Junior School
WHERE LEARNING IS THE
HEARTBEAT OF OUR CULTURE.
Junior School is a time for your daughter to lay the foundations of good learning habits and life skills. Combining the advantages of both a standalone campus and the proximity of the Senior School facilities, the Junior School is the ideal environment for our students to develop a strong sense of belonging and purpose.
Students do not reach their potential by accident, it comes as a result of a student’s entire educational journey, commencing in the Junior School. The exposure to a range of experiences, an innovative and dynamic curriculum, and the support provided by the expert teachers, lays the foundations for a life-long love of learning. A low threat, high challenge philosophy underpins our approach to learning and teaching, a philosophy that we believe creates the best conditions for our students to learn.
Students benefit from a rich learning environment. Our small class sizes allow us to tailor academic programs to meet the needs for each girl. Our academic programs, based on the Australian Curriculum, draw on the expertise of our Advanced Learning Centre staff, allowing us to advance the leaning of all students.
No two learners are the same so our teachers aim to create the conditions for learning that inspire and develop inquisitiveness, curiosity and courage. We take the time to understand each girl as a learner – her strengths, weaknesses and interests in order to help her thrive inside and outside the classroom. A growth mind-set enables students to face new experiences with an optimistic outlook, to have the capacity to be resilient, and to view challenges as achievable, when provided with the necessary strategies, support and scaffolding.
Our mindfulness and positive psychology programs ensure that we are connected with the social and emotional needs of students, and allows us to maintain a high standard of pastoral care. A partnership with Swinburne University has seen the ARISTOTLE Emotional Intelligence Program introduced to inform and educate our students about the role emotional intelligence plays in the learning process and within the context of personal growth.
The programs and opportunities on offer to our Junior School students are many and varied, and designed to build independence, self-esteem, interpersonal and social skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others. Students can expect to participate in a cohesive outdoor education program, art and music events, sporting carnivals, STEAM Clubs, coding and robotics programs, camps that include interstate travel for our Year 6 students, as well as social justice days and environmental initiatives, enrichment experiences and student buddy programs.
Each student is unique, with her own developing set of competencies, qualities and values. Our role as educators is to provide an environment that embraces and champions individuality, and provides opportunities to grow at their own pace, while learning the social and emotional life skills that empowers them to interact and collaborate effectively with those around them.
Strathcona’s commitment to a rich music program provides all girls with an opportunity to develop the musician within. In addition to co-curricular music activities, classroom based activities include all Year 2 students learning a string instrument and playing in ensembles.
Older students can learn a brass, percussion or other instrument and participate in ensembles – the Junior School String Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Brass Ensemble and Concert Band.
There are choirs for Years 3 and 4 and Years 5 and 6. Together with solo musicians, these choirs perform during concerts and soirées, at whole-School events and at community events. Students involved in the co-curricular Speech and Drama program also take part in concerts, soirées and eisteddfods.
The Digital Technologies curriculum has been developed on the notion that the students create, rather than consume. Devices including iPads, laptops and robots are considered learning tools, allowing our students to be creative and collaborative, opposed to merely providing them with a simpler way to do things. Our students are introduced to computational thinking to empower them to solve problems in creative and original ways. Ultimately, we want our students to know the tools and resources available to them that can best assist them with their learning.
Student learning experiences are enhanced by Junior School facilities, specifically designed to meet the requirements of primary aged students. Light-filled classrooms offer flexible learning spaces, access to outdoor learning areas, reading nooks and the latest in information technology. Our outstanding specialist facilities include a library, curriculum extension areas, art studio, multi-purpose activity room, music room and individual studios for instrumental lessons.
The move from primary school to Year 7 can be a tricky time for many students. At Strathcona, we begin to familiarise our students in Year 6 in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
While starting a new school at Year 7 can be a challenging time, Junior School students have the advantage of familiarity with the Senior Campus.
Junior School students use Senior Campus facilities each week for:
- Swimming
- Physical Education
- Lunch play
- Assemblies
Senior School staff also give regular lessons in:
- Science
- Languages
- Art
- Swimming
- Physical Education
During Semester 2, all Year 6 students participate in a transition program including activities in the Year 7 classrooms, Senior Library and the Food Technology area led by the Year 7 Coordinator and Senior School staff.
Prep at Strathcona
Starting school is an exciting and formative year. Learn about our approach to Prep and how we set our students up for success. Start your Strathcona journey in Prep.
Curriculum
The Junior School curriculum is designed to foster curiosity and to build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and research. Our integrated approach to curriculum design incorporates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) to ensure we are equipping our students with essential 21st century learning dispositions, such as problem solving, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, digital competency and persistence.
- English
- Mathematics
- Integrated studies (including Science, Geography, History, Design, Creativity and Technology)
- Thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Information and Communications Technology
- Creating and making art
- Artist in Residence program
- Art displays and exhibitions
- Lunchtime Open Art
- Drama and Dance productions
- Set development
- Appreciating and Responding to Art
- Art extension programs
- Family Life
- Environment
- Societies and Culture
- Politics and Government
- Civics and Citizenship
- Australia as a nation
- Local Community
- Global Community
- Christian Education
- Social service
- Social justice
- Interpersonal skills
- Goal setting and reflections
- Musical productions and performances
- Singing
- Creating and making music
- Appreciating and responding to music
- Instrumental Concerts
- Bands
- Choirs (Pre-Prep – 2, Years 3 & 4, Year 5, Year 6 and an auditioned choir)
- Theory
- AMEB Examinations
- Chamber Strings
- Junior Strings
- String instrumental tuition (Year 2)
- Brass instrumental tuition
- Beginner Strings
- Advanced study
- Mandarin (Prep to Year 4)
- French (Years 5 & 6)
- Year 11/Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 Big Sister/Little Sister Program
- Year 5/Prep
- Year 6/younger classes
- Year 4/ELC
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Perceptual Motor Program
- Inter-House and Inter-School competitions
- PE Skill lessons
- Cross-country
- Gymnastics
- Basketball
- Netball
- Soccer
- Softball
Before and After Care
We support our working parents by providing before and after school care options to students attending the Early Learning Centre and Junior School. Camp Australia has partnered with Strathcona in the delivery of a high quality before and after school care program. All families who wish to use these programs, from the Early Learning Centre and Junior School, must be registered with Camp Australia.
Before Care commences at 7.30am and students are escorted to their classrooms by Camp Australia staff, ready for the start of school at 8.45am (Early Learning Centre). Breakfast is available to students that arrive prior to 8.00am.
After Care is available until 6.15pm and students are escorted to the Junior School library by Camp Australia and teaching staff at the conclusion of their school day (3.00pm). A healthy afternoon tea is provided at approximately 4.00pm.
Registration and bookings may be completed via their website.
Register for an
Open Morning
Attend our next Open Morning to meet our Principal, key staff, and current students on a typical day. Please click here to register.
Small Group Tour
(Junior School)
Meet our Head of Junior School and experience insight into our small, nurturing classrooms from Prep to Year 6.
Book a
Personal Tour
Register here to arrange a personalised tour of Strathcona. Typically, these take place during school hours and term time.
Meet our Head of Junior School
At the helm of our Junior School is Mrs Lisa Miller, a leader in the space of teaching and learning. Speak with her to hear about our values-based approach to education and to learn more about how we equip our students with visible thinking strategies that prepare them for the future.
