By 8:30am each day, Currambena is open. Staff are preparing for the day’s activities. Before 9:00am most of the students have arrived. The time before 9:30am is intended to create opportunities for students mingle and play.
Inside Time is usually announced by class teachers as they wander around the play areas at 9:30am. In the first session, the students usually undertake tasks involving the acquisition and use of skills in the key learning areas (NSW curriculum).
The 30 minute Break Time at 11:00am is a regular feature of the timetable. Students are free to stay in their classroom, visit other rooms or play outside.
The second Inside Time, can feature activities planned by specialist teachers who are based in their designated areas of the school. Three part-time teachers support the work of the classroom teachers, during the week, offering expertise in music, craft and Italian. This part of the day may also feature the Class Meeting. The Class Meeting is managed by the students to discuss concerns that are important to the students. Decisions made at Class Meeting often affect classroom activities. The class decisions may also be directed to School Meeting. The School Meeting is a whole school version of the Class Meeting. Managed by the students, decisions made by the School Meeting can affect the organisation of the school.
The 60 minute lunch period ends at 1:30pm with the class teachers again announcing the start of Inside Time. The afternoon session usually features whole class sessions such as Art, Drama or P.E. Class teachers normally bring the class group together before the end of the school day so that everything is put away and the classroom is ready for for another day. At 3:00pm school finishes and the play areas begin to empty as students make their way home, or are collected by parents. Some students stay with the After School Care (CASP) staff.
A week in our life
Alumna Nathalie Thibaux’s poem describes a typical week’s activities at Currambena.
