CURRICULUM

The River School follows the National Curriculum. We also offer a Learning Support teacher as well as Specialist teachers for children with special needs, and have had excellent results integrating these students into classroom life.

Regular Activities

Morning Circle:

The school week begins with an all-school morning circle that incorporates meditation, singing, a candle-lighting ceremony, small performances, our virtues program and general announcements. Parents often attend these uplifting gatherings, and are always welcome to take part.

Body Awareness:

Throughout the year the River School has different accents on physical activity and development. In Term 2, in preparation for the annual “Jump for Heart,” all primary school students learn, develop and practice jumping rope skills and techniques.
In preparation for our Olympics Day in Term 3, all primary children participate in a body awareness program three mornings a week, which incorporates a variety of activities such as body warm-ups and stretches, brain gym, co-operative games, sports and sports integrity and specific training for our annual non-competitive Olympics.

Meditation& Yoga:

This is our daily ‘quiet time.’ Children benefit from early use of their imagination and intuition in creative visualisation and meditation exercises. Yoga exercises help children stretch and relax, and discussions at this time centre on the ‘Virtues’ and other introspective topics.

Virtues Program:

Every week all classes focus on a specific virtue which has been chosen at whole school Morning Circle. Topics, such as ‘Courage’, ‘Teamwork’ or ‘Compassion’ are covered.
Children do artwork, role-plays, journaling and participate in brainstorming and discussions to fully integrate the qualities of each virtue.  Acknowlegements are given when these virtuous qualities are displayed in words and actions.  Creating an awareness of these qualities enhances and envourages virtuous choices.

Enrichment Music:

Our music program began in 2004. We have developed a program with fun and feeling, giving children a broad range of instrumental and vocal experience, each primary class has one music session a week. This will lead to opportunities for individual tuition, group ensembles and performances through the school. Additionally, songs that reflect our themes of universalism, ecology and other themes or positive concepts are an important part of everyday learning, especially in the lower primary.
We also offer small group tuition in violin, cello and double bass with teacher Sue Moxon.  In 2006 our string ensemble was formed.

Languages:

Language studied may vary from year to year. Some of the languages already covered are Indonesian, Japanese and French. We intend to develop an all-school language program as resources permit.
Edward DeBono’s Six Hats:
Taught in early primary, this excellent program teaches children to consider all aspects in decision-making.

Arts, Crafts and Performances:

Art classes are a highlight at the River School with Art teacher Tracy Lewis. Tracy’s program compliments the individual class programs. Art is integrated into many different learning areas, from Maths to English, plus special art classes. Projects have included batik, cubby-building, sewing and candle-making, print-making and much more. Occasionally local artists come in to teach specific techniques, and children have the opportunity to do more in-depth projects during electives. Annually we display some of the children's art work at the local Maleny Show.

Children plan, design, direct and participate in performances at different levels - including role-plays in exploring different virtues, busking in town to raise money, skits at school camps, class speeches and presentations, musicals, plays and puppet shows, debates, and full-scale stage performances, such as our 2003 CD launch for over 300 people at the Maleny Community Centre, our 2004 10th year Celebration at the Showgrounds Pavilion with over 400 people enjoying food & performances,  we were also part of the celebrations in 2008 for the Maple Street Co-op's 30 year celebrations as well the stunning 2009 performance of 'The Lorax' performed by the primary students and produced by Kate Kazony our Drama/Yoga/Meditation teacher.

Electives:

Our whole-school elective program gives children a chance to study a wide range of subjects in depth such as video-making, lead-lighting, puppetry, cooking, outdoor adventures and dance. Currently they are held each term, with a mixing together of different age groups. Teachers, parents and local experts are invited to teach subjects of interest.

Computer Skills:

We have excellent computer resources in our upper primary classrooms including Apple iMacs as well as new iPads in Year 7.  All of our classes have computers and Activboards which enhance the learning experience which enables the staff and students to enjoy, benefit from and become proficient in the latest technology Children learn all necessary skills including internet research, typing, web design, report writing, layout and more, through practical projects eg movie making, Keynote and Powerpoint presentations. Use of computers is strictly limited to school-related pursuits (games are not permitted).

Special Themes and Project-Approach Learning:

In order to integrate the various learning areas, and make learning current and relevant, teachers and students choose regular themes and projects. For example, a theme of “ponds” in Year 1 included water testing, poetry writing, painting, nature studies and many other activities. Or, a Year 3 class decision to raise money to help injured wildlife, inspired a play about “the Council of Animals” for the public, with many related activities such as costume and stage design, advertising, food preparation, fundraising and budgeting, learning about animals and their habitats, and more. Other themes have included study of the world’s religions, ecology and recycling,

School Camps:

Once a year the entire school goes on a school camp. In third term the lower primary traditionally spends 3-4 days at the ‘House of Happiness’ on Bribie Island to enjoy watersports, relaxation, and goes on excursions to learn about local history, indigenous culture and local wildlife.

Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend the cultural evening. For energy levy parents may opt to help with the supervision of the children during the day activities and nights in the dormitories for all or part of each camp. At a different time in third or fourth term, the upper primary will either have their camp at Bribie Island or at other locations.

Every second year the Red Cedars (Years 7) attend a Challenge Camp in Term Four. The children fundraise during the year to prepare for this special week that features outdoor skills, a high-ropes course, orienteering and many opportunities to learn group interdependence and develop resilience.  In 2009 the first trip to Canberra was supported by fundraising with the first Red Cedars Voucher Book - this enable the whole class with staff and some parents to participate in a camp that included visits to educational and national landmarks as well as a trip to the snow.

Excursions:

Excursions are also an active and intrical part of our learning. We have explored many parts of our local environment, from hikes up the creek, to examination of the town rubbish bins to learn about recycling, to visits to the beach and local waterfalls, museums, zoos and more.

River School Olympics:

Each year in Term 3 we hold our full-day River School Olympics. The children train hard in various events, including obstacle courses, hammer and javelin throw, long jump and sprints, then compete to beat their own scores from earlier in the term. Parents and families turn out for the day of fun and competition, which begins with an Olympic march around the oval and ends with silly races.