Specialist Programs

Gifted and Talented Program

The overall aim of our Gifted and Talented program is to identify gifted and talented students at Cherrybrook Public School and to maximise their learning outcomes.  This is achieved through:

• Early identification of  gifted and talented students in the school population through group testing and      teacher recommendation beginning at the end of Kindergarten.

• Class and grade groupings which provide a focus on extension and enrichment of the curriculum including differentiating class programs and the formation of challenge classes across Year 1 to Year 6.

• Providing a vast variety of extension and enrichment extra curricula opportunities for gifted students to demonstrate their talents and realise their potential.

Library

The library supports the educational programs of the school, providing access to a range of instructional and recreational materials. Class teachers and the Teacher/Librarian work together to assist students in the development of information skills, thereby encouraging independence in the learning process. All students have a regular library lesson each week.

The library is also open from 8.30am each morning and during the second half lunch period. During these times students are encouraged to visit the library to browse. They may exchange and borrow books. Students wishing to borrow books to take home must have a library bag to help protect the library books. Books must be returned by the due date.

Computers

All students, K-6, have a 40 minute lesson in the computer laboratory each week. Class teachers team-teach with the computer coordinator in the computer laboratory. The school is fully networked and all classes have access to the Internet and intranet from classrooms. A wide range of software is used to complement, reinforce and extend classroom work.

Music

All classes have a 40 minute music lesson each week with a specialist music teacher. Students learn about the musical concepts of pitch, duration, structure, tone colour and dynamics through singing, playing percussion instruments, moving, creating and listening to music.

Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

All classes have a 40 minute Mandarin lesson each week with a specialist teacher. Students learn about Chinese culture and learn to listen to, speak, read and write in Mandarin.

Public Speaking
Children in all grades participate in speaking activities, from news in Kindergarten to formal and impromptu speech making in higher grades.  Year 6 children all experience parliamentary style debating in an interclass competition.  Our school participates in the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition each year with great success. Students have won district finals and progressed to regional finals in 2002 and 2003.

Gym
A trained gymnastics coach from the Epping YMCA teaches gymnastics to students in Kindergarten. Gymnastics develops balance, strength, flexibility and co-ordination and is included in the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Syllabus.
 

Excursions

Excursions are an integral part of the educational program. They also have social value.  Students in all grades participate in day excursions throughout the year. Often parents are invited to assist.  In Years 5 and 6 students sometimes participate in overnight excursions and school camps.

© Copyright 2008 by Cherrybrook Public School     Page designed by Barry Sumpton     Updated 11/18/09