Curriculum
Kindergarten to Year 7
At Frederick Irwin we consider our most important task is to enable children to 'learn how to learn'. To achieve this we endeavour to develop challenging learning opportunities in a co-operative School environment. Many of our methods include hands-on, practical experiences, topics of interest, thematic approaches, special events, educational visits and cultural activities. Activity work is far more obvious than passive listening and the emphasis is on individual learning and achievement. On-going encouragement and positive feedback are essential for children at all stages of learning. Broadly speaking, the Curriculum offers a learning framework that enables children, at their own individual ability levels to:
- speak, listen, read and write efficiently and effectively;
- master mathematical ideas and skills;
- appreciate their heritage and the natural world they live in;
- observe the physical world around them and gain understanding of it by posing problems, making investigations and drawing conclusions;
- express themselves through drama, art and music;
- be physically fit and understand the important aspects of good health;
- gain hands-on experience in information technology, enterprise and science;
- express their faith in their everyday lives.
Many learning programmes, are integrated across curricular areas by way of topics or themes. Children in the Primary years do not naturally observe or relate to "subject" areas. They learn effectively by making cognitive links across all learning domains. However, for the sake of clarity, it is useful to look at the different areas separately.The Education Department of Western Australia has outlined eight key learning areas which reflect the knowledge, skills and processes essential for all students. Collectively they provide a curriculum framework for students learning and assist teachers to monitor individual students progress in specific learning areas.
Secondary
The School offers a broad range of subjects to adequately prepare students for their post-secondary school career. For the most part, subjects operate on a full-year basis. The School operates on an 8 period day, with each period being 40 minutes. A Student's Timetable is made up of some single periods of 40 minutes and some double periods of 80 minutes.
Sport and Recreation
We believe that physical activity is beneficial to all students, and as a consequence, physical education is compulsory (unless there are medical reasons for the student not to participate) for all students from Years 8 to Year 12 inclusive. Changerooms, with hot and cold showers, are provided and there is a Hall/Gymnasium, hard court and oval facilities available for a range of sporting activities. Students are required to have the full sports uniform (including cap or hat, and a towel) to participate in every Physical Education lesson regardless of the weather. Frederick Irwin School is a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges Sporting Organisation and the South West Independent Schools Sports Association (SWISSA), and students from our School participate in Inter-School Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals.
House Group and House Period Every student in the Secondary section of the School is allocated to a House Group (which is known in some other Schools as a Form Class). The House Group reflects both the student year and the House to which the student belongs (for example House Group 8E1 has in it Year 8 students from Ellis House). There is a House Period first thing every morning except Wednesday for 15 minutes where the House Group meets with their House Group Teacher. To promote the pastoral care of students it is expected that they will remain with the same House Teacher for their five years of Secondary education. A staff member is appointed as a Co-ordinator for each Year Group. Whilst their role is primarily one of Pastoral Care, they aim to build up an overall view of their students and consequently may be involved in discussing aspects of discipline and academic progress, as well as social and behavioural concerns with students in the Year Group.