STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

The STEM program at Coburg West covers the specific knowledge and skills found in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines. It also covers the interrelationship between these areas, allowing learning to be delivered in an integrated way, helping a deeper engagement in the four disciplines.

Students in the senior school receive a one hour weekly session in Semester One, while the junior school have their weekly lessons in Semester Two.

The STEM program is predominantly hands-on, allowing students to interact with the curriculum on a deeper level. The hands-on learning method allows students to apply what they are learning to the world around them.

Topics covered vary across the school and may include:

• Engineering Design Process
• Making Predictions, Observation, Testing, Evaluation, Recording Data, Drawing Conclusions from Data
• Aerodynamics
• Renewable and non-renewable Energy
• Hydraulics
• Gears
• Robotics
• Electric Circuits
• Coding
• Exploring natural world
• Exploring man-made world
• Biomimicry
• Properties of materials
• Forces
• Friction

A typical STEM lesson allows students to:

• Come up with several different possible solutions for a problem.
• Combine materials and ideas in clever and imaginative ways to create a solution.
• Design a prototype and test it to see if this device solves the problem.
• Successfully evaluate their testing results, and analyse and interpret their data.
• Recognize things they can do to change and improve the design of the prototype.
• Communicate ideas in new and innovative ways.
• Feel “safe” in expressing out-of-the-box imaginative ideas.
• Believe that it’s safe to fail, and then use failure as an opportunity to improve
• Suggest increasingly creative ideas for solving a problem.
• Show increased persistence in sticking with finding solutions for a problem.
• Take ownership of their projects and learning.
• Express increasing curiosity and ask more questions.
• Transfer STEM practices to other subject areas.

To ensure consistency throughout the school all units reflect curriculum guidelines and a variety of teaching and learning approaches including inquiry based learning, problem based learning, design process and creative learning.

Languages. Italian and Greek
At Coburg West Primary we offer students the choice of Italian or Greek language and cultural study.Both languages are offered from Prep to Grade Six for one hour per week.

Topics studied in lower grades include greetings, numbers, colours and a variety of themes that support wider classroom programs. At senior levels a more advanced language program is introduced.

Our focus is on communicating and understanding how a language works and gaining insights into the culture which gives the language its life and meaning. Students learn to communicate in the target language for many purposes and in many contexts and are able to extend their social contacts through Sister School Programs (Italian) or consulate assistant teachers (Greek).

ICT programs and resources, including i Pads, play a major part in our language program to further asssit students with their studies.

Physical Education
Coburg West has an extensive Physical Education program providing opportunties for active participation, skill development and exercise for all students.

Our full size indoor basketball court and hall are utilised for weekly Physical Education sessions for all grades, impleemented by a trained PE teacher. A swimming program is provided for Grade 3-4 students along with a sport program where students are encouraged to undertake leadership roles. Foundation year students are provided with a weekly Perceptual Motor Progam. Senior students participate in inter school sport, cross country events and athletics carnivals.

Coburg West Primary celebrates physical activity and places emphasis on:

• Fun, enjoyment and a measure of success for all
• Skill acquisition and development
• Positive sporting behaviour, cooperation and respect for others

Visual Arts Program
The F-6 Visual Arts program provides opportunity for students to express themselves creatively using a range of mediums and techniques. Skill development is encouraged and all students are provided with a weekly lesson in our dedicated Visual Arts space.

A highlight of our Visual Arts program is our visiting artist program and our Art Show held every second year. Student achievement is celebrated in displays throughout the school and there are many opportunities to contribute to collaborative artworks to enhance the Coburg West school environment.

Music and Performing Arts
The performing Arts program operates from Monday to Friday and each class is timetabled for one hour of weekly instruction. Performing Arts consists of four key components encompassing Music, Drama, Dance and Media. In Prep, students experience Performing Arts through viewing,games and simple tasks.In grades 1-6, students work collaboratively on tasks they plan, rehearse and perform.

The wider Performing Arts program includes a drum band, string ensemble, choir and rock band. These groups rehearse once an week and perform at school assemblies, concerts, fetes and out of school music events.

After hours private music tuition also takes place at the school. Students have the option to have individual or group lessons. The musical instruments offered are: classical guitar, violin, cello, keyboard and drums.