Curriculum

We seek to provide our students with international understanding and with opportunities to practice responsible world citizenship. Our students are encouraged to become critical thinkers, goal setters, and enthusiastic life long learners through the provision of a stimulating and enriched curriculum that is strong in core academic areas and enriched through cultural, physical and artistic pursuits. More information on specific areas of the curriculum can be found in the Junior School Handbook which is available from the Junior School Office.

School Camps

The outdoor education programme aims to introduce students to, and progressively develop, skills in camping, adventure activities and social interaction. These structured outdoor experiences promote aspects of personal development such as self-esteem, resourcefulness, interdependence, independence, leadership, judgement, cooperation, tolerance and determination. This time in the outdoors also allows the students to become more aware of the effect they have on the environment.

National Standards

Information for parents about National Standards can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

Group Trips

Although limited in the Junior years, a number of class or group trips are also offered to students throughout the year. These may be curriculum related, or for a particular year group, or for students interested in performing international community service etc. In April, a number of Middle and Senior students are travelling to Gallipoli and although this is not open to Junior School students, there is still an opportunity for Junior School families to be involved in the official remembrance book. Click on the experience below, to view more information.

Southern Europe Odyssey: 'Gallipoli' 2010

Houses

All students in Junior School are part of a House system, which provides opportunities for children from all year levels to meet and work together in a cross-age situation. House staff and students meet regularly. All members of a family belong to the same House and therefore can be involved in school, community, spiritual, sport and cultural activities together.

Houses provide a vertical structure across all age groups within the Junior School where a spirit of cooperation across the age groups is fostered. House leaders are Year 6 students who are elected for the positions by their fellow House members.

Activities include:

Swimming and sport events

Planning and conducting fundraising days

Participating in cooperative games and activities

Planning and conducting special days for the school community and invited guests.

Effort Awards

Twice a year we hold Effort Award Assemblies following school reports.  These awards are presented to students from Year 3 to 6 only.  They show recognition of the effort the students have put in to their school work throughout the reporting cycle.

The criteria for these awards are as follows:

Gold - All Outstanding effort grades
Silver - Up to two Commendable with the rest being Outstanding effort grades
Bronze - Up to three Commendable with the rest being Outstanding effort grades

The effort criteria are on display on the walls of all Junior School classrooms and learning spaces.

Student-Led Conference Parent Information Evening

The information distributed to parents at our information evening can be downloaded by clicking here.  The presentation used during the evening can also be viewed by clicking here.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Children can choose to participate in a number of extra-curricular activities. These groups usually have set times during lunch or after school. Activities include a variety of sporting and cultural opportunities such as choirs, string orchestra, percussion orchestra, recorder group, drama group, dance group, guitar, gymnastics, environmental club, computer club, art club, mini ball, hockey, soccer, touch rugby, netball, cricket, water polo and tee ball.

Kristin students can also enrol for individual music tuition with itinerant specialist teachers. Instruments offered include violin, recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, voice, cello and piano. Some of these can be started at a very early age.

Information Communication Technology

The aim of the ICT programme in Junior School is to develop in students an ability to confidently and effectively use ICT to acquire, process and communicate information and explore the creative ways of transforming data.

All students have access to networked computers in their classrooms. A range of printers, scanners, digital and video cameras and other equipment is provided for use by the children.

Computers are used to support the Programme of Inquiry occurring in the classroom. Once teachers have identified the concepts, knowledge and attitudes to be developed during a Programme of Inquiry they consider the most appropriate way to use ICT.

Access to ICT enhances student learning by:

Enabling them to access people, resources and ideas that would not otherwise be available

Enabling them to creatively compile and manipulate information and ideas in various forms from a wide range of sources

Accommodating various learning styles, pace and preferences

Encouraging higher order thinking skills

Facilitating the production of high quality, creative work

Increasing motivation for learning and facilitating independent learning
 

For information on ICT Services to the entire school, click here.

Mathletics

This year all students in Year 2 to 6 have access to the Mathletics website.  Students have been provided with passwords and user names by their class teacher. The parent registration process allows parents to keep track of their child's progress. We encourage all parents to register and be actively involved with this programme.

To access the parent registration information, click here.
 

Chinese

The information presented at our information night about Chinese language teaching in the Junior School can be downloaded here.  Should you have any questions, or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact Katherine Yang  or Edith Poon  our Chinese teachers.

Academic Support

Kristin has established a reputation for academic excellence. We offer a vibrant, innovative, yet rigorous education. Highly qualified, motivated staff, with specialist teachers for curriculum areas, are committed to providing an environment in which our students can excel.

Kristin emphasises the total formation of each student as an individual with unique gifts and talents. Academic support in the form of the Library Information Centre, programmes for gifted and talented students, and those needing learner support, is available.

Library Information Centre

The Junior School Library Information Centre (LIC) is open for students from 8am each day. It is also open after school until 4.30pm for families. For more information on the LIC, click here to visit their pages.