Learning

English

English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Students learn about the English language through written, spoken and visual texts of increasing complexity as they progress through their schooling.

An understanding of the English language is central to how we communicate and essential for intellectual, social and emotional development.

The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.

Kindergarten-Year 2

Initialit is a reading program that helps young children learn the important skills they need to become good readers. It teaches them how to hear sounds in words, read letters and words, learn new vocabulary, and understand what they read. The program uses clear and step-by-step teaching to make learning easy and effective. An additional writing program builds on these skills and fosters a love of reading and writing.

Years 3-6

For students in Years 3 to 6, there is a separate spelling and writing program that builds on the skills they learned in Initialit. This program uses clear and direct teaching methods, just like Initialit, to help students develop stronger spelling skills. It focuses on important areas such as understanding spelling rules, recognising patterns in words, and expanding vocabulary. By continuing to build on the foundational reading and writing skills from earlier years, this program supports students to become confident and skilled readers and writers as they move through primary school.

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

By studying mathematics, students develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical concepts and their use within the classroom and beyond.

The syllabus consists of the following strands:

• number and algebra
• measurement and geometry
• statistics and probability.

Mathematics groups

In Years 1 and 2, students are grouped together to learn about whole numbers. This means they work in small groups based on their learning needs to understand numbers, counting, and basic number skills. Grouping helps teachers give each child the right support so they can build a strong foundation.

Students in Years 3 to 6 are grouped by their ability in mathematics four times each week. This means they work with other students who have similar learning levels, so the lessons can be tailored to their specific needs. This approach helps every child learn at the right pace, get extra support where needed, and be challenged when they’re ready. Grouping helps students improve their maths skills more effectively and build confidence.

Mathletics

Students in Years 3 to 6 are grouped by their ability in mathematics four times each week. This means they work with other students who have similar learning levels, so the lessons can be tailored to their specific needs. This approach helps every child learn at the right pace, get extra support where needed, and be challenged when they’re ready. Grouping helps students improve their maths skills more effectively and build confidence.

Science and Technology

Science and technology is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

In science and technology, students explore the natural and made worlds. They learn how to apply scientific and technological skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.

Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.

Plant Propagation

The History of Plant Prop

Plant Prop was established at Berry Public School in 1990 by BPS teacher, Barry Virtue and a retired primary school principal, Dave Johnson.

A space was provided behind the Kindergarten block to set up a nursery.

Barry’s informal practical natural studies lessons aimed to encourage student awareness and appreciation for the natural environment by learning to identify local trees, birds and animals.

Students were taught how to propagate local native plants from seed which were planted in the school grounds and in community planting projects. The plants would provide a source of seed for future successive propagation.

New Directions for Plant Prop

In 2018 a new purpose built nursery was completed in a more central and prominent location. The Natural Studies and Plant Propagation Centre provides a first-class teaching facility to expand opportunities for Stages 1-3 of the Science curriculum related to the Living World / Natural Environment with an emphasis on local geographical and physical environmental interconnections with plants and animals.

The aim is to find out how, why and where they grow, their adaptations and uses.

The teachers are embracing the new curriculum and with the support of parent and older community volunteers, the students experience practical hands on activities in the nursery that complement and expand theoretical classroom learning.

Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE)

PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.

Sport and Fitness

Berry Public School students actively participate in 150 minutes of planned fitness and sport every week including swimming, gymnastics, dance and fundamental movement skill development.

Our gifted and high potential athletes compete in many local and state sporting competitions including but not limited to; rugby league, football, tennis, netball and cricket. We also compete strongly in athletics, cross country, and swimming carnivals.

Dance

All students in Year 5 and 6 participate in a dance program with a specialist instructor. The dance lessons culminate in a performance at our open day and the annual Year 6 graduation dance.

Gymnastics

Berry Public School students from K-2 participate in a 30-minute Gymnastics program with accredited and experienced instructors from GymSports. Gymnastics teaches children the fundamental movement skills and general coordination they need to enjoy moving through a wide-range of activities, and allows them to practice these skills in a safe and fun environment.

NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA)

Talented athletes have access to a wide range of additional opportunities through representative sports run by the  NSW Primary School Sports Association (NSWPSSA).  Schools across NSW are organised into zone groups, and Berry Public School is part of the Tongarra Zone Sports Association.

Premier's Sporting Challenge

The NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge encourages students over a 10-week period to participate in a broad range of sports and fitness activities to develop their understanding of the importance of sport and physical activity. The Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines outline that students aged 5-17 years should accumulate 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day. During the 10-week Challenge, students record their physical activity each day. Activities may include time spent in a range of sports during lunchtime, in school sport programs, class time, before or after school, and on weekends. The awards for daily activity are below.

Human society & its environment (HSIE)

In human society and its environment (HSIE), the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10, where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.

In HSIE, students explore varied subjects in human society and its environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.

Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.

A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:

• research, gather and analyse information
• question and make judgements
• write for a variety of purposes.

Plant propagation

For over 25 years our students have been working with volunteers and Landcare to learn about plant propagation in a specially designated area of the school. Over 100,000 plants have been planted or donated throughout the community.  See our Science and Technology section for more information, and check out our photos below.

Creative and performing arts (CAPA)

Creative arts is mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts where they learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform.

Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.

Paint Pot

The Paint Pot program provides every student at our school with weekly creative arts lessons provided by specialist art teachers. Students' art work is displayed throughout the school and community.

Ensemble and band

The band is a parent coordinated opportunity for students in Years 3 to 6. The  school band is conducted by David Rooney from the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. David teaches for 2 hours per week. Students perform at school assemblies, presentation and special events and in outside competitions and venues.

Choir

Our school has choir for all students in Stage 2 and Stage 3. The choirs perform at school and community events as well as at regional music festivals such as the Shoalhaven Music Festival.

Religion and ethics

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

When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the following approved providers offered at our school

• Combined Churches (Anglican, Uniting, Presbyterian
• Roman Catholic
• Ethics (SEE)

Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.

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

Our learning approach

Our school uses 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. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.

Our learning approach includes:

• real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
• technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
• flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
• community connections: through excursions and local programs.

Helping students progress

We support every student’s academic progress by:

• checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
• setting learning goals with each student
• giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
• reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing

• providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
• 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.

Living Ripples

Berry Public School served as the pilot school for the Living Ripples program in 2022 and achieved outstanding success, winning the Best Wellbeing Program in Australia. The school has effectively integrated the program into its culture, focusing on the three-stage process outlined in the Living Ripples initiative.

The program commenced at Berry Public School with a detailed understanding of our unique challenges and wellbeing requirements. This involved comprehensive research, including surveys of students, teachers, and parents. The outcome of this research was a Living Ripples Report and a tailored implementation plan designed specifically for Berry Public School.

The collaborative Living Ripples Intergenerational Workshop played a crucial role in actively engaging parents, students, and teachers within the school community. Live student data collected during the workshop provided valuable insights into the ongoing wellbeing narrative at Berry Public School.

The ongoing nature of the Living Ripples program has allowed the school to continuously monitor student resilience and self-confidence over time. This adaptability ensures that the program can be adjusted to meet the changing needs of the school community.

We have fully embraced the Living Ripples Platform, providing students with access to Living Ripples Sets that aim to build resilience and self-confidence while monitoring wellbeing. Teachers utilise the Living Ripples video sets, including activities such as "Living Ripples Brain Break" and "Living Ripples Student Check-in".

We actively observe and analyse wellbeing and resilience progress in their classrooms through ongoing research analysis and insights provided by the Living Ripples team. The data collected is used to inform and adjust program recommendations, ensuring that the school's wellbeing initiatives align with the evolving needs, mental, emotional and physical, of the students.