Energy Breakthrough
The Energy Breakthrough Challenge in an annual event hosted in Maryborough with thousands of students participating from across Victoria. The event encompasses broad and inclusive learning in all areas of the curriculum while students create a sustainable Human Powered Vehicle and Pushcart for presentation and competition. Avoca Primary School has had many years of highest level success in the Energy Breakthrough, competing and winning overall in the HPV1 category 2013-2019.
Community
Avoca Primary School is a vibrant part of the local community with students actively participating in local activities including openings, special events, concerts, celebrations and commemorations, including our significant participation in the Avoca Anzac Day ceremony. Students also regularly visit the Country Women’s Association, Hospital, Nursing Home, Men’s Shed, Town Library other community organisations and local businesses.
Camps
Camps for Avoca students respond to the needs of the curriculum and the students. Outdoor adventure and beach experiences are the focus in years 3 and 4 while biannually our 5 and 6 students travel to the nation’s capital, Canberra, for a comprehensive program of learning in Politics, Civics and Citizenship and Economics. Student leaders also have the opportunity to attend the Doxa leadership camp, Woorabinda and Sommers Camps.
Arts
Avoca Primary Students have many opportunities to engage with the Arts through both our Visual and Performing Arts programs. In addition our links to the community allow students to exhibit works in competition and students have designed promotional material for community events. Our annual School Concert held at the Avoca Town Hall has grown so popular we hold both a Matinee and Evening performance.
Sports
Health and participation are essential elements to our approach to all our sporting endeavours. We provide a range of sporting opportunities through Athletics, Lightning Premierships in Football, Netball, T-Ball Soccer and Basketball competing with other schools in the district. Our school swimming programs is held at the Avoca pool and annually culminates in the School Swimming Carnival.
Student Leadership
Avoca Primary School has a long standing tradition of Student Leadership with opportunities including House Captains, School Captains and Student Voice. Our Student Leaders coordinate many events through the School year including Assemblies, Sporting events, ANZAC and Remembrance Ceremonies as well as fundraising for various charities throughout the year. In addition to this our senior students act as Buddies to prep students assisting with the transition to primary school.
Art, Music, LOTE, Physical Education, Wellbeing
Every week student have lessons in areas other than English and Maths. Physical education twice every week allows children to continue to build the skills and fitness to live happy and balanced lives. Our wellbeing approaches include emotional literacy and resilience and respectful relationships with others.
Science and Technology
Our dedicated Science and Technology program incorporates Robots, Coding and Engineering which includes design and construction materials. The Avoca Science program has clear links to our local environment including nearby waterways and sustainable energy production. At Avoca Primary School we introduce 1-1 devices to students in year 3 as part of our BYOD program.
Mathematics
Daily and repeated exposure to all mathematic concepts continues to be a strength of our mathematics program. This rigorous daily practice is fully supported through explicit instruction and high expectations. We apply these concepts through mathematic investigations and every classroom has the materials that ensure mathematical knowledge is constructed through the conceptual and concrete. As with English whole class instruction is strengthened through focus groups and individual conferences.
English
At Avoca Primary School we have an absolute commitment to providing the highest possible standards in learning for every student. Our unrelenting focus on the foundational knowledge and skills to be a successful student starts at the very early stages in reading and writing right through to grade 6. Our approaches to English learning include phonemic approaches to reading and spelling, daily direct instruction in reading and writing supported by purposeful learning tasks and differentiated small focus group instruction. We continue to have a clear focus on comprehension strategies for both fiction and nonfiction text in both electronic and print forms.