Korowa Anglican Girls' School

Junior School

Under the leadership of the Head of the Junior School, Mr Craig Duncan, Korowa's Junior School is an exciting and inspiring place of learning and development.

From Prep to Year 5, Korowa offers a broad, balanced contemporary curriculum with a strong emphasis on developing skills and strategies for lifelong learning.  The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) provides the foundation for our curriculum.  This trans-disciplinary program is designed to foster the development of the whole child, not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning by offering a framework that meets children's diverse needs: academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural. 

The curriculum focuses on the development of the whole child.  Socially responsible behaviour is encouraged and developed.  Students are taught to be aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of others. They are taught the behaviours that characterise an international perspective.  They learn about themselves, their culture and traditions, and a range of views and perspectives from the world in which they live.  Difference is enjoyed and celebrated.

The curriculum in the Junior School is divided into key learning areas - English (including Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), Mathematics, Health and Personal Development, Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE), Science and Technology, Languages other than English (LOTE), Music, Physical Education and Art. These key learning areas are supported by studies in Speech and Drama, Literature and a Perceptual Motor Program.

The scope and sequence of all key learning areas is based on the development of relevant skills, processes and concepts. Courses have been constructed by the staff of Korowa Junior School and are subject to continuous review in order to ensure a challenging and engaging curriculum. As part of this process staff constantly seek out and implement best practice locally and internationally.

All curriculum documents are audited against the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and these guidelines are used as a minimum standard for Korowa.

Ongoing assessment ensures that student progress is carefully monitored. Regular opportunities to discuss your daughter's progress ensure that you are well informed. Parent communication is welcome and participation is encouraged. 

The development of information and communication processing skills is a focus in the activities presented to children in our Junior School.  At Korowa, the computer is regarded as a valuable learning tool with the capacity to enhance the curriculum and student motivation to learn.  Computers, and other technologies, are used in classrooms on a daily basis and, by the time students enter the Middle School, they have a high standard of computer literacy.

Students are introduced to tuition on a musical instrument during their time in the Junior School.  The Strings program commences at Year 2 with all girls receiving tuition in either violin or cello.  Year 3 and 4 recorder tuition is incorporated into the core curriculum.  The Instrumental program is embedded in the Year 5 curriculum with students experiencing tuition in one of a range of musical instruments and having the opportunity to play in an ensemble.  (The Instrumental program continues in Year 6.)

Our program of individual enrichment is exemplary.  Talented students are offered extension work and students experiencing difficulties receive additional support.  Individual programs are devised in consultation with the parent.

The School day commences at 8.35am (with children able to enter their classroom from 8.20am) and concludes at 3.15pm.  Children may bring their lunch to School each day or order nutritious food from our tuckshop.

All Junior School students and their families have access to Korowa's various support facilities including before and after school care and holiday programs, as well as our School Counselor, Health Centre and School Chaplain.