Programs
Specialist Classes
Physical Education
Each Level provides regular Health and Physical Education sessions and the curriculum is supported through sport days, swimming program, Sporting Schools coaches in specific sports and other whole school or level specific activities
Music
Music at Macclesfield includes a range of different activities designed to build student’s confidence in performing and provide varying opportunities for self-expression. We learn a mix of traditional and new skills, such as learning notation and composition using our set of iPads. Whether it be dance and singing rehearsals for our school concert or learning practical skills such as playing the recorder, marimba, ukulele, drums or other instruments lessons are light-hearted and fun, placing student engagement as the highest priority.
Art
Art at Macclesfield is about giving students the skills, tools and opportunity to express themselves. Through a variety of projects, we learn about the different elements of art and apply them as we go. Students get to work with both 2D and 3D mediums, improving their fine motor skills and creating an environment where students can express their individuality.
Japanese
These classes are multi-sensory, utilising our classroom banks of iPads and netbooks, interactive whiteboards, hands-on activities and the many learning spaces around the school.
Learning Resource Centre
Macclesfield Primary School has a wonderful library space.
It has distinct learning areas:
- a reading amphitheatre which is surrounded by junior & senior picture books as well as junior fiction
- tables set up for students to read, write, draw or use portable netbooks, with senior fiction and non-fiction books nearby
- casual seating area for quiet reading and discussion
The library is open 3 days a week, during lunchtimes and each class is also allocated time during the week for additional borrowing and also to utilise other aspects of the library.
The library is constantly updating its most precious resource – its books, to ensure it maintains a modern, engaging collection. We use the BOOKMARK catalogue and all students can access the catalogue for book searches as well as check their borrowing history.
Environmental Eduction
Macclesfield Primary School is extremely proud of its environmental focus, with environmental education a regular part of the units of inquiry.
Students learn about ecosystems, habitats, life cycles, plant & animal species, recycling, land & habitat care, as well as the sustainability of our resources. This is achieved through our IB units of inquiry, field investigations throughout the school grounds, the maintenance of our chickens and veggie patch and the general upkeep of the school grounds & student action (voice and agency)
The Maccy kids are proud of their school…and it shows!
Digital Technologies
Macclesfield Primary School is proud to be progressive in its approach to computers and technology. We have almost 100 netbooks at the school. This enables every Level 5 and 6 student to have their own personal netbook to use on a daily basis. Every other level in the school has a dedicated bank of netbooks to use on a daily basis.
In addition to this, the school also has iPads, with a wide selection of educational apps.
Macclesfield Primary School sees the benefits of Information Technology in assisting the learning needs of students in class. As such, the netbooks and iPads are integrated into the English and Maths curriculum and are used to teach, inform, record and also assess student work.
The digital technologies learning and teaching focus is developed from the Victorian Curriculum and incorporated into our units of inquiry.
School Wide Positive Behaviour support
Learning Support
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Co-Curricular Activities
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Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds is a problem solving programme for teams of students from both primary and secondary years. They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from one of the following disciplines:
- Applied Technology
- Language Literature
- Maths Engineering
- Social Sciences
Tournament of Minds is an opportunity for students with a passion for learning and problem solving to demonstrate their skills and talents in an exciting, vibrant and public way.
Tournament of Minds has been one of the fastest growing national inter-school programmes to challenge the youth of Australia and is now expanding internationally. It provides for the ever-increasing demand for sophisticated, educational opportunities. The rapidly increasing and widespread involvement of thousands of participants throughout Australia and internationally, demonstrates that Tournament of Minds is not only a worthwhile investment in the education of our youth, but is also an integral part of our collective future.
Our aim
Tournament’s aim is to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the discipline to work collaboratively within a challenging and competitive environment.
Real World Benefits
Tournament of Minds offers Real World Benefits
Tournament of Minds looks beyond academic achievement and understands that the pursuit of excellence knows no boundaries.
Tournament offers students a unique, total experience, providing challenge and growth through its six week problem solving structure. The Tournament process provides a platform for excellence and equips participants with strategies and skills which will support future success.
Working in teams, effective problem-solving, thinking outside the square and the use of technology are values that employers are searching for in the employee of tomorrow. Tournament of Minds mirrors what successful businesses practise.
Objectives
- Provide the stimulation of real, open-ended challenges
- Develop creative problem solving approaches and techniques
- Foster cooperative learning and team work
- Promote knowledge and appreciation of self and others
- Encourage experimentation and risk taking
- Expand and reward creative and divergent thinking
- Stimulate a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning
- Develop enterprise
- Celebrate excellence
Encouraging Teamwork
Teams are required to work together on a Long Term Challenge for six weeks without assistance from teachers, parents or peers. They are encouraged to explore possibilities and experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution. They develop a creative and original way to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex challenge criteria and the deadline of Tournament Day.
Students present the product of their ideas – their challenge solution – to a panel of judges and an audience on Tournament Day. They have ten minutes in which to present and must do so within a 3 metre by 3 metre performance area.
The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Tournament Day. This challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think creatively and well developed group cooperation skills.
Judges for both the Long Term and the Spontaneous Challenges are professionals chosen from all areas of education, the arts and industry. They are thoroughly trained to enable them to assess the creative performance and technical aspects of the presentation.
Participation
Every school within Australia is invited to participate.
Tournament of Minds is a celebration of the talents and capabilities of our youth. Thousands of parents, educators, and interested public flock annually to watch and enjoy the exhilarating spectacle of the presentations and the ingenious solutions created by motivated students who have accepted the Tournament challenge.
Take up the challenge of the Tournament of Minds and help build a better future for Australia.
Teams of seven students from school entry to year ten are invited to participate within two divisions:
- Teams in the Primary Division must be a mix of students from at least two year levels with a maximum of four students from any one year.
- Teams in the Secondary Division must be a mix of students from at least two year levels (up to and including year ten) with a minimum of two students from the year of entry to secondary school in your state, and a maximum of four students from any one year.
They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from one of the following disciplines:
- Applied Technology
- Language Literature
- Maths Engineering
- Social Sciences
Australian Maths Competition
The Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) is a national not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to enrich the teaching and learning of mathematics for students of all standards. We hold mathematics and informatics competitions, administer enrichment activities, conduct workshops for students and teachers, and publish books on mathematical enrichment for Australian and international students. The AMT selects and supports Australia’s international mathematics and informatics Olympiad teams.
The AMT is based at the University of Canberra with representatives on our board from the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Mathematical Society. We are supported by a vast network of passionate volunteers from Australia and around the world, including academics, members of professional mathematics societies, educators and working mathematicians.
Each year Macclesfield enters this competition and students from grade 3-6 participate and students consistently place highly amongst their peers and across the country. Macclesfield covers the cost of entry to encourage as many students as possible to participate and challenge themselves.
Instrumental Music
Toastmasters Youth Leadership
Youth Leadership Program
The Youth Leadership Program is a workshop consisting of eight one- to two-hour sessions during Term Two that enable our students to develop communication and leadership skills through practical experience. The program is presented during school. Students learn to:
- Evaluate present speaking ability
- Organize and give speeches
- Give impromptu talks
- Control voice, vocabulary and gestures
- Give constructive feedback and more
For several years now we have had a close relationship with Wayne and Aileen A’Vard, who have devoted countless hours to this program.
Sporting Schools
Maccy is proudly part of the Sporting Schools program. Information can be found at the following link:
https://www.sportingschools.gov.au/