At St Finbar’s, the English curriculum is informed by the science of learning and delivered through differentiated and targeted instruction. Literacy skills such as reading, spelling, grammar and speaking and listening are explicitly taught using evidence-based strategies. These skills are developed through daily practice and strengthened through spaced review, cumulative learning, guided practice and timely feedback. Instruction is provided at the whole-class level, in small groups, and through individual support to ensure all students develop the skills and love of reading and writing. Reading: At St Finbar’s, we recognise that reading is a complex skill that develops gradually through consistent instruction and practice. Learning to read involves two essential skills: accurately decoding words and understanding their meaning. Through our structured literacy approach, we support students at every stage of their reading journey, fostering a lifelong love of learning.Here at St Finbar's, we have a strong focus on the following, as the research consistently highlights these five essential skills for reading:1. Phonemic Awareness – Recognising and manipulating individual sounds within spoken words.  2. Phonics – Using knowledge of letter-sound relationships to decode written words.  3. Fluency – Reading text with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression.  4. Vocabulary – Understanding the meaning of a broad range of words and their usage in context.  5. Comprehension– Interpreting and making sense of the text's meaning and purpose.   Prep - Year 2: InitialLit is an evidence-based literacy program designed to support teachers in delivering explicit and systematic instruction in reading, writing, and spelling. The program focuses on key components of literacy development: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.  Year 3 - 6: In Years 3 to 6, St Finbar’s utilises the OCHRE resources—Australian-created, curriculum-aligned materials designed to build knowledge and vocabulary through evidence-based teaching practices. These lessons focus on spelling, morphology, grammar, handwriting, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, all while engaging students with rich mentor novels to deepen their understanding and appreciation of literature. Reading Supports and Intervention: For students who need additional reading support, we offer targeted intervention programs across all year levels. In the junior years, we implement the MiniLit program, while in the senior years, we use the MacqLit program. These evidence-based programs align with classroom reading instruction but are tailored to meet the needs of students requiring extra support, ensuring they develop essential reading skills with confidence.Writing: Seven Steps for Writing Success is an evidence-based Australian writing program that breaks down the writing process into seven key techniques drawn from the practices of professional authors. The program focuses on one technique at a time, allowing students to understand, practice, and master each individual skill before moving on to write a whole text. By taking small, manageable steps, the program helps build students' confidence and makes writing more enjoyable and achievable for students of all ability levels. This approach is grounded in best-practice pedagogy and educational research, providing a structured way for students to approach creative writing. Spelling: Prep - 1: InitiaLit The Reading program the Junior classrooms follow incorporates spelling within those lessons.Year 3 - 6: Spelling MasterySpelling Mastery is a research-based program designed to develop accurate and confident spellers by systematically teaching the essential strategies needed to understand and apply spelling rules. The program is grounded in explicit instruction and uses a combination of phonemic, morphographic, and whole-word approaches to address the diverse ways students learn to spell.  Each year level at St Finbar’s follows a structured Spelling Mastery program, with students placed into one of three groups based on a placement test. This ensures that spelling instruction is tailored to each student’s needs. Spelling sessions run daily from Monday to Thursday, with a spelling test every Friday to track progress and reinforce learning. Speaking & Listening:At St Finbar’s, we place a strong emphasis on speaking and listening, providing daily opportunities for students to develop their communication skills. Through structured discussions, presentations, and collaborative activities, students build confidence in expressing their ideas and actively engaging with others.Year 6 Leadership Roles where all students get an opportunity to lead the school in a specific areaSpeaking with PowerWhole School MusicalMayflower Resident BiographiesCircle timePresentationsStory Dogs: Story Dogs is a volunteer reading program that helps children build confidence and develop their reading skills by reading aloud to a trained dog and handler in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. At our school, selected students participate in regular sessions where they enjoy one-on-one time with a Story Dogs team, making reading a positive and enjoyable experience.

At St Finbar’s, we believe every student can become a confident and capable mathematician. Our Mathematics program is guided by the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 and the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools’ Vision for Instruction, with a strong focus on evidence-based, explicit teaching.Teachers introduce new concepts in clear, carefully sequenced steps, providing explanation, guided practice and feedback before students apply their learning independently. Daily review, hands-on learning, investigations and real-world problem solving help students develop strong mathematical understanding and confidence.Across Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability, students develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills. In the early years, concrete materials and practical experiences help children build strong foundations before moving towards more abstract mathematical thinking.Our goal is for every student to understand mathematics, explain their thinking and confidently apply what they know in new situations.

At St Finbar’s Primary School, our Catholic faith is at the heart of all that we do. We are part of the Emmaus Parish and work in partnership with our parish community and families to nurture the faith and spiritual growth of every child. We recognise that parents are the first and most influential educators of their children in faith, and we value the strong partnership between home, school and parish in helping our students grow in their relationship with God. We aim to build on each child's experience of living the faith, leading them to a deeper understanding of their life in the church, as well as providing opportunities for the students and their families to grow closer to God through their own faith formation. Our Religious Education program invites students to encounter Jesus through prayer, Scripture, liturgy, service and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Through meaningful learning experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of their faith while being encouraged to live out Gospel values of love, compassion, justice and respect in their everyday lives. Religious Education is an integral part of the curriculum from Prep to Year 6. Learning is developmentally appropriate and builds students' knowledge, understanding and faith formation as they progress through the primary years. Students are provided with opportunities to celebrate their faith through whole-school and class Masses, sacramental programs, social justice initiatives, and active participation in the life of the Emmaus Parish community. The students are encouraged to question and wonder as they grow in relationship with Jesus and the world around them by: Celebrating Mass as a school communityReceiving SacramentsResponding to the spirit of God in their lives and in creationCelebrating the mystery and life of the Risen ChristDeveloping factual knowledge to inform their faithUnderstanding the scriptures and the traditions of the Catholic ChurchParticipating in Family Faith Nights and engaging in Reflection Days when participating in a SacramentSacramental CelebrationsAt St Finbar’s Primary School, all students participate in classroom learning about the Sacraments as part of our Religious Education curriculum. These learning experiences help students develop an understanding of the significance of each Sacrament within the Catholic tradition and their place in the life of the Church.Families are encouraged to support their child in celebrating the Sacraments as an important milestone in their child's faith journey. All students and families are invited to participate in faith formation opportunities that strengthen the partnership between home, school and parish.Students are invited to prepare for and celebrate the following Sacraments:Year 3 - Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Reconciliation)Year 4 - Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion)Year 6 - Sacrament of ConfirmationSocial Justice  Social Justice is at the heart of our school and parish, grounded in the Catholic Social Teachings.  Social Justice leaders from Prep to Year 6 in partnership with Father Trac, the Religious Education Leader, the Faith Team and members from the Brighton East Conference of St Vincent de Paul lead our school community in the Feast of the Sacred Heart Winter Appeal and the Christmas Hamper Appeal. Throughout the year there is a focus on actively supporting Caritas Australia by promoting initiatives such as;  Project Compassion. Such initiatives support our community in understanding how to promote justice and uphold the dignity of each person.

All students regardless of race, age or gender, by virtue of their dignity as human persons, have a right to an education that is suited to their particular needs and adapted to their ability. (Pope Paul VI 1965)Academic SupportAt St Finbar's, we offer a three-tiered support model to ensure every student can flourish. All students benefit from high-quality, differentiated teaching within the classroom, where our teachers draw on current evidence to meet a range of learning needs.Where additional support is identified, students may access targeted small group intervention programs delivered by our experienced Learning Support Officers (LSOs) and specialist teachers. These programs are evidence-based and carefully matched to each student's area of need.Wellbeing and Behavioural SupportAt St Finbar's, we believe that a child's emotional wellbeing has a direct impact on their learning. We take a proactive approach to identifying and supporting students who may be experiencing social, emotional or behavioural challenges.We gather information through multiple channels. Our whole-school wellbeing platform Ripple, regular teacher observation and professional conversations, our student wellbeing and behaviour tracker as well as student wellbeing journals and self-reflection activities that give children a voice in their own wellbeing journey.Where a need is identified, our school psychologist and student support team work alongside classroom teachers and families to put appropriate support in place. This may include personalised learning plans or  programs, social skills groups, individual mentoring and in some cases, referral to external specialists. Our goal is always early identification and compassionate, non-judgemental support.TransitionsEnsuring a smooth transition into Prep, between grades and supporting Year 6 students making the transition to high school is a high priority at St Finbar’s. Our Prep teachers work in collaboration with the local kindergartens so ensure the smoothest transition possible. Transition days are organised before Preps commence so can become familiar with the school environment as well as getting to know their teachers and fellow classmates. Transition meetings between teachers are scheduled to support a smooth transition between grades. There is also a well supported transition process between St Finbar’s and prospective high schools to support our students when they are ready to move on to Year 7. Extension and EnrichmentAt St Finbar's, many of our students perform well above benchmark, and we are proud to offer a range of extension and enrichment opportunities in response.Within the classroom, our teachers design open-ended, challenging tasks that promote higher-order and critical thinking skills. For students performing at or above the 90th percentile, targeted extension groups provide additional depth and challenge beyond the standard curriculum.Throughout the year, students are also invited to participate in enrichment programs, competitions and high interest projects as opportunities arise, encouraging curiosity, creativity and a love of learning.At St Finbar's, we understand that every child's needs evolve over time. If you believe your child may benefit from additional support or challenge in any area, we warmly encourage you to reach out to our Leadership Team. Together, we will work with you to find the best path forward for your child.

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At St Finbars, the Humanities strands of Geography, History and Civics and Citizenship (3-6) are taught as part of a two-year cycle designed by the school’s Learning and Teaching team. Consistent with our teaching philosophy across all subjects, these units are taught using explicit instruction over the course of a term, culminating in rich assessment tasks that provide each student the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in thought-provoking and creative ways.Teachers will draw upon connections with our local and global community to provide engaging excursion and incursion opportunities as an immersion experience to help build real-world connections to what is being taught in the classroom. A highlight of our Humanities - Civics and Citizenship program is the annual Year 6 Canberra Camp. This provides our students the opportunity to see democracy in action and engage with the leaders that shape our nation.

Visual ArtThe St Finbar’s Visual Arts program provides a diverse range of opportunities for students to explore and inspire their creativity while teaching students specific skills and processes throughout the year. Students apply their knowledge and understanding through the appropriate use of visual arts practices. As students progress through the levels of Visual Arts, their knowledge, understanding and practice as artists and viewers increases through exposure to a breadth of artists, craftspeople and designers. Students develop skills through the seven areas of art: Drawing, Painting, Collage, Printmaking, Modelling, Construction, Threading and Textiles.Through these skills students learn about visual art elements, such as colour, form, line, shape, space, and texture, which then explores the art principles of scale, proportion, unity, variety, rhythm, balance, volume and perspective.Students have the opportunity to showcase their artwork to the school community at the bi-annual St Finbar's Arts Festival where artwork is on display along with musical performances from students.Performing ArtsSt Finbar’s Primary School provides a Performing Arts program, for all students, that enables them to gain skills and competencies in Dance, Drama, and Music. Performing Arts at St Finbar’s is an energetic and fun hour each week for each child. Students are able to explore the Performing Arts in an exciting and encouraging environment. The children are given opportunities to learn about various instruments, music theory and practice, dance styles and cultures, and drama elements, and forms. Children are encouraged to use their imagination, and creativity as they build and present performances across the areas of Performing Arts.   Children also participate and perform in the bi annual whole school production and arts festival. St. Finbar’s School Choir and Band are additional music opportunities for students wishing to expand their interest in Performing Arts in a fun and supportive learning environment. Both clubs are held once a week during play time when production is not rehearsing.

At St.Finbar’s the L.O.T.E is Italian or ItalianoAt St Finbar’s School we believe that the ability to use a language other than English and interact with other cultures is important for our students. We promote and support students to fully participate in the modern world, especially in the context of increasing globalisation and Australia's cultural diversity. Learning a language provides our students with the opportunity for first hand experience of another linguistic system and culture, thus promoting a deeper understanding and awareness of one’s own language and culture and that of others. The Italian Program aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure  that students:Communicate in the language they are learningUnderstand the relationship between language, culture and learning develop intercultural capabilitiesunderstand themselves as communicatorsL.O.T.E at St.Finbar’s aims to provide students with a fun and engaging program which is implemented as follows:Students from Prep to 6 have a one hour lesson per weekLessons take place in the classroomThe L.O.T.E teacher is responsible for coordinating the school’s program, including Italian days and L.O.T.E incursions or excursions.Student progress in L.O.T.E is reported in mid and end of year reports

At St. Finbar’s, we are committed to providing a high-quality, inclusive, and engaging Physical Education (PE) program that supports every student in developing a lifelong love of movement, health, and wellbeing. Our PE curriculum is designed to nurture physical competence, confidence, cooperation, and resilience through a diverse range of sports, games, and activities. With a strong focus on skill development, participation, and personal growth. Students of all abilities are encouraged to explore,  challenge themselves, and work together in a positive and supportive environment.We are proud of our excellent facilities, which include:A modern, fully equipped indoor hall/gymnasiumTwo full-sized outdoor asphalt courts with professional line markingsA multi-purpose synthetic turfed court with running lanes, perfect for athletics and team gamesFoundation to Year 2In the early years, our focus is on developing fundamental motor skills – the building blocks of all physical activity. Students are introduced to movements such as balancing, jumping, leaping, dodging, throwing, catching, kicking, and ball bouncing through fun, structured activities that build confidence and coordination.Years 3 and 4Students continue to build on their physical abilities with more complex motor skills including the overarm throw and two-handed forehand strike. These skills are applied in modified games that promote teamwork, fair play, and the introduction of basic tactics and strategies, all while maintaining a strong emphasis on enjoyment and participation.Years 5 and 6Senior students are challenged to refine their skills and apply them in a variety of team sports, individual challenges, and recreational games. They explore game-sense strategies, learn to design their own games, and engage in self and peer assessments to deepen their understanding of movement and teamwork. The curriculum also incorporates athletics, fitness training, and a wide range of traditional and non-traditional sports, including:Badminton, Netball, European Handball, Basketball, Pickleball, Spikeball, Soccer and Sof-Crosse.At every level, our Physical Education program empowers students to become active, confident, and healthy individuals who value the benefits of lifelong physical activity.

St Finbar's Primary School is committed to the ongoing education and awareness of the Indigenous people of Australia.  We as a school aim to have all parts of students learning embedded with Indigenous Australian knowledge, past, present and future.  We want the students of today to grow up with respect and understanding of what land they are on and understand the diversity and cultural differences they have in the country they reside in. St Finbar's RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan, Narragunnawali)“Our school/early learning service is proud to be developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and with the community.

Sustainability at St Finbar's is to enable and empower students to make decisions and  take actions that contribute to creating a sustainable society and ecosystem. Classes are designed to develop knowledge and skills for students to become active agents of change towards building a more sustainable school, community, State, Country and World. Year 6 Sustainability Leaders, the classroom Sustainability representatives, along with staff members, put forth ideas which they would like to see across our classrooms and as part of our learning. The students have made several initiatives within our school including Nude Food awareness, composting, recycling bins around the school and a worm farm. iSea iCareThe Year 6 Leaders each year are part of the iSea, iCare program, this program empowers students to educate their peers about Sustainable practices and how to care for local wildlife and land areas.  Through peer-teaching workshops, the Ambassadors develop the skills and self-confidence to pass their knowledge on. They tell their peers, lower classes, school assemblies and other groups about Victoria’s Living Marine Treasures, and that they’re too precious to lose! ResourceSmart SchoolResourceSmart Schools is a free program offered by Sustainability Victoria that supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across the school facilities, community and curriculum, while saving resources and money for the school. Currently we have reached our third star and are currently working on our fourth star which is Water. John AshFostering environmental awareness and sustainable practises in each child is enacted through engaging , 'hands on' activities centered around our John Ashe playground. Students also have the opportunity to reflect within the lovely areas of this playground. Often classes use this nature filled area for class Christian meditation and prayer as part of a variety of learning experiences. The playground is a garden, with an array of native plants and flowers, which are accessible as both visual displays, educational purposes and play. The students at St. Finbar’s are educated about Australia’s natural landscape and are able to gain understanding as to which plants thrive best in our climate and soil.  The playground is home to our school chickens, which are free to roam amongst the students during playtime. The care and compassion towards all of God’s creatures are encompassed as the students are encouraged to select ‘good’ chicken foods from the garden, as well as creating entertainment for the chickens and collecting the eggs. The John Ashe playground is a place where children can fully immerse themselves in nature and nature play

At St Finbar’s, we pride ourselves on being a lead school in the area of eLearning. Children today live in a fast changing world, marked by rapid developments in technology. We do not know what the future holds for students of today but we do know that technology will play a big part in their future. Our intention is that our students will leave St Finbars confident and proficient using technology. St Finbar’s is a Google Apps for Education School, which has transformed the way that students and staff work. Students store all of their work in their Google Drive which can be accessed anywhere and anytime. St Finbar’s offers a one-to-one program across the school. Students in Prep have access to a class set of iPads, while students in Years 1 to 6 have access to Chromebooks. In Years 1 and 2, Chromebooks are kept as a class set, with students in Years 3 to 6 having a device assigned exclusively to them. Teachers from Year 2 and above use Hapara to manage and monitor students' work. These tools and resources support teaching and learning by enabling students to communicate, create, collaborate and  store information in ways not previously possible. St Finbar’s is blessed with many other tools to support eLearning. All year levels have access to coding tools such as beebots and sphero robots. The school is also in the beginning stages of developing a podcast channel that will be run by our Year 6 Technology Leaders. This will be a powerful tool for students to develop skills in producing and editing content for our community.  St Finbar’s recognises the importance of real time feedback for our students and parents. We use the SeeSaw program to connect families with the school and to see student work and celebrate progress. SeeSaw is a powerful tool for students to work collaboratively and maintain a portfolio of work that will stay with them throughout their time at St Finbar’s.  CybersafetySt. Finbar’s is proud to be an eSmart School, with cyber safety and respectful online behaviour at the forefront of everything eLearning. Since 2023, all students from Prep to Year 6 participate in the Inform and Empower program, which provides age-appropriate, structured education around staying safe and behaving responsibly online. In 2026, we are also excited to be participating in the Cyber Safe Classroom pilot program, further strengthening our commitment to keeping our students safe in an increasingly complex online world. We have a comprehensive eLearning Policy that can be found Here. We recommend that families also visit the Australian Government eSafety Website https://www.esafety.gov.au/