The curriculum that we use at Alkimos Beach Primary School is the West Australian Curriculum which clearly articulates the skills needed for children to become successful learners, helps to prepare them for life in Australia and empowers them to achieve success in the future. Our aim, to provide a dynamic and innovative curriculum that challenges, excites and inspires children to become successful and confident learners, and achieve their best, is the main driving force behind how we design and deliver our curriculum.
The Western Australian Curriculum encompasses the Australian Curriculum, setting out the knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes that students are expected to acquire. The curriculum has a twenty-first century focus which includes three cross-curriculum priorities and seven general capabilities.
The Western Australian Curriculum comprises:
The Early Years Learning Framework
Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines
Pre-primary to Year 10 Curriculum
Alternative Curriculum Recognition.
Given the phased development of the Australian Curriculum, schools will be teaching some learning areas from the Australian Curriculum supplemented by learning areas described in the former Western Australian Curriculum Framework. As the Australian Curriculum is developed, it will gradually replace the Curriculum Framework in Western Australia.
Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum is from Foundation (Pre-Primary) to Year 12 and sets out the core knowledge, understandings, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. Teachers across Australia are implementing the Australian Curriculum. Western Australia has implemented the first phase of the Australian Curriculum which includes English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences and Health & Physical Education.
There are three key design features of the Australian Curriculum:
- Learning area content descriptions and achievement standards.
- General capabilities.
- Cross-curriculum priorities.
General Capabilities:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- ICT
- Critical and creative thinking
- Personal and social competence
- Intercultural understanding
- Ethical behaviour
Cross-curriculum priorities:
- Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
- Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
- Sustainability