Education

Goals

At Epping North Public School we aim to develop fully the talents and capabilities of all students. In particular, students will aim to:

• become worthwhile citizens and make life better for others
• be enthusiastic learners
• pursue academic excellence
• be effective communicators
• maintain healthy lifestyles
• care for the environment.

Curriculum

Students are taught within these six Key Learning Areas (KLAs):

• English - talking and listening, reading, writing
• Mathematics - working mathematically, number, patterns and algebra, measurement and data, space and geometry
• Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) - change and continuity, cultures, environments, social systems and structures
• Science and Technology (SciTech) - investigating scientifically, designing and making, the natural environment, the made environment
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) - fundamental movement and physical activity, healthy choices, self and relationships
• Creative and Practical Arts (CAPA)  - visual arts, music, dance and drama

At Epping North PS, specialist teachers teach Music, Drama and Science and Technology during class teachers' allocated Relief from Face-to-Face (RFF) time. Specialist sports teachers are also employed to teach some sports skills.

Stages and Grades

The curriculum is taught in developmental stages and students are these are often referred to.
Early Stage One (ES1) - Kindergarten
Stage One (St 1) - Years 1 and 2
Stage Two (St 2) - Years 3 and 4
Stage Three (St 3) - Years 5 and 6

Foundation Statements

These statements are published by the NSW Board of Studies (BoS) and answer the question 'What must be taught?' in the statewide curriculum. They are available here.

Co-Curricular Activities

Various opportunities which enhance the curriculum are provided to Epping North students within and outside of school hours.

Music - vocal enrichment groups (VEG), choirs, recorder, music festivals
training band (from Year 3), concert band, senior band
Dance - modern jazz (from Year 1), boys' dance
Public speaking - debating, speaking competitions
Environment - gardening, composting, recycling, environment monitors
Sport - PSSA sports competition (Years 5 and 6), lawn bowls (Years 3 and 4), interschool knock-out competitions
Other activities run on-site - chess, creative writing, French, Italian, visual arts, keyboard

Student Support

School counsellor

Our school counsellor is an experienced teacher who has a degree in psychology and post-graduate qualifications in school counselling. She is available to work with students of all ages and their families. Our counsellor is at Epping North one day per week, so it is necessary for parents or carers to make an appointment by telephoning the school.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The ESL teacher works with students whose first or main language is not English. Through either team teaching or small group withdrawal, speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English are developed.

Learning support

Students experiencing learning difficulties are referred to the Learning Support Team (LST). This team, comprising executive, teaching and support staff, meet weekly to discuss the learning needs of students who have been referred to them. The Support Teacher: Learning Difficulties (STLD teacher) works with some of these students.

Gifted and talented programs

Various opportunities are provided for students who have been identified with talents in particular areas. These include in-school programs, inter-school competitions and regional and statewide gifted and talented programs. Examples of such opportunities are debating and speaking competitions, zone and regional carnivals, band camp, dance camp and regional enrichment days.

Peer support and buddies

All older students at Epping North are buddied with a younger student. A popular introductory activity undertaken between buddy classes is the joint construction of Easter hats or baskets for the annual Easter parade.

A peer support program, which focuses on social skills and anti-bullying, is run in small across-grade groups led by Year 6 students for a term each year.

Restorative Justice

Epping North has adopted the Restorative Justice approach to dealing with student conflicts and issues. The main focus on Restorative Justice practice is respectful and fair practice, repairing harm and restoring relationships. Through the practice, children learn to talk to each other in healthy and respectful ways with the aim that restitution is reached and relationships restored. More information here. The practice can also be used at home. Below are the sets of questions that can be asked.  

When things go wrong, restorative questions to ask are:

• What happened?
• What were you thinking at the time?
• What have you thought about since?
• Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
• What do you think you need to do to make things right?

When someone has been hurt, restorative questions to ask are:

• What did you think when you realised what had happened?
• What impact has this incident had on you and others?
• What has been the hardest thing for you?
• What do you think needs to happen to make things right?