Teaching & Learning

Caulfield South Primary School

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Literacy

At CSPS, literacy instruction is central to our educational approach, supported by a robust 120-minute daily structured literacy block. This extended time allows us to provide comprehensive and focused whole-class and small group instruction, ensuring that every student develops strong reading, writing and spelling skills from Prep.

Our structured literacy approach is foundational to our teaching and is supported by our REED pedagogical model. From Prep through to Year 2, we use the Little Learner Love Literacy systematic, synthetic phonics program to teach reading, writing and spelling. This early emphasis on phonics lays the groundwork for students to decode and encode words accurately and build a solid reading foundation. Additionally, students engage in rich literacy experiences using mentor texts to support the development of writing skills, reading comprehension and fluency. In the upper school, novel studies provide an engaging vehicle for the development of both reading and writing skills.

Our writing instruction is guided by the 6+1 Traits of Writing framework. This approach focuses on seven key traits that are essential for developing strong writing skills:

Ideas: The content and main message of the writing piece.

Organisation: The structure and logical flow of the writing.

Voice: The writer's unique perspective and personality conveyed through their writing.

Word Choice: The use of precise and impactful vocabulary.

Sentence Fluency: The rhythm and flow of sentences, including their complexity and variety.

Conventions: The adherence to grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules.

Presentation: The overall appearance of the writing, including neatness and formatting.

Students receive explicit instruction and feedback on each of the traits, helping them refine their writing skills and express their ideas more effectively. By focusing on these traits, we aim to cultivate confident and capable writers who can produce clear, engaging, and well-structured texts.

Our literacy instruction approach is designed to be inclusive and adaptive, catering to the diverse needs of our students. Through ongoing assessment and targeted interventions, we ensure that each student receives the support they need to progress at their own pace. Overall, our approach equips students with the essential skills and confidence needed for lifelong literacy success.

Numeracy

At Caulfield South Primary School we strive to provide a program of Mathematics that prepares our students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to operate mathematically in their everyday personal, work and civic lives.

Daily lessons, totaling a minimum 5 hours of instruction per week, are delivered through a comprehensive sequence of learning, aligned with the F-10 Victorian Mathematics Curriculum 2.0. The curriculum outlines essential learning in the areas of Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability. Additionally, the proficiencies of the curriculum: Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning, are fundamental to working mathematically and are applied across all six strands.

Caulfield South Primary School aims to deliver a concept-based Mathematics curriculum. That is, one that aims to develop the big ideas in Mathematics that are universal and can be applied to multiple situations. This aim is achieved through the provision of explicit teaching and engagement in quality tasks which allow all students to achieve and be challenged. Such tasks are developed to provide opportunities for collaboration with peers, deep and creative mathematical thinking, reasoning, justification and reflection.

We aim to develop learners who are flexible and creative in their mathematical thinking, who can apply their knowledge to real world applications, and who demonstrate positive mindset and confidence as they work to solve problems.

Through the prioritised use of concrete learning materials across all year levels, students are assisted to develop a deep understanding of core mathematical concepts before more abstract ideas are introduced.

At Caulfield South Primary School the teaching of mathematical language is prioritised, and each student’s ability to reason and articulate their mathematical thinking, while using correct terminology, is developed and valued.

Mathematics lessons from Foundation through to Year 6 contain a ‘Fluency’ component, where previously learnt concepts and skills are revised and practised to aid long term retention.

At Caulfield South Primary School teachers are focussed on catering for students at their point of need, with all lessons differentiated and designed with enabling and extension tasks linked to the learning focus of the lesson. We further assist students to reach their potential by providing Mathematics Intervention in small group settings, and Mathematics Enrichment classes for students in Years 3 to 6 who are achieving beyond the expected achievement standard. Participation in the APSMO Maths Explorer and Maths Olympiad Competitions is a feature of our Enrichment program.

PYP

Caulfield South Primary School is proud to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate. The PYP aims to develop internationally minded individuals who embody the attributes of the IB Learner Profile: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

The PYP at Caulfield South Primary integrates the Victorian Curriculum within an overarching framework of six transdisciplinary themes, explored each year: Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organise Ourselves and Sharing the Planet. These themes enable students to make meaningful connections across subjects and understand their learning in a global context. Our curriculum is designed to address students' academic needs while also supporting their social, physical, emotional and intercultural development.

This approach to learning not only makes learning more meaningful and impactful, but also nurtures autonomous and self-motivated learners. Through the 5 Essential Elements of the PYP—Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes, and Action—along with the IB Learner Profile, students are equipped with the tools to appreciate and care for the world and its people. By fostering positive behaviours and a sense of purpose in learning, Caulfield South Primary School empowers its students to become proactive and compassionate global citizens, ready to make a lasting and positive impact on the world.

STEM

What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, and it’s a big part of our learning journey! Our STEM program is all about getting kids excited about science and then using that knowledge to tackle real-world problems. We combine both the Science and Digital Technologies curricula to create a learning path that grows with your child from Prep (Foundation) all the way to Year 6.

Hands-On Learning Every Week
Every student gets to dive into one specialist STEM lesson each week, guided by a qualified STEM teacher. These lessons are packed with hands-on activities like building models, creating with Lego, and conducting cool experiments. Kids also get to explore simple coding by playing with robots like Beebots, Dash, and M-Tiny, while our senior students take it up a notch by programming with Micro computers.

Building Skills for the Future
Our STEM program isn’t just about science and tech; it’s also about building literacy, expanding vocabulary, and sharpening math skills. Students learn to collect data, create graphs, and make sense of results – all while having fun and exploring the exciting world of STEM!

Technology

Technology is integrated into the curriculum throughout all year levels. In Prep and Year 1, students are introduced to technology through the use of iPads. Students in Years 2 and 3 extend their learning through the use of Chromebooks, learning how to use the Google Suite of applications to support their learning.

In Year 4, families purchase a Chromebook for their child as part of our ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) program. Students use their Chromebook in their learning across all subjects, in balance with a traditional approach focusing on quality bookwork.

Safe use of technology is important and is an ongoing focus for all students. Students and families sign an ‘acceptable use’ agreement at the beginning of each year, outlining the expected behaviours for all students when using technology. Students participate in learning related to cyber-safety and with a focus on building critical online literacy skills.

Visual Arts

At Caulfield South Primary School, our Visual Arts program is designed to inspire and engage students through creative inquiry. This approach helps students connect their prior knowledge with new artistic experiences, fostering reflection and deepening their understanding. We offer a diverse range of activities, including drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and more, allowing students to express their ideas, emotions, and observations in meaningful ways.

A special feature of our program is the Year 6 Legacy Project. Here, students work with local artists to enhance the school environment, creating pieces like a ceramic chandelier, storybook character installations, and indigenous weaving artworks. These projects not only beautify our space but also connect students with cultural and historical art traditions, leaving a lasting impact on both the students and the community.

Peroforming Arts

Students at Caulfield South Primary School participate in a Music and Performing Arts lesson each week. Students experience music and movement in a variety of engaging ways.

There are many opportunities for students to learn instruments and perform music at our school. Across their time at school, students will experience learning instruments such as the recorder, bongo-drums, xylophones and ukulele.

Students have an opportunity to join our school choir and orchestra as they progress through the school. We also hold an annual school concert, where all students get to perform a song and dance on stage.

Music and performance is also prioritised in our extra-curricular programs, including a ‘Drum Corps’ for students in Years 5 and 6, and individual music instruction delivered by ‘Junior Rockers’.

Physical Education

Health and Physical Education enables students to develop skills, knowledge, understanding, and a willingness to positively influence both their own health and wellbeing and that of their communities. In an increasingly complex world that is rapidly changing, it is critical that young people have the support and opportunities they need to flourish as healthy, safe, active and informed citizens. (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, 2024)

Sport and PE have a high profile at CSPS. Students enjoy their Physical Education sessions and opportunities to participate in intra and interschool sport.

At CSPS we believe that Health and Physical Education encourages students to further develop and exhibit their understanding of our core values of positivity, respect, integrity, determination and excellence.

Physical Education is a sequentially developed and comprehensive skills-based program from Prep–6. It offers:

Fundamental and Complex Motor Skills - of running, jumping, coordination, bouncing, throwing, catching, kicking and striking
Fitness Activities
Gymnastics
Athletics
Dance
Prep-6 Intensive Swimming
Modified Games
Minor & Major Games

The Sports Program offers:

Intra-school Carnivals in Cross Country and Athletics
Winter Lightning Premiership (Grades 5–6) – Australian Rules Football, Soccer, Netball and T-Ball
Summer Lightning Premiership (Grades 5–6) - Basketball, Volleyball/Volley Stars, Cricket and Softball
District Swimming, Cross-Country and Athletics Carnivals
Division Competitions
Regional Competitions
State Competitions

All students are designated a ‘House’ when they are enrolled at CSPS. Our house names (updated by RAP committee, 2021) are Bunjils (green), Darraks (blue), Guyeems (red) and Warreenys (yellow).

Facilities – We appreciate and fully utilise our 200m running track and astroturf oval. We are eagerly looking forward to a $9 million competitive basketball stadium being built in the near future.

Community Events – The CSPS community are encouraged to participate in community events such as parkrun, the Melbourne Marathon Festival and the 2XU Wellness Run.

LOTE

The Italian course at Caulfield South Primary is designed to ignite an interest in Italian language and culture, opening doors to a world of personal, social, and cultural experiences. By immersing themselves in the Italian language, students embark on an exciting educational adventure, delving into the vibrant culture of la bella Italia, beautiful Italy. Basic vocabulary is taught, with the use of computers, and the students revise by playing games both in the classroom and online. Senior students work at their own pace on Duolingo, a language learning app that is used internationally, as well as several other online apps to support their language acquisition. An annual highlight is our Italian cultural day where students take part in fun Italian cultural activities and games.

Student Leadership

Students have a range of opportunities to become leaders in our school. Our Junior School Council meets on a weekly basis and consists of students across our school, who have been nominated as a representative by their class. The Junior School Council prioritises fundraising for school improvement projects and ‘friend-raising’ to make our school a happier place!

In Year 6, students can nominate for formal leadership positions, including School Captain. Our Year 6 student leaders take on significant roles of responsibility, modelling outstanding behaviours to our younger students and representing the school at significant events.

All Year 6 students have an opportunity to lead as ‘term leaders’, helping to facilitate our weekly assemblies. This program ensures all students have an opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills and experience presenting to a large audience.

Wellbeing

Academic

Students have opportunities for extension, support and celebrations of learning at our school. Students identified to be achieving significantly above the expected level in their learning may have the opportunity to participate in programs outside of their classroom. This includes our ‘maths enrichment’ program, the DE’s ‘High Ability Program’ and other standalone activities targeted at high-achieving students. Families also have an opportunity to register their children to participate in the ICAS international academic assessments.

Students who require additional support will be identified and support through intervention programs in English and Mathematics. This may include modifications made in the classroom, as well as targeted programs run outside of the classroom.

Extra Curricular Activities

Junior Rockers

Junior Rockers offers dynamic and engaging music lessons tailored for primary school students, bringing the excitement of learning an instrument directly to schools. With experienced instructors, students can explore guitar, drums, and keyboard, developing musical skills in a fun, supportive environment. Whether a beginner or advancing musician, Junior Rockers' program nurtures creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love for music.

CSPS Drum Corps

Drum Corps is offered as an extracurricular activity to Year 5 & 6 students at Caulfield South Primary School. It has been running since 1998 and continues to be led by Drum Corps Master, Mr Sandy Hood.

Students participate in Drums Corps Practice each Friday morning at 7:30am and learn core skills to participate in several events throughout the year. Some events include the ANZAC Day Parade, Australia Day celebrations, Remembrance Day and the CSPS March Out at the end of the year.

It is very highly regarded within our school community and beyond and our students take great pride in participating and serving our community in this way.

Soccerwise - After School Program

At CSPS Soccerwise provides a fun based soccer program for students from Prep to Year 6. It is run after school as an extracurricular activity on Wednesdays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

For bookings or enquiries please phone 0419 253 837 or 0409 890 742 or email bookings@soccerwise.com.au

For further information please view our website www.SoccerWise.com.au

Tennis - Hot Shots

The team at Fit For Kids Co. provide tennis lessons at CSPS using the Tennis Hotshots Program, the official junior program endorsed by Tennis Australia.

The program is a fun modified program that is designed specifically for kids. The team use modified equipment & age specific smaller nets to ensure that your child will progress through the various stages of the sport in a fun and stimulating environment. Designed for beginner to intermediate levels with all ages welcome. Click here for more information or email.

Chess Club

Unlock your child's potential with Caulfield South Primary School’s Chess Program, expertly delivered by Chess Idea's, Melbourne's premier chess coaching company. Our small group sessions, designed by Victoria’s top coaches including Grand Master Darryl Johannsen, are available from Prep to Year 6 and provide a dynamic learning experience that enhances cognitive skills such as spatial awareness, critical thinking, and strategic analysis. Chess not only fosters intellectual growth but also builds social skills and resilience. Discover the benefits firsthand with a free trial and see why chess is more than just a game—it’s a gateway to lifelong learning and achievement.