Junior School program
Transition to Year 6 Shaping new attitudes to learning
The Haileybury Rendall School program provides an exciting and enriching curriculum for all students. It builds resilient and independent learners with skills in creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.
Our teaching approach is tailored to suit all year levels. We develop core literacy and numeracy skills through explicit instruction in the junior years, while in the middle years we move to a combination of explicit instruction and student-centred learning. As students enter their senior years, they begin a three-year VCE program coupled with a range of subjects to suit all interests and abilities.
Ultimately, students leave Haileybury Rendall School prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, with a love for learning and with the life skills essential for success.
Our Junior School program
Junior School builds on the formative work of our Early Learning program, further shaping positive attitudes to learning and helping students understand, master and apply core skills and concepts.
Our innovative Explicit Teaching Model is central to teaching and learning. It develops problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills and guides and encourages students to make decisions, become self-sufficient, answer questions and work independently.
The Explicit Teaching Model
Our Explicit Teaching Model provides the best possible start for all Junior School students, helping them engage with, and master, core literacy and numeracy skills.
This research-based approach is supported with instruction in thinking and problem-solving and allows our younger students to thrive in all subject areas.
From guided to independent learning
The explicit instruction approach uses a research-based framework with components that include The Warm Up and ‘I Do, We Do and You Do’.
“I Do, We Do and You Do’ is the teaching and learning process that builds learning and moves it from teacher modelling, through guided practice to independent practice.”
The goal is to move student learning from short-term memory and to embed long-term memory, so students are able to continually apply the knowledge they acquire. This also builds strong skills in literacy and numeracy—the foundation stones of all learning at Haileybury.
Skills are taught in-depth with the emphasis on application through problem-solving and higher order thinking. In a wider context, we guide students in developing positive and respectful relationships, setting high expectations, engaging within their classrooms and providing effective feedback.
Student development is managed through a combination of assessment, results analysis and goal setting that helps set a path of continual improvement and provide an intellectual challenge.
Developing through a varied curriculum
During their time at Junior School and through the Explicit Teaching Model, students build their knowledge and skills in Health, History, Geography and Science. Using an inquiry unit approach, they engage with, explore and learn about the world around them. Specialist lessons are provided in Art, Chinese, Computing and Digital Technology, Drama, Music and Physical Education.
In Years 5 and 6, the program becomes more discipline-based with more time allocated to specialist subjects. Science and Humanities are taught as separate subjects and students also study Visual Art, Computing and Digital Technology, Drama and Music.
Providing Learning Support
Learning Support programs are arranged for students with specific needs and the development of Educational Adjustment Plans is monitored by the Head of Individual Needs with assistance from specialist staff.
Learning Support programs may be short-term or ongoing, depending on the needs of the student and they provide support or extension to students with all levels of ability.
Ensuring wellbeing
Our Pastoral Care program permeates all areas of school life and provides strategies for girls and boys to develop academically, socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Haileybury Rendall School values each student: individual needs are a priority and personal backgrounds are considered in all aspects of the curriculum. A caring and supportive atmosphere helps foster each student’s potential.
In Junior School classes, the homeroom teacher is the key person and first point of contact for parents. Each teacher is supported by senior staff including the Head and Deputy Heads of Junior School, the Wellbeing Coordinators, School Counsellor, our Inclusion and Support team and other key personnel.
Co-Curricular activities
A variety of co-curricular activities are provided to develop the personal talents and skills of students. All students are members of a House and are involved in House competitions. The House system creates opportunities for vertical grouping, leadership and for participation in sporting, cultural and social service events within the School.
There are many opportunities for students to develop as performers in Junior School. Everyone is encouraged to participate in performances including assemblies, concerts and whole-of-School events.
Further information
For greater insight into our approach to teaching in the Junior School, please download the 2024 Junior School Information Booklet. This informative document also includes details on the full Junior School curriculum and the list of subjects taught.
