Currajong’s curriculum complies with the Australian Curriculum. There is an emphasis on Personal and Social Capability.
The Australian Curriculum provides a clear learning continuum for assessment of student achievement. Written reports to parents (twice-yearly) include comments on achievement on the required five-point scale.
Currajong provides an activity-based educational program with a strong emphasis on academic skills. There are high expectations of students’ learning and behaviour which are monitored on a session by session basis.
Students are placed in one of four class groups dependent primarily on chronological age. Highly trained staff - a teacher and two teaching assistants - work with each class group of twelve students. In addition, specialist staff support students across all areas of the curriculum.
Learning takes place in a structured setting with attention to individual learning needs. Small classes allow the development of close staff/student relationships which play a key part in each student’s progress and sense of belonging
Social Competencies is an integral part of the curriculum. It is taught explicitly in the context of ‘Circle Time’ classes as well as implicitly throughout the school day. Students learn to integrate the cognitive (thinking), emotional (feeling) and behavioural realms in order to be able to establish, maintain and develop constructive social interactions and relationships.
Direct Instruction is a highly effective research-based model of teaching reading and spelling. The goal is to accelerate student learning by maximising efficiency in the design and delivery of instruction, thus helping to ‘close the gap’ for students who may have fallen behind in these areas.
Independent readers who no longer require explicit instruction in basic reading skills are placed in an extension group where they read, interpret and respond to a wide range of literary, media and everyday texts in ways which develop considered and critical thinking.
The Arts are a central and therapeutic aspect of the program at Currajong and include both performing and visual arts. Students enjoy music, dance, visits to galleries and a wide range of related activities.