Reception forms an important introduction to the Roxby Downs Area Schools Early Years programme, spanning through to Year 2. At the Roxby Downs Area School, we ensure that continuity of learning exists for your child from the beginnings in Kindergarten, into Reception, Through Year 1 and into Year 2 to enure the essential groundwork is provided.
We are currently in a transition phase with the Early Years curriculum. In 2013, we are teaching and reporting against the new Australian Curriculum in the following areas:
And for the remaining subject areas
we are still following the South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability Framework. These subject areas will eventually be incorporated under the new Australian Curriculum Framework. In Reception, priority is given to English (Literacy), Mathematics (Numeracy), Social Skills (Health) and Play based learning. The introductory Reception program supports the development of these essential skills as well as fostering a positive attitude towards learning. As students progress through the other Junior Primary grades, these important foundations are further consolidated and expanded on through complimentary programs and the introduction of all other subject areas.
The R-2 sector of the school has approximately 140-160 students divided into 2 sometimes 3 teaching blocks. The main teaching blocks however are the Bronze (B) and Copper (C) blocks. The present structure is 4 Reception classes, 1 Year 1 class, 2 Year 1 /2 classes and 1 straight Year 2 class. The average class size is 22 students.
For four mornings a week, all R-2 students engage in literacy blocks. During this time, students are explicitly taught a range of skills and understandings to support their acquisition of listening and speaking, reading and viewing and writing and spelling skills. Students are also provided with meaningful opportunities to practise and consolidate these skills in a range of contexts including whole class, small group and 1:1 situations.
Play based learning is an important and integral feature of the Junior Primary classrooms. Play, more than any other activity, fuels healthy development of young children. It is through play that much of children’s early learning is achieved. At the Roxby Downs Area School, we have recently upgraded our play furniture to furbish 2 play areas in both the Copper and Bronze blocks.
All Junior Primary children are expected to wear correct uniform to school each day, as set down by the Governing Council. This includes a broad-brimmed hat. The RDAS uniform includes:
*Navy or white polo shirt
*Navy school shorts, or trousers or track pants
*School dress/pinafore
A uniform shop is located in the Haematite (H) Block. Please contact the school for opening times.
Junior Primary students are provided with a reading folder and Contact Book, for students to bring to school each morning and take home again at the end of each day. Any notes to or from the classroom teacher should be written into the Contact Book. Each day your child’s teacher will check the book for notes and will place notes in the book when required. Please initial notes as they come home to indicate that you have seen them.
Students are strongly encouraged to read every night to an adult. Inside the reading folder is a reading record booklet containing useful tips to support your child with his/her reading at home.
At RDAS, we strongly encourage students to be responsible for their own belongings and themselves. It is important that students learn to pack and upack their bags for school each day and learn to organise their personal items. These skills provide students with independence and responsibility – essential skills as they progress throughout Junior Primary into higher year levels.
It is also a school expectation that all parents wait outside the blocks for the bell to go at 3.05 pm, signalling the end of the school day. Teachers need this time to gather the class together and reflect on the learning and future events, and students require this time to independently organise their belongings for home. Should you need to meet with the class teacher, this can be done after the students have been dismissed. Also in the mornings we ask that parent leave promptly when the bell goes at 8.30am so that teachers can settle and organise students into the morning routines.
Attendance is a very important during all stages of schooling, but vital in the early years as the foundations and habits for successful learning are established here. Teachers need to be informed if your child is absent for any reason – illness, appointment, out of town etc. This may require a phone call to the front office or a note in the Contact Book. Should you be away for 3 or more days, an Exemption must be sought by the Principal prior to this time. Forms may be collected from your childs teacher or the front office. We appreciate that from time to time families need to travel out of Roxby Downs for a variety of reasons, however limited the number of absences will be beneficial to your child. It is also important to be punctual to school in the morning, arriving on the 8.25am bell. Lateness results in classroom interruptions and can interfere with your child’s learning. Frequent or ongoing unexplained absences will require your teacher to notify the Attendance Branch so that they can follow up your legal obligations as a parent/guardian to ensure your child attends school.
Lunch time activities – areas of the school such as 2 playgrounds, a sand play area, a computer room, recreation centre, library and drama and R-2 play room are open to students at recess and lunch times on a roster system.
Healthy snack time – all classes
This page was last modified on: 19/2/2013
Content Enquiries: dl.1817.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Department of Education and Child Development t/a South Australian Government Schools
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