Our Programs
School CurriculumOur Approach
The integrated values-based programme offered by Sunshine Academy is a multi-cultural,
interdenominational programme which has been shown, in many schools across the world, to enhance the development of children giving them the skills, confidence and self-awareness. The programme complements and strengthens the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment frameworks set up by the Department of Education.
Through considering a range of values, pupils learn about healthy lifestyles, developing relationships and respecting differences between people, playing an active role as citizens and developing confidence and responsibility to make the most of their talents and skills. The skills and attributes developed through the teaching of values are known to enhance the curriculum and pupils’ learning behaviours, and raise attainment, attendance and pupil wellbeing.
Our students grow into confident, thoughtful, and engaged community members that are able to contribute to the world.
What we teach
We believe opportunity should never be determined by the circumstances of our birth and we strive to help all children become proficient at the key skills required for academic learning. This is facilitated by small class sizes and the cultivation of positive teacher-student relationships. Our learning programmes engage the children’s interest by using a variety of teaching and learning styles.
The Western Australian School Curriculum and Standards Authority is responsible for Kindergarten to Year 10 curriculum, assessment, standards and reporting at Sunshine Academy. The authority sets out a K-10 Outline for all students from Kindergarten to Year 10. This outline specifies the mandated curriculum, guiding principles for teaching, learning and assessment and support for teachers in their assessment and reporting of student achievement. Syllabuses provided by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority are part of the mandated K-10 curriculum and include the 8 learning areas of: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Languages, Technologies.
Children in their early years of school have their curriculum framed around Belonging, Being and Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) which describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.
The Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines guides schools to develop learning that draws from the key ideas and related content from the EYLF to ensure that all children in Kindergarten experience quality teaching and learning. The emphasis in Kindergarten to Year 2 classrooms is on the development of English, Mathematics, social, emotional and physical well-being along with developing and nurturing positive attitudes to learning.
In Years 3-6 classrooms there is an emphasis on English and Mathematics and increasing engagement with the other learning areas. There is a whole school focus on the whole child and the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of everyone (including staff). At least 50% of face-to-face teaching time in all classes is devoted to evidence based teaching of Literacy and Numeracy skills, knowledge and understandings.
How we teach
Teaching Techniques
At Sunshine Academy we use seven recommended teaching techniques, which provide a full range of learning activities and embrace body, mind and spirit.
01. Mind Mapping
Helps the child to focus on a subject, brainstorm values and clear the mind of mental clutter. It provides a creative and organised introduction to a topic.
02. Silent Sitting
The child learns to harness the energy of the mind to become calm, concentrated, focused and simply be. It improves self-discipline, single-mindedness and determination and enhances intuition as the mind is calm and children can access their inner source of wisdom.
03. Thought for the Day
Effectively sparks thinking and understanding in the mind, giving children repeated opportunities to consider a concept or idea. Enhances positive emotions which in turn result in optimism and in building mental and emotional resilience against anxiety, depression and anger.
04. Storytelling
To paint a mental picture of characters, situations, moral dilemmas and resolutions that have the power to engage and inspire the child. The stories will create role-models that the children will want to emulate. A story generates interest, captures the attention and leaves a beautiful moral to think and act upon. Stories bring out the parallel situations of life and suggest solutions. They add colour and variety to the school curriculum.
05. Group Singing and Music
Singing is a wonderful way in which children and teachers can join together in fun and friendship while learning. Songs speak the language of the heart. They remove barriers and promote peace and love. When the children sing together, they also realise the value of co-operation. Singing improves memory, instils peace, love and appreciation and gives a feeling of joy.
06. Group Activity
To deepen their understanding of the values and how they are put into practice through social interaction and experiential learning. Children learn understanding, co-operation, sharing, helpfulness, tolerance of others as well as negotiation and conflict resolution skills. The basic idea behind group activities is to allow for interplay and interaction, so that learning proceeds from all directions.
07. Creative Visualisation
To cultivate and balance imagination that releases positive creativity and love and enhances empathy and social skills. It enhances a positive self-image and helps the child to manage difficult situations and the negative emotions which can arise.
How we teach
3 Approaches to teaching values
At Sunshine Academy we use three approaches to teach values. Values are not an additional subject in the school curriculum like Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science or Physical Education, but permeate all the school experiences through three teaching approaches:
01. Direct Approach
The Direct Approach requires a specific period of time through the seven recommended teaching techniques. These techniques are a means of directly exploring the five Human Values and the five Global Values, for example:
- Mind Mapping – Any of the ten values
- Silent Sitting/Quiet Time – Peace, Awareness of Self
- Quotation/Thought for the Day – Truth, Love of Country
- Group Singing and Music – Love, Spirit of Oneness
- Storytelling – Non-violence; Love of Country
- Group Activity – Right Action; Environmental Responsibility
- Creative Visualisation – Spirit of Service
02. Indirect Curricular Approach
The Indirect Curricular Approach teaches values in the mainstream curriculum subjects. For example, in discussing the products produced by different countries in the world, the teacher may bring out how life in the world is inter-dependent and thus we develop a sense of gratitude towards others who work to provide food, shelter, clothing and other goods for our comfort and enjoyment. Teachers awaken this sensitivity in the students through skilful questioning and discussion. This can be done in all the school subjects indirectly integrating values.
03. Indirect Co-Curricular Approach
The Indirect Co-Curricular Approach teaches values in the part of the school day which is outside the formal school curriculum e.g sports, excursions, art, music, play. Teachers can model and promote values in action by providing structured and unstructured activities. Children have the opportunity to interact positively with others, explore ideas, practice kindness and cooperation etc
Curriculum
Our Uniqueness
What makes our Curriculum Programme unique
Integral Education
The five Human Values of Right Conduct, Peace, Truth, Love and Non-violence
permeate the whole curriculum and are integrated into every learning area.
Service
This programme is designed to build a foundation of kindness, in order to foster the desire to help and be good citizens. Our children learn the importance of donating, helping raise funds for charity, showing kindness to their peers, and the meaning of gratitude. Our goal is to form responsible, kind-hearted individuals who function with integrity and love and who add value to their community.
Experiential learning
This methodology is based on
experiences, action and reflection. It fosters all-round development and engages the child creatively, critically, emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.
Committed Teachers
The commitment of each teacher to become an ideal role model for the five Human
Values is what makes Sunshine Academy so effective. Staff develop positive classroom cultures that promote and exemplify positive student behaviour and interactions, making students feel that they are both
cared for and supported to succeed.
Silent Sitting
5 minutes of guided mindfulness begins all sessions. Mindfulness for children in class results in improved focus, emotional regulation, greater compassion and reduction of stress and anxiety.
Daily Rituals
At the start of the day teachers share stories involving positive values which allows the child to settle and find a sense of quietude. At the end of the school day there’s a time for reflection and an opportunity to recall positive
experiences and express gratitude to their fellow students and teachers.
Connecting with Country
Children learn to appreciate and develop an active sense of responsibility for their country through activities involving the Indigenous peoples in their local area. This will help foster a sense of being, belonging and becoming for all children, alongside a deeper awareness and appreciation of how the longstanding and continuing sustainability practices of Australia’s First Peoples can help to address some of the global environmental questions and challenges.
Partnerships
The staff of Sunshine Academy are committed to working in partnership with children, parents and communities to provide high quality educational programmes because learning doesn’t stop
when children leave the classroom.
Extracurricular features
Vegetable Garden
Children understand the role of food in life and spending time in the garden improves
their nutrition by highlighting healthy foods. Working in the garden also becomes a valuable teaching tool.
Student Wellbeing
Students are supported by programmes such as Tomatis Programme; Heartmath biofeedback programme; Integrative Restoration (iRest); Mindfulness meditation.
Healthy Eating
All foods are sugar-free and preservative-free. Teachers and students eat meals together every day in the school dining room. This creates a positive family atmosphere and encourages habits of
healthy eating. Helping with preparation of meals in the school kitchen is an important avenue of parent contribution to the school.
Group Singing and Music
Singing is a wonderful way in which children and teachers can join together in fun and friendship while learning. Songs speak the language of the heart. They remove barriers and promote peace and love. When the children sing together, they also realise the value of co-operation. Singing improves memory, instils peace, love and appreciation and gives a feeling of joy.