Eblana Campus Overview

EBLANA FOUNDATION TO YEAR 4

In Eblana, we celebrate the uniqueness of each child, believing they have amazing capacities and potential to learn. We view each student as a person of strength, curiosity, creativity and intelligence.

Eblana is a place where children discover who they are; learn to express their opinion and listen to others; learn about the world around them, strive to be their personal best and fulfil their need to know more.

With a focus on developing positive, personal attributes of good citizenship and responsibility, students take their place as valued members of the Community fulfilling the promise of the School’s motto: Labore et Honore - ‘by work and with honour’. We believe that children are entitled to develop strong positive relationships with themselves and others. We nurture caring, resilient students, who appreciate the differences in each other in an environment that cultivates relationships. Through the RULER program, we foster an environment where students develop emotional intelligence, self-regulation and the skills to thrive and contribute to society through service to others. By focusing on both the mind and the heart, we cater for students’ intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development. The program is underpinned by the Mentone Grammar core values of Endeavour, Caring, Resilience, Integrity, Respect, Discipline and Service. We recognise that children are naturally curious and eager to experiment and explore in order to make meaning of the world around them. Based on current educational research, learning is facilitated through a combination of inquiry learning and explicit teaching. Our program is not textbook driven, but rather, it is respectful of the individual needs of our students, where our expert teachers take full advantage of the interests and passions of learners to drive inquiries. With a focus on developing core foundational skills in Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and Technology, including ICT, students acquire conceptual understanding and knowledge. Integrating disciplinary areas provides opportunities for students to apply skills across the subjects and enables them to delve more deeply into the concepts and topics they are investigating. The combination of flexible indoor and outdoor learning environments in Eblana is designed to enhance student learning and

connection to nature. Eblana’s ‘Discovery Garden’, ‘Magic Garden’ and play areas allow for different types of learning through play while promoting discovery, appropriate risk-taking and challenge. Contemporary indoor learning spaces can be transformed according to the learning experience. The walls are sources of learning too. Through documentation and curated displays of inquiry processes in each year level, learning is made visible in the space contributing to students’ abilities to reflect and learn from each other. Personal achievement is central to the Eblana philosophy. Student learning is measured using Victorian curriculum outcomes that indicate what a student should know and be able to do. Ongoing assessment informs differentiated instruction, so that students are catered for according to their needs and next steps in learning. Effective differentiation in classrooms includes teachers partnering with students to set goals, and students knowledgeably participating in the process because they understand themselves as learners.

LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS: EBLANA Continued

LITERACY

Language skills, concepts and processes are taught in relevant, authentic and meaningful contexts across the curriculum. Through a variety of instructional strategies, our students are empowered to learn language, learn about language and learn through language. Learning occurs in a language-rich environment in which a strong focus on oral language is maintained. Children are invited to speak, listen, read, write and view. They reflect on multimodal texts with accuracy, fluency and purpose. They develop an appreciation of literature, and gain a sense of the power of language to stir emotions, convey information, form ideas, entertain, persuade and argue.

LANGUAGES

Students from Foundation learn Chinese Mandarin through listening, speaking, reading and writing; broadening their comprehension as they progressively move through each year level. Cultural, geographic and historical aspects other than language are also studied to give our students appreciation of others in our world. Children are encouraged to participate in language activities to develop their individual interest and talents.

NUMERACY

In today's increasingly technology-based society, knowledge and understanding of mathematics is becoming ever more important in everyday life. Learning and teaching of mathematics in Eblana aims to develop enjoyment and fascination, as well as confidence and skills, so that they see the value and importance of numeracy. At each year level, the study of mathematics equips students with understanding, knowledge, skills and practices in the main strands: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. Understanding fluency, problem-solving and reasoning are integral as students progressively develop their abilities to think critically, solve problems of various kinds, and communicate their thinking effectively.

SCIENCE

During Science, students observe, investigate and respond to such topics as their senses, lifecycles, the needs of living things and changes in substances, taking in biological, chemical and Earth and space scientific investigation. Science in Eblana is designed to develop a student’s interest and appreciation of exploring, discovering and understanding the changing world in which they live. It provides a basic understanding of scientific inquiry methods. In addition, students develop the ability to communicate scientific understanding and use evidence to solve problems and make decisions through a hands-on approach. Science in Eblana is organised in the three interrelated strands of Science Understanding, Science Inquiry Skills and Science as a Human Endeavour.

HUMANITIES

During Humanities, students view their importance, place and participation in the family, the neighbourhood and the broader community as well as studying Australia’s people and their unique environment. Through History Studies students develop their capacity and willingness to be active and informed citizens. In Eblana, key inquiry questions provide a framework for developing a student’s historical knowledge, understanding and skills. An opportunity is provided to focus on key concepts such as continuity and change, significance and perspectives; organised in two interrelated strands, Historical Knowledge and Understanding, and Historical Skills. There is an emphasis on Australian History so that students better understand Australian experiences including the past and present experiences of indigenous Australians, their identity and the continuing value of their culture.

THE ARTS

Education through the Arts touches the mind, body and spirit and is a powerful force in our lives. It can help us develop an appreciation and understanding of ourselves and of cultures of the world. Through listening, performing and creating, opportunities are created for students to gain a deeper understanding of the Arts as a medium of communication and to express themselves. Furthermore, discussion, analysis and reflection help students become educated consumers of art forms. In Music, the classroom program is Orff and Kodaly based with the curriculum focusing on developing aural skills and musical appreciation through the aid of percussion instruments, music and movement. Orchestral strings classes are a compulsory part of the curriculum in Years 2 and 3, and offered in Year 4 for those students wishing to continue. Eblana, students are also encouraged to learn musical instruments on an individual basis through private tuition. Expert tuition from music tutors is available for: piano, strings, woodwind, brass, voice, guitar and percussion. The Performing Arts program is both exciting and comprehensive and offers a broad range of engaging performance experiences. The Visual Arts program aims to foster a love of creativity, self-expression and learning. Visual Arts helps to engage students in critical and creative thinking so they can understand themselves and the world. The purpose of the program is to engage and challenge students in a way that encourages them to take risks and have a go, apply their vision and to make artwork that is unique and individual. Visual Arts allows students to create and critically explore visual culture and artworks that involve the fusion of traditional forms with digital media. Engagement in the Visual Arts allows students to communicate their perceptions, observations and understanding of structures, functions and concepts drawn from other areas of the curriculum. Learning in the Visual Arts is sequential, and students have continuous experience in exploring the principles and elements. The Arts programs in Eblana reflect the cultural diversity of students and communities though exploring music and visual art from different cultures, including the traditions of Indigenous Australians. The annual Christmas performances and the Wakakirri experience combine the elements of Visual Arts, Dance, Drama and Music to provide spectacular opportunities for all students to perform.

TECHNOLOGIES

Students learn how to use technologies (digital and product based) to design and create innovative solutions that meet current and future needs. Students enjoy practical opportunities to be users, designers and producers of new technologies as they engage in design thinking and project based inquiries.

Please note: In accordance with COVID-19 regulations, some Eblana events may be modified during 2023.