Educational Programme

Curriculum (Primary)

The curriculum is based on that of Queensland. However we combine this with many ideas from New Zealand and other Australian States and Vanuatu.

Curriculum (Secondary – Years 8, 9 & 10)

The curriculum is from the Australian syllabus of Queensland.  The following subjects are compulsory:

• English

• Mathematics

• Science

• SOSE

• French

• Technology

• Health, Physical Education and Personal Development

• The Arts

Primary Homework

All students are required to complete some homework each weeknight except Friday. Teachers will inform parents what the homework requirements are at the beginning of the school year. A copy of the Homework Policy is available from the office. Home reading is a very important part of the homework programme. Students will have a home reading folder or bag to bring their book home in. Parents can assist by listening to their child read each night in a relaxed happy atmosphere. Older competent readers do not have to read out loud but are encouraged to discuss what they are reading with their parents. Reading at home is necessary for children to improve and develop a love for reading.

Secondary Homework

Secondary teachers will be setting homework in their specialist subjects which all students will be expected to complete by due dates.

French

A full time French teacher for the Junior School is supplied by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise. The Senior School has a specialist French teacher. All primary and secondary students have regular French lessons.

Reporting to Parents

School reports are sent home with students at the end of each school year to communicate students’ academic and social progress. A structured portfolio is sent home twice a year.

Parent Interviews

Parent/Teacher interviews are conducted in the week following receipt of your child’s mid year portfolio (DEC Social Report). Parents are welcome at any time during the year to make an appointment to discuss their child’s progress. Please make an appointment with the teacher concerned or at the school office.

Portfolios

The Portfolio is an ongoing assessment process. Samples of work are collected during the year and put together in a portfolio clear file. The Portfolio will be sent home mid year to be viewed by the parents and returned to school, for parent interviews. The Portfolio will be kept at school and added to each year. It will become one document of all the child’s progress through school and given to students on completion of Year 10 or departure from PVIS.

Sport and Physical Education

The School recognises that physical development is equally as important for children as cognitive and social development. The Physical Education and Sport programme has been developed to encourage individual and group involvement, physical fitness, co-operation, development of movement, competence, leadership and confidence. There is an emphasis on variety, fun and sense of achievement. Recreational activities are also offered to stimulate good use of leisure time. School sport is conducted weekly. A variety of activities are available for all students.

Inter-house System

The School is divided into three vertical groupings called ‘Houses’ which are named after the three national colours. The houses are Elo, (meaning Sun) - Yellow, Vanua, (meaning Land) - Green, and Nakabu (meaning Fire) – Red. Each child will be allotted to a house on enrolment. Inter-house activities are not limited to sport but include cultural activities and general care of the environment. House groupings give students opportunities to mix and get to know a wider cross section of the school.

Excursions

Most students will go on an excursion during the school year. Minor expenses arising from these excursions are not included in the term fees. Costs for such activities will be kept to a minimum. Parents are often asked to help on excursions.

A general permission form is filled in on enrolment. Notification of all specific excursions will be given to parents. Specific permission forms may be required for after hour school activities.

External Competitions

All students from year four upwards will sit the Australasian Schools Competition in Mathematics, English, Science, Writing and Spelling. There will be a charge for this, which will be included in the term two-fee invoice. These competitions provide us with valuable information as to the performance of students at our school compared to that of Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries.

Parents of DEC students are responsible to ensure that:

1. All students are enrolled with a Correspondence School providing them with an appropriate course of study.

2. Students attend the Centre on a regular basis and are punctual.

3. Students are required to have their own cassette recorder with earphones. A calculator should be provided for Mathematics and a dictionary for English.

4. Students are dressed in an appropriate manner suitable for school.
    

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