STUDENTS at Swan Hill Primary School are being well-equipped for the careers of the future with unique access to specialist science classes from Prep to Grade 6.
Swan Hill Primary School principal Hayley Doyle said the science classes, with teachers Bruce Stevens and Megan Grant, were designed to promote creativity and innovative thinking in students.
“We’re the only school that offers that program in this area,” she said.
“Students get to do lots of hands-on activities, learn robotics, learn how to program robots and all of those things from a very young age.
“We are setting them up for the new generation where those skills are required more than they were in the past. And the computer programming side of things is something that is really important going forward.
“Our science program is quite unique. Sometimes we forget that not every student at the primary school level gets the opportunity for those hands on science lessons. “
The science classes are part of the school’s suite of specialist subjects, which also include PE, music and Indonesian.
As well as running weekly specialist PE classes, Max Carroll organises a range of fun sporting and lunchtime activities that encourage children to enjoy exercise and move more. And parents with children at the school can rest easier knowing they won’t have to endure the torture of recorder practice at home.
The ear-busting instruments have been replaced by ukuleles, dance and movement in the school’s specialist music classes, led by teachers Andrew Kelly and Clare Phyland.
Ms Doyle said it was mandatory for schools to teach students a second language, and long-time Indonesian teacher Leigh Paynter makes regular visits to the islands to be immersed in the language.
The school also recently employed a language assistant, Hasni Semmang, whose mother tongue is Indonesian.
Ms Doyle said parents of prospective students were welcome to take a tour of the school and see the specialist classes in action. To arrange a tour, call (03) 5032 1336.
