Northcote Primary has a range of programs to support a range of strengths and interests, with the aim of establishing a positive learning environment and allow every child to thrive.
Prep to Year 6 student representatives are elected by their peers to Junior School Council and meet fortnightly to discuss and problem-solve school issues that are important to them.
We value and promote leadership activities that are meaningful and that carry a level of responsibility for students. All learning areas provide opportunities for students to play a key role in providing input into their learning.
The Year 6 Buddy Program provides essential ‘transition to school’ support for our new Preps each year and develops a sense of pride and responsibility in our senior students.
In 2022, we have introduced a ‘Green Team’ of Grade 3-6 students who meet fortnightly to discuss and create goals around the environment, sustainability and reducing our impact on the planet.
All students undertake tasks at home each week. Generally, home learning tasks relate to the skills, processes and understandings that are the current learning focus at school and are developmentally appropriate. They do not require new learning; students are required to practise skills learnt in class.
Home learning complements and reinforces classroom learning, fosters good lifelong study habits, and provides an opportunity for students to further develop responsibility for their own learning. This ranges to nightly reading in Prep, to Monthly Projects in Grades 5 and 6.
The move from kindergarten to primary school and then primary to secondary school creates big changes in a child’s life, development and education. We believe a positive transition provides a smooth start to learning, and social and emotional wellbeing.
All parents and children starting prep the following year, attend our Ready, Set, Go! Program in November and December. This is a valuable opportunity to become familiar with the school environment, meet some of our teachers, and possible classmates for the following year. The program consists of three morning sessions and includes concurrent information sessions for parents.
For the move from primary to secondary school, our Year 6 teachers and Year 6–7 transition coordinator prepare students throughout their final year. We ensure all parents have full knowledge of the process involved and are guided by the Year 6–7 transition coordinator.
Northcote Primary School follows the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program to embed a culture of respect and equality across the school community. Each week, students cover the topics as part of Social and Emotional Learning in the classroom.
Our engagement and wellbeing approach is based on the following principles: the right to learn, the right to be respected, and the right to be safe. We also teach students about responsibilities—personal responsibility (I do the right thing), and communal responsibility (I encourage others to do the right thing).
