Curriculum

The essential aim of Religious Education in Cathedral School is to encourage and assist children in their growth to Christian maturity, a growth that will culminate in their free commitment, in faith and relationship to Jesus, within the Church.

Religious Education at Cathedral School covers a variety of programs and Liturgical celebrations.

The Religious Education programme implements the Diocesan Religious Education Guidelines as approved by the Bishop of Bathurst. These Guidelines are supported by the core resource documents “To Know, Worship and Love” which has been produced by the Bathurst Catholic Education Office. A structured scope and sequence of outcomes to be achieved by students is provided for grades Kindergarten to Six.

The students engage in learning experiences that will enable them to develop:

• a knowledge and thoughtful understanding of the Scriptures and a sensitivity to them as the Word of God speaking in their lives;
• a knowledge of Catholic doctrine understood in the light of its development in tradition and under the teaching authority of the Church;
• knowledge and understanding to make moral judgements and decisions, and to see these as a way of realising their relationship with Jesus;
• the ability to pray, both formally and reflectively, so that this ability can grow and deepen;
• the ability to understand and to share actively and personally in liturgy;
• the ability to relate to others in a way that reflects Jesus’ commandment of love;
• a sensitivity to and appreciation of the meaning of life, its events and responsibilities;
• an appreciation of their membership of the Church, initiated at Baptism and leading to active participation in parish life;
• an awareness and appreciation of Christian values in life, and to encourage them to act in accordance with them.

English programs reflect the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) K-10 Syllabus requirements and are designed to allow students to use language to learn about language.

Our aim is to allow each child to become competent in all aspects of language and to communicate effectively through speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing.

Children are encouraged to think in ways that are imaginative, creative, interpretative and critical and to shape, make and share meaning according to purpose, audience and context. Students will understand the power of effective communication and the role of language in developing positive interaction and co-operation with others.

As a result of experiences offered, students will learn how to speak, listen, read and write in many contexts, to use English to learn in all Key Learning Areas and to develop fundamental knowledge and understanding of Language. This basis will enable students to use English as a tool for effective learning throughout life.

Mathematics programs are in harmony with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) K-10 Syllabus requirements and aim to develop student’s understanding and fluency through inquiry, exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying problem-solving skills and reasoning.

Through planned opportunities to explore, discover, describe and record relationships, patterns and processes, children’s understanding of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability are sequentially developed.

Teachers strive to challenge each student to achieve at the highest level they are capable of and to plan problem-solving and investigative activities to stimulate childrens’ curiosity and enjoyment of Mathematics. A main emphasis is placed on understanding the key strands and the acquisition of language and skills for effective communication of mathematical ideas and experiences. The use of concrete materials is widespread throughout the Mathematics program.

Science and Technology programmes are developed in each grade. They reflect the philosophy of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Science and Technology Syllabus document.

A student’s sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural and made world is fostered through actively engaging in the processes of Working Scientifically and Working Technologically. Through questioning and seeking solutions to problems, students develop an understanding of the relationships between science and technology, and the significance of their contribution to and influence on society.

Students are provided with opportunities to think and act critically and creatively based on evidence and reason, and to participate responsibly in developing innovative working solutions and ideas in response to posed questions or problems.

Through engaging in Science and Technology learning, students will begin to develop the capabilities needed to become more scientifically and technologically literate citizens.

Human Society And Its Environment encompasses the two areas of History and Geography and focuses on peoples, cultures, societies and environments.

In History, we aim to stimulate students’ interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past. Students will investigate the actions, motives and lifestyles of people over time beginning with individuals and family members and extending to local, national and worldwide contexts. They will examine written, visual and oral sources in order to interpret, apply and communicate information about the past with a view to understanding how the past has shaped our world.

In Geography, students will study places and the relationships between people and their environments. They will learn to question why the world is as it is, reflect on their relationships with and responsibilities for the world and propose actions designed to shape a socially just and sustainable future. Students will develop skills to acquire, process and communicate information in order to become active, responsible and informed citizens.

The school is concerned with developing an individual competence, creativity, knowledge and appreciation of Creative Arts especially Music and Visual Arts.

Through a graded sequence of activities based on the NESA Music Curriculum statements and the Visual Arts document, the children are provided with opportunities to express themselves, their thoughts, feelings, observations and imagination in creative and artistic form.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Cathedral School takes great pride in its instrumental music program that comprises four school bands (Stage Band, Concert Band, Transition Band and Training Band) as well as a Guitar Group and Elective Choir.

Instrumental Music lessons are available at the school via various agencies.

The ethos of our school seeks to promote a sense of the worth and dignity of each student in the school as a human being. This is encouraged through the development of interpersonal skills that are exercised as the children inter-relate on a daily basis.

Personal Development is often integrated in units of works studied in both Religious Education and Human Society and its Environment that focus largely on acceptance of people from a number of ethnic origins who live in our community.

Students are given the opportunity to be involved in physical activities that encourage active participation by all children and an awareness of, and the importance of an active lifestyle. An emphasis is on increasing the abilities of people to make informed decisions regarding factors that effect personal and community health.

School Carnivals are held in Swimming, Cross Country Running and Athletics and pathways are in place to enable athletes to compete in Diocesan, State and National Carnivals.