Currambena Primary School
A truly alternative primary school serving Sydney & surrounds
Highest NSW Education Standards Authority accreditation
Registered by the NESA
Registration renewed from Jan 2024 to Dec 2028
Students go on to a wide variety of high schools
Our Curriculum
Students cover the same NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabus as they would in other schools.
Yes, we follow the curriculum, however we also “follow the curiosity” and don’t adhere rigidly to formal sequencing. Our lessons adapt and shift as students engage with each topic. This flexibility means children can follow their curiosity, learn deeper, and learn more. It keeps children engaged and sparks a joy of learning and sense of adventure in study—creating a more inquisitive style of thinking and learning.
By making learning more fun, we have children who love coming to school and tend to develop independence and persistence in learning—growing into self-motivated learners who challenge themselves.
The way we approach & engage with the NSW Curriculum is what sets Currambena apart.
- English
- Mathematics
- Human Society & its Environment
- Science & technology
- Creative & performing arts
- Health, physical education & personal development
The NESA Protective Behaviours Curriculum is also implemented throughout the school.
The full NSW syllabus is complemented by communication and conflict resolution studies undertaken in all classes—an integral part of Currambena’s approach.
Key Features of a Typical Week in Primary School at Currambena
Our teachers base their programming on the NESA syllabus, but adapt and interpret the curriculum to fit Currambena’s teaching philosophy and children’s individual needs.
They also give students choices as often as possible (while still meeting the requirements of school registration with the NSW Education Standards Authority).
In practice, this means that children as young as five or six might choose topics for Personal Interest Projects. And, on a daily basis, children might have a choice about where to sit for various activities or in what order to complete tasks. They might set their own goals, or they might negotiate with their teacher to spend time on a particular topic of their choice.
This helps to ensure their motivation and engagement with their own learning is strong and helps them see and carry themselves as capable, curious, passionate, self-directed learners.
Children have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities as part of their weekly learning program—including visual arts and crafts, music, drama, yoga, mindfulness and swimming.
Other opportunities available to children at Currambena include environmental awareness initiatives and annual school camps to places such as the Hawkesbury River and Jervis Bay.
Fridays are structured differently, with students able to choose from a wide variety of activities that are offered throughout the day—rather than having any formal class time.
The day begins with School Meeting, then the whole school participates in Sustaining Currambena, where students, teachers and sometimes parents work together to maintain the school environment and care for the various creatures that share the space with us, teaching responsibility.
After these activities the students are able to work with their teachers and play, discover, explore and develop their many skills—encouraging them to investigate topics on their own.
They also are trusted to catch up on any outstanding work, like finishing a slide for a presentation, or working on a costume for their end of year concert.
Free Friday teaches children time management skills, self-motivation, self-responsibility and self-direction from a young age.
Canteen is run by two parents each week, on Mondays. (Every other day of the week, Currambena students for preschool and primary school are required to bring in their own lunch and snacks.)
Morning tea starts at 11:00am, and lunch starts at 12:30pm. Kids pay for themselves with cash.
Class Meetings are a key part of being a Democratic School!
Each class meeting is managed by students and is an opportunity to discuss issues that are important to the children.
Decisions made at the class meeting often affect classroom activity—classes can decide on books or subjects to focus on from the curriculum, for example. Or, it could be the case that children keep having their handball game interrupted by people walking through the court during games, so they discuss how to make that stop.
Class meetings teach students about the power of speaking up, how to articulate and express themselves in front of others, and vote. Then, of course, follow agreements even if they don’t agree with the majority.
Chaired by the children and run in the same format as the class meeting, this is a whole-school version of the class meeting and another pillar of Democratic Schooling!
Here, ideas or issues within the school community can be raised for discussion and voted on when appropriate. School Agreements (our equivalent to rules) are often developed in this meeting, ensuring alignment and buy-in.
Examples of school-wide issues which tend to foster more debate, and may run over multiple weeks, or involve research might be things like banning toys people consider to be violent, what type of performance or art show the school will put on, or a charity or cause the school will raise money for with a toy garage sale.
Through School Meetings, students' voices are heard, and they contribute to creating the rules and policies that govern their school community.
DEMOCRATIC SCHOOLING IN ACTION
What’s the structure of a School Meeting or Class Meeting?
We know you might be wondering what your child can expect! Here’s how they work.
The children chairing the meeting will go around collecting any last agenda items before the meeting. They bring up each item, who has brought it to the meeting and then the child or children who added it can stand up and talk about it. It can be a reminder, a vote, or an opinion.
The chair people then open up the floor (to hands) and call on people to share their opinions on the topic (this is the discussion part), and then a vote may happen. If a vote happens, a majority passes.
The Democratic process teaches confidence in public speaking and strengthens communication skills while fostering collaboration and cooperation.
Sample Schedule at Currambena
8.30am:
Currambena is open! Staff are greeting children and preparing for the day’s activities.
9.00am - 9.30am:
Opportunities for the students to mingle, play and settle in for the day ahead.
9.30am - 11.00am:
“First Inside Time” Students undertake tasks involving the acquisition and use of skills in the 6 key learning areas of the NSW curriculum.
11.00am - 11.30am:
Break time—students can stay in their classroom, visit other rooms, or stay outside.
11.30am - 12:30pm
“Second Inside Time”. Students undertake tasks involving the acquisition and use of skills in the 6 key learning areas of the NSW curriculum. Or may feature activities planned by specialist teachers—offering expertise in music, crafts and foreign languages.
12.30pm - 1.30pm:
An opportunity to eat for those who have not eaten throughout the day.
1.30pm - 3.00pm:
Whole class sessions such as art, drama or P.E.
Interested in enrolling?
Attend one of our Information Mornings and talk to the team there.
Attending an Information Morning is always the first step—after which we will guide you through the Primary School enrollment process.
Assessments
Here at Currambena, we do not participate in formal testing. We recognise and celebrate all aspects of a child’s achievements, growth and development—social, emotional and physical, as well as academic. We choose freedom from exam-based assessment in primary school because testing is shown in research to spark mental health issues, including anxiety, lower self-esteem, limiting labels, stress and comparison—and narrows class time focus into exam preparation, not genuine learning.
Our alternative assessment process includes:
- A formal written evaluation covering all KLAs based on teacher records of participation and achievement is completed for each student mid-year and end-of-year.
- A collection of completed work is added by the children to a portfolio, which includes personal self-evaluations, artwork and photos. This is taken home and presented to parents.
- Separate work samples collected by teachers for individual student files, which are retained at school and move through the school with the child.
- Parents are invited to view their children’s exhibits or attend personal interest project (PIP) presentations.
- Formal interviews with parents (and the child if they wish to participate).
- Individual conferences with children are regularly carried out to discuss their achievements and skills that need developing.
- Informal chats between parents, teachers, and children, where appropriate, to discuss a child's progress.
The self-direction, self-motivation, and independent learning skills they’ve developed at Currambena means they tend to adapt well to their exams and assessments in High School and onwards.
Transition from Currambena to High School
The transition from primary school to high school is a rite of passage for all children, and our teachers work closely with the children as they prepare to make this change. During the two years before the child leaves Currambena, regular contact is made with their parents or guardian, and appropriate places are considered to carefully match the school to the individual child. Potential school requirements and expectations, auditions, interviews, examinations, scholarships, open days and applications are also discussed.
Currambena also has ex-students come back and talk about their experiences transitioning to high school, to support students even further.
Our Primary School Fees
Before & After School Care (OOSH onsite) and Vacation Care
Our onsite Blue Umbrella before and after school care program is run throughout the school term, offering care from 8.00am-6.00pm. Blue Umbrella also offers vacation care throughout the year.