Learning

There are six key learning areas (or subjects) studied throughout all primary schools in NSW. This includes public and private schools.

English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts and Human Society and Its Environment (History and Geography). You can find more information about these key learning areas on the NSW Education Standards Authority website.

At the beginning of each term, our classroom teachers email parents an outline detailing what students will be learning in the upcoming term across these six subjects. This outline provides insights into the specific topics, activities, and projects that will be covered, helping parents to engage with their children’s learning and support them at home. This collaborative approach ensures that families are informed and involved in the educational journey.

Why choose us for your child’s learning?

Strong academic foundations

Literacy and numeracy are the foundations for all future learning. Our highly trained teachers use evidence based learning programs and teaching strategies to ensure children hves a year worth of growth for a year worth of learning.

Using the evidence based Grow Your Mind program, our school supports the social and emotional development of every student.

At Bourke Street, we focus on a growing a character strength each week and learning about how our brains work so that we can make the best decisions that keep us healthy, happy and safe.

Inclusive and personalised learning

Three times each term our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs and learning pace.

During these planning days, teachers review and update learning programs to ensure students are challenged, supported and engaged.

Extension opportunities

Some students are ready for more challenges. At Bourke Street, we don't remove these students from the classroom. Instead, we equip our teachers with specific teaching strategies to extend content (what is taught) and cognition (how you think about it). This is how we help students to reach their full potential.

What students learn

Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.

Our subjects

Explore how we teach the NSW curriculum through key learning areas.

English
Mathematics
HSIE (History & Geography)
Science & Technology
PDHPE (Personal Development, Health, Physical Education)

CAPA (Creative & Performing Arts)

Religion and ethics

At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.

When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.

You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).

For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.

Inspire – High potential and gifted education

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.

Our learning approach

Bourke Street teachers use explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.

Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies and take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.

Helping students progress

We support every student’s academic progress by:

keeping uninterrupted literacy and numeracy blocks in classrooms 5 days a week
checking their progress weekly and giving clear and timely feedback
holding parent/teacher/student conferences early in the year to establish learning goals
reporting twice per year on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
differentiating lessons so that learners are challenged to learn while finding success
making wellbeing part of everyday learning
working with families to support learning at home and school
helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.

Learn more about additional learning support at our school.

Want to know more about our subjects?

We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.

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Our principal and staff

Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.