ORAN PARK ANGLICAN COLLEGE a campus of Thomas Hassall Anglican College

PREP – YEAR 8 2015

INFORMATION

02 4604 0000 admin@opac.nsw.edu.au

www.opac.nsw.edu.au Peter Brock Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570

PO Box 1293, Narellan NSW 2567

The College – Junior and Senior Oran Park Anglican College was established in 2012 by the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation and is a campus of Thomas Hassall Anglican College. As an Anglican College within the Diocese of Sydney, our programs, curriculum, approach to pastoral care and discipline are informed and underpinned by the values, principles and truths contained in the Bible. What we believe influences what we do. The College is registered and accredited by the Board of Studies. Our ethos is therefore both Christian and Anglican. Our Christian Studies program, which is taught from Prep to Year 8, is designed to help students understand Christianity so that as they mature they can make an informed assessment of its relevance to their life. The College provides a place where all students are valued and nurtured. We educate the child academically; socially, physically and foster their Christian journey. The values we teach are Christ centred and our Christian beliefs and attitudes come through every day in all that we teach. We run programs for all levels of academia.

Educational Programs The programs that we develop are based on the NSW Board of Studies Syllabus documents. They are used in most schools throughout the state. They are outcomes based which means that the progress of your child will be matched to stage appropriate outcomes that have been set for each key learning area. We strive to enable each child to reach their potential in all areas.

Co-curricular Cru Groups – Christian lunchtime groups for Years 3 – 8. A place where students can have fun, make new friends and learn more about Christianity and learning to serve. College Choir – Students from K-6 learn how to sing together in unison, in rounds and in 2 part harmonies. College Band – Students have the opportunity to learn a variety of songs and perform at selected events. College Dance Group – Students dance for fun and learn routines. Peripatetic Music Lessons – Currently available for voice, guitar, keyboard, clarinet, drums, saxophone, flute and beginner brass (trombone, trumpet, french horn).

Football Program – The College hosts a football program in conjunction with the Western Sydney Wanderers. We have expert coaches and trained staff that assist with the training and coaching. This is a unique opportunity offered by this College and assists students to support the College’s strong academic endeavours by having a cutting edge co-curricular, football program. It aims to develop players’ technical and tactical skills, knowledge and understanding of the game and to set the highest standards for personal growth through sport.

Football is a rapidly emerging industry within Australia. The College acknowledges that a range of career opportunities can exist. It is the program’s intention to nurture participants in a range of football related disciplines including coaching, refereeing, sports administration and sports media as they progress through their schooling.

Sport Kindergarten – Year 2 Students participate in weekly a PE lesson and Sport time. During these sessions, students learn gross motor skills and also participate in zumba, tennis, gymnastics and swimming lessons as an example. Years 3 – 6 Students participate each week in a PE lesson and organised sport. Students may participate in a College sporting program or an inter-school weekly sporting competition through IPSSO (Independent Primary Schools Sporting Organisation). Senior School Students participate each week in a PE lesson and organised sport. Students may participate in a College sporting program or an inter-school weekly sporting competition through MISA (Macarthur Independent Schools Association). Representative Sport – Years 3-8 Selected students have the opportunity to compete in a range of sports representing the College at NASSA (New Anglican Schools Sports Association) Gala Days. Such Gala Days may also involve selection of a NASSA team. Students will participate in a College Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnival. If selected, students will represent the College at the NASSA Carnival. Outstanding students at the NASSA Gala Days can be selected to represent NASSA at the 3-6 NSWCIS (NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council) Championships or Years 7-8 at the AICES (Association of Co-Educational Schools) Championships. These championships may also include selection for the NSWCIS at state level and up.

Technology The College has electronic whiteboards and desktop computers for each classroom as well as laptop and iPad banks to be available during class time. The College has wifi available to students during class time for research activities and online resources including Maths and Literacy programs.

Gifted & Talented

At Oran Park Anglican College, we value the whole child and so we aim to provide for each child’s learning needs. We believe that each child has a gift to be nurtured and since children develop at different rates, the process of identifying these gifts is an ongoing activity. Provision for gifted students ranges from differentiation within class/subject programs to acceleration in one area or all for the small percentage of students whose gifts are of such a high order that they need to be with older age peers who have similar cognitive abilities to their own. We have a varied co-curricular program and opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and take part in community service. We aim for our College environment to be one that encourages and values excellence in all areas. Competitions Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions including Maths Olympiad and the University of NSW International Competitions in Computer Skills, Science, Writing, Spelling, English and Mathematics. The students enjoy using their thinking skills and strategies in these activities and the competition involved.

Learning Support The College’s Learning Support teacher may assist with the identification of additional learning and support needs to ensure that the educational needs of all students are being met. The Learning Support teacher works collaboratively with the classroom teacher to support the learning of their students with additional educational needs. The Learning Support teacher uses a range of teaching strategies to provide support in the areas of social integration, language and communication, literacy, numeracy and behaviour.

Health and Wellbeing Our Counsellor has a wide range of skills and expertise that enable them to assist students, parents and teachers. This can range from issues that may be affecting a student’s educational progress, issues with adjustment, learning difficulties, behavioural management, special education, social skills, family relationships, grief and loss, personal development, study skills, protective behaviours, transitioning across sectors, conflict resolution and more.

Prep School

What is Prep? The purpose of our Prep program is to prepare students for Kindergarten. To enrol in our Prep program children must turn 4 by 30th April. The structured program taught in Prep is based on the Early Stage One Curriculum which dovetails into the Kindergarten program. The children will be prepared for the formal learning that will take place in the following year. The children acquire the skills needed for writing and also basic mathematical concepts. They learn to listen, follow directions, work as a group and to socialise with others. They learn through play and language activities, as well as more formal activities. They learn basic sounds and sightwords when they are ready. The program gradually becomes more challenging as the year progresses. Transition to College will be easier as the child will be familiar with the rules and routines of the College. They will participate in all the College activities such as Easter Hat Parade, Grandparents Day, assemblies and other College events. They will be used to the playground and the facilities such as the sporting field. Children will feel part of our College family, whether they are siblings or new families to the College and both you and your child will begin to form relationships with the staff and families from the College.

Prep School times 9.00 am to 3.00 pm

Available Prep School days 2 day class – Tuesday and Thursday 3 day class – Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Junior School

Literacy The College provides levelled take home readers for K-2 students to improve their reading skills. Each class will have group reading sessions and class library sets for borrowing.

Healthy Eating

Oran Park Anglican College is involved in Live Life Well @ School and Crunch 'n' Sip. What is Live Life Well @ School? Live Life Well @ School is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Education and Communities and NSW Ministry of Health that aims to get more students, more active, more often, as well as improving students’ eating habits. The program aims to develop teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching nutrition and physical education including fundamental movement skills as part of the K-6 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus. Garden Club Students can participate in planting, growing and harvesting raw foods for the College to use as part of the Live Life Well @ School program. Crunch 'n' Sip Crunch ‘n’ Sip is a scheduled break at Oran Park Anglican College for students to 'refuel' on fruit and salad vegetables and 'rehydrate' with water.

Active After College Sports Program The College is part of the Active After-School Communities (AASC) Program. This program is an Australian Government initiative that provides primary school children with free sport and other structured physical activity programs after College. The program runs for 7 weeks each term and is currently available on 2 afternoons each week. An outside coach is provided and a staff member assists.

Junior School times 8.50 am to 3.20 pm

Senior School

Subjects Year 7 subjects include: English, Science, Maths, HSIE, PDHPE, TAS, Music, Christian Studies, IT and Visual Arts.

Currently in Year 7, all students learn the guitar.

IPad Program Senior School students are expected to provide their own iPad as part of their technology at College. Students will have access to wifi and will use the iPads for their textbooks, research during class time, TAS and visual arts activities. Facilities The College has rooms dedicated to the Senior School including Science lab, Visual Arts classroom and Food Technology kitchen.

Home Work Study Centre The College offers an after College Homework Study Centre for students in Senior School on Thursdays, during term time, between 3.30 pm and 5.00 pm. The Study Centre is run by encouraging, friendly tutors in a variety of subject areas. It is a place where students can get extra support and assistance and also provides an environment for students to focus on homework and assessment tasks. The College provides participants with refreshments/ afternoon tea. To maximise the Study Centre features, students are encouraged to attend prepared and focussed with questions and assessment task requirements.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an Internationally recognised award and is available for students who are 14 years old and older. The Award is a flexible, interesting and action packed program for young people to participate in a number of activities over a set length of time. It is entirely voluntary and is structured so the participants can design their own unique program centred on their interests and passions. There are three levels to The Duke of Ed: Bronze/Silver/Gold. The great thing about The Award is that it allows you to piggy-back onto activities you're already doing, such as surf lifesaving, playing sport, playing in a band... or, you can start something you’ve always dreamed of doing but haven’t had the reason to begin. A great time Life changing experiences Travel and adventure Connecting with people all over the world Making a difference

Senior School times 8.30 am to 3.20 pm