At Northholm Grammar, the Year 5 Advantage creates a seamless curriculum, positive relationships and a powerful progression into high school for students.
A smooth transition from the Primary to Secondary years can provide a critical link between student wellbeing and ongoing learning. Northholm Grammar’s Primary Years Program ensures that students can work in pursuit of their own individual excellence, in an environment that sustains academic rigour and supports individual needs through a personalised learning approach.
Mrs. Erin Werner, Primary Curriculum Co-ordinator explains, “Northholm’s Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum facilitates a fluid transition between the Primary and Secondary years. Year 5 students begin to prepare for 21 st century learning skills that are student-centred and driven across a vast range of subject areas. Students engage with learning that fosters higher order thinking skills to develop deep content knowledge and understanding.”
This approach takes into consideration the holistic nature of individual student learning and implements the most effective practices that will assist students to develop into autonomous, responsible, independent and engaged learners.
In Years 5 and 6, teachers focus on creating opportunities for students that will stimulate their natural curiosity and willingness to learn. During this last stage of the Primary years, there is a deeper emphasis on academics and independence, as well as on the social and emotional pastoral aspects that begin to emerge in the early adolescent years. This focus ensures students are known as individuals as they progress into high school.
Year 5 Teacher and Acting Primary Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Mr. Matthew Garrett states, “We do specific work with Year 5 that continues in Year 6, so that our students come into high school prepared with a greater sense of belonging within their peer group, an engaged approach to learning and a strong sense of personal identity. This is achieved by authentic and relevant classroom learning, instilling crucial organisational skills and a rich pastoral care system that fosters character development and positive peer relationships.”
At Northholm, our students approach the transition into Year 7 with confidence and a deep sense of preparedness. This transitional journey very much begins at the start of Year 5.
