Visual Arts
The Visual Arts program at Williamstown North Primary School is considered an important part of students’ overall development during their primary school years. We value and foster imagination, creativity and original thinking and this is evident through the tasks, challenges and activities students undertake in the Visual Arts program.
All students attend the Visual Arts Room for a 60 minute lesson each week (either Semester One or Semester Two). During this session students use a range of art media and materials to plan, make, present and reflect on artworks which communicate their experiences, feelings, observations ideas and show skill development.
Vibrant displays of student artworks are changed regularly in the corridors and the art room to allow for as many students as possible to have their artwork viewed by the school community.
All art experiences from Foundation to Year 6 are sequential and are designed for students to not only reach their potential at each stage of their development, but to have the opportunity to excel above the expected level.
Physical Education
The PE program at Williamstown North is the only specialist program that runs in both semester. Physical Education is an all-encompassing term, including fitness skills, fundamental skills, gymnastics, dance, recreation, health and appropriate values and knowledge. Students are taught the importance of exercise, team building, playing, following rules and collaboration.
At a whole school level we run Cross Country, Athletics and Swimming events every year. Year 5 and 6 students participate in Interschool Sport during Terms 1 and 2, competing against schools in our district area.
All students are taught the importance of engaging in healthy behaviours and the importance to physical education in a person's overall health and wellbeing.
Performing Arts
At Williamstown North Primary, we strive to provide opportunities for all students in Music, Dance and Drama. Teaching and learning within The Performing Arts is so powerful, as it allows students to develop confidence, perseverance, empathy, self-expression, teamwork skills and concentration in an energetic, safe and inclusive environment. Students are also encouraged to challenge their imagination and critical thinking while improving their self-confidence.
In accordance with Victorian Curriculum, during classroom lessons, students will:
- Develop their pitch and rhythm knowledge through the use of body percussion, voice and instruments
- Develop improvising and composing skills on different instruments using a wide range of repertoire
- Explore locomotor and non-locomotor movement and the use of levels through movement
- Develop the use of sequence, transition, contrast, variation, abstraction and repetition in their choreography
- Explore facial expression, body movement and voice changes to develop a character
- Develop the use of voice, body and movement to sustain roles and develop relationships in dramatic action
- Perform and communicate through music, dance and drama to an audience
- Identify and explain elements of music, dance and drama
STEM
The Williamstown North STEM program combines Science, Technology and Digital Technologies in a curriculum that tests students' skills in collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. Students acquire skills and knowledge that is pivotal for the future. They are encouraged to be innovative and use new and emerging technologies to solve problems and extend their understanding and thinking.
Students undertake learning in biological, physical, chemical and Earth and space science units and design, plan and create projects that use materials and resources to build and make a solution. The STEM program also engages students in digital technologies such as coding and robotics whilst teaching the importance of being cybersafe and demonstrating the school values online.
Japanese
All students attend Japanese for a 60 minute lesson per week. Language games and activities are used to reinforce the students’ Japanese language acquisition.
On our annual Japanese Day, the whole school comes together to celebrate Japanese culture.
In Foundation to Year 2, Students in Foundation to Year 2 enjoy learning through songs and games, and also start to recognise the Hiragana writing script. In Years 3 to Year 6, Students in Years 3 to 6 are challenged to read and write Hiragana, aiming to become “Hiragana Black Belts” by the end of Year 6.
Students have the opportunity to correspond with their peers in our sister school in Yokohama, Japan.