Yarralumla Primary students are taught the Australian Curriculum through one of two programs:
- English-Italian Bilingual Program- The Australian Curriculum is taught in English for half of the week, then students move to their Italian Class where the Australian Curriculum is taught in Italian.
- English Program - English is the focus language for students for 5 days a week In this program, students learn the Australian Curriculum in English and receive one hour of Italian LOTE ( Languages Other Than English) per week. Newly enrolled students in higher grades are offered this option if they are non-native English speakers and/or have no prior Italian language experience.
The English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Teaching and learning programs at Yarralumla Primary School balance and integrate all three strands. Together the three strands focus on developing students' knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. Learning in English builds on concepts, skills and processes developed in earlier years, and teachers will revisit, strengthen and develop these as needed.
The three strands are:
- Language: knowing about the English language
- Literature: understanding, appreciating, responding to, analysing and creating literature
- Literacy: expanding the repertoire of English usage.
Yarralumla Primary School promotes a balanced literacy approach of whole language and phonics to teaching English with the program of inquiry providing authentic contexts for learners to develop and use language.
The individual literacy learning needs of students are catered for through differentiation. A variety of strategies, resources and support mechanisms are used to scaffold student success and allow every student to achieve.
The skills needed to become a proficient reader, writer, speaker and viewer are taught explicitly across all areas of the curriculum. The consolidation of reading skills is encouraged in partnership with parents through the home reading program in the early years and independent reading in the senior years.
Proficient writing skills underpin all forms of communication and is of paramount importance. At Yarralumla Primary School we foster a love of literature and language by engaging in the enjoyment and appreciation of all forms of Literacy.