Public School:

• Combined Christian SRE is provided by Dural District Anglican Church through the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.

  For more information about the authorised curriculum, visit: https://whysre.com.au/sre-curriculm/cep-curriculum-overviewopen_in_new

• Catholic SRE is provided by St Benedict’s Catholic Church, Arcadia, through the Diocese of Parramatta.

  To view the curriculum and teaching materials, visit:
  https://ccd.sydneycatholic.org/publications/curriculum-resourcesopen_in_new

• Non-Scripture is available for students who do not attend SRE. During this time, students are supervised in a separate space and participate in alternate, meaningful activities supervised by a teacher.

• Ethics is available for some grades and is provided by qualified volunteers through Primary Ethics. To view the curriculum and teaching materials, visit: https://primaryethics.com.au/

At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.

We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.

Learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.