junior school electives programme 2019 darlington campus · 2019-07-31 · tetsuryu karate - blake...

Junior School

Electives Programme 2019

Darlington Campus

The Electives programme complements the classroom and

specialist teacher learning and teaching programme by

providing opportunities for students to engage in an area of

personal interest, skill development, creative expression,

teamwork and collaboration.

Junior School Electives Programme - Darlington Campus -

Junior School students have the wonderful opportunity to select from a wide range of creative and stimulating courses offered through the Electives programme. Classes are purposely designed to provide differentiated learning experiences whilst fostering individual differences and embracing the richness and diversity of whole person development. Rather than one-off sessions or in-residence visits, our classes form part of our regular programme. They run both in school time and after school and are primarily offered to students from Years 1-5.

As educators, we are well aware that all students learn in varying and different ways. What may work well for one student potentially has no learning impact for another. As such, it is most important that schools do not follow only one specific theory or educational innovation when planning and delivering learning experiences, but rather, individualise student learning - making time spent at school appropriate to every child’s educational needs. Addressing multiple intelligences can assist educators to achieve individualised learning and this is carried out at the Junior School as part of our ongoing and regular teaching and learning programme.

Dr Howard Gardner of Harvard University has identified several distinct intelligences. This theory has emerged from cognitive research and according to Gardener, documents the extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways.

According to Gardener, intelligences are:

Learning strengths Intelligence

Word smart Linguistic intelligence

Number / reasoning smart Logical-mathematical intelligence

Picture smart Spatial intelligence

Body smart Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence

Music smart Musical intelligence

People smart Interpersonal intelligence

Self-smart Intra-personal intelligence

Nature smart Naturalist intelligence

Junior School Electives Programme - Darlington Campus -

With such varying intelligences, our embedded Electives programme provides a wonderful platform for students to develop, strengthen and relish and be catered for in their own natural style of intelligences.

Put simply, the Electives programme complements the classroom and specialist teacher learning and teaching programme by providing opportunities for students to engage in an area of personal interest, skill development, creative expression, teamwork and collaboration.

DARLINGTON CAMPUS What we offer

Intelligences Electives programme

Linguistic intelligence Drama

Logical-mathematical intelligence Computing

Spatial intelligencePottery

Visual Arts

Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence

Mixed Dance Classical Ballet Tetsuryu Karate

Taekwon-Do

Musical intelligenceDrums PianoGuitar

Interpersonal intelligence Drama

Classical Ballet - Mersades Mucciarone Mersades Mucciarone is a relief teacher as well as a senior student at a local ballet studio. Mersades is well versed in numerous different genres, with classical ballet being the driving force of her dance passion coming into her 17th year. For a young woman, Mersades is extremely experienced having performed in many high level productions such as The NutCracker, Peter Pan and The Wizard Of Oz. With a focus on fun first, Mersades is also motivated to help students improve to the best of their ability.

$146 - 15 lessons (45mins) per semester (1-3) $199 - 15 lessons (60mins) per semester (4-5)

Computing - Linda Thompson Over the last 18 years Linda has been both the Elective staff member and the computing specialist, teaching every class from Kindergarten to Year 5. In 2019, Linda will be teaching our students the Office suite of programmes - Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The students will explore all the features in each application and develop essential lifelong ICT skills. Linda enjoys teaching the Electives programme, incorporating the students’ interests and using a variety of media and technologies to achieve the desired outcomes for their projects, including blogs, videos, coding etc.


Drama - Tyler Jones Tyler Jones is a Perth-based writer, director and performer, who has recently toured Australia and the UK with his original work. Tyler believes in using drama to help students develop confidence, creativity, communication skills, physical and mental agility, and the ability to work in an ensemble. The drama elective provides training in fundamental theatrical skills such as movement, voice production, characterisation and improvisation. The more advanced classes progress to scripted work and a fun introduction to theatre history through some classic texts (from the Greeks to William Shakespeare!). All students are encouraged to take on different characters and look at the world from a variety of perspectives, in a safe, supportive and dynamic class environment!

$169 - 15 lessons (60mins) per semester (1-5)

Drums - Walter Johnston Walter Johnston is a WAAPA graduate with over 20 years’ experience, providing him with a vast array of essential skills and techniques to pass on to the next generation of drummers. More than just teaching method and technique, Walter teaches his students the value of creating music and having fun. Friendly, patient and enthusiastic, his inexhaustible passion for playing the drums makes Walter a great teacher. He enjoys sharing his music knowledge with students of all ages and levels and in addition to his tutoring, Walter is also a hard-working touring musician.


Guitar - Jonathon Matthews Mr Jon Matthews has completed an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Mr Matthews has worked as a guitar instructor at Cliff Lynton’s Guitar Institute for 6 years whilst performing with Perth’s leading Jazz, Blues and Soul artists. He also tutors guitar at John Walliston Anglican College and Quinns Baptist College. He is very passionate about music instruction and loves to pass on his love and enthusiasm of music to the younger generation. Mr Matthews is also a singer/ songwriter and is a professional musician, working around the Perth area.

$199 - 15 lessons (group lesson 30mins) per semester (PP) $565 - 15 lessons (30mins) per semester (1-5)

Mixed Dance - Mersades Mucciarone New to the Electives programme, Mixed Dance will allow students to be exposed to many dance forms including contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, funk, jazz and acro to name a few. With a focus on fun first, Mersades is also motivated to help students improve to the best of their ability. Mersades gets no better satisfaction than passing on her experience to ensure all students can dance in a safe method, whilst instilling confidence and self-expression into their dancing.


Mixed Sport - Lisa Good Lisa Good is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years experience. Lisa is passionate about sport and fitness. She believes fun and challenges are key to learning and enhancing overall competences in sport. In the Mixed Sport elective, students will have the opportunity to discover and develop movement skills in a variety of different activities and sports. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their passion and development skills in extended game play.


Piano - Jan VealJan Veal enjoys watching her students become enthusiastic musicians, developing a love for music. Jan studied in Japan with the Yamaha Foundation and has knowledge of the Dalcroze Method. She has years of University of WA examination experience, and has taught students from preliminary to associate level piano, entering many students for the English Association Board examinations. Jan believes students need to study a variety of musical styles from classical to jazz and contemporary as they progress and she looks forward to working with the Junior School students.


Piano - Ellie Armstrong Ellie Armstrong has over 16 years’ piano experience that includes Grade 8 Australian Music Examination Board examinations and further studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, under instruction from some of the best pianists in WA. Ellie is passionate about music and teaching and she enjoys sharing this passion with her piano students. As each piano student is different, the lessons are tailored to meet individual needs and interests. In piano lessons students cover technique, tone production, note reading and music theory, giving the students a strong foundation for further music studies.


Tetsuryu Karate - Blake Escott Blake Escott has been training and studying for the past seven years in Zen Do Kai, Muay Thai Kickboxing , Krav Maga, MMA and Tetsuryu. He currently teaches kids club at a local martial arts club and instructs childrens’ classes in both Tetsuryu Karate and Muay Thai Kickboxing. The Tetsuryu Karate elective aims to teach students self defence skills, whilst promoting self-respect and discipline. Students will increase their general fitness and gain applicable life skills as well as learning traditional Karate based patterns and katas.


Taekwon-Do - Linda Low Senior Master Dr Linda Low has been a Taekwon-Do instructor for over 37 years and has taught the Taekwon-Do elective for more than 25 years. Linda is an 8th Dan Black Belt, the highest ranked female in the International TKD Federation, Vice President AAIFG and the Chair of the ITF Women’s Committee. Students will learn basic martial arts movements and self-defence techniques in a safe and supportive environment. Taekwon-Do helps to develop coordination and flexibility and students have the opportunity to progress through the various belt levels.


Visual Art - Marie Jacquier Marie Jacquier is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years’ experience with art and community education. Marie’s visual art classes offer the opportunity to work with a wide variety of mediums, including painting, print making, drawing and sculpture. Weaving, beading and textile art such as felting and sewing, adds interest to the Visual Art elective. Marie will encourage individual creative expression and teach specific art skills. Techniques and styles of contemporary and past artists will also be explored. The main aim of the programme is to instil a lifelong passion and interest in the area of visual art.


Pottery - Nita Williams Nita Williams, after a long career teaching now shares her skills with the younger students via the Electives programme. She passionately believes pottery is an enjoyable way to improve concentration, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. In the pottery classes students are encouraged to master a wide range of hand building skills, with an emphasis on creativity and imagination. Persistence and application produces exceptional pieces, at all levels. Everyone gains significant experience on the wheel, a skill that can challenge people at any age.


Frequently Asked Questions…

When can we nominate our Electives choices? Semester One nomination forms are distributed to students towards the end of Term Four, ready for classes to commence Term One the following year.

Semester Two nomination forms are distributed to students at the end of Term Two, ready for classes to begin early Term Three.

New students commencing mid way through the year, will be able to submit their nomination forms before/on commencement at the College.

Can my child change Electives during the semester? Yes, your child can change elective lesson choices during the semester however, please note no fees will be refunded for the withdrawn elective. Fees for the new elective will be charged on a pro-rata basis based on the commencement date.

Are there any requirements for any of the Electives? Yes, the following Electives do have the following requirements for weekly lessons:

• Classical Ballet and Mixed Dance - Students will be required to wear a dance uniform to classes each week, requirements are available via SEQTA Engage Documents, under Electives-DC, DC Electives Dance Uniform Requirements.

• Guitar - Parents will be contacted by the Electives staff member to discuss book and/or instrument requirements. As a guide, students will require a classical acoustic guitar - either half size for Pre-primary-Year 3 or three quarter size for Years 4-5.

• Piano - Parents will be contacted by the Electives staff member to discuss book and/or instrument requirements. Students are able to use a piano style keyboard for practice at home.

• Drums - Parents will be contacted by the Electives staff member to discuss book and/or instrument requirements. Students are able to use a drum practice pad or an electric drum set at home.

• Mixed Sport - Students will be required to change into their sports uniform immediately prior to the Mixed Sport elective. After the lesson, normal school uniform should be worn again for the remainder of the day, unless attending another elective, which requires a different uniform.

• Taekwon-Do - Students should wear their sports uniform to the first lesson where Dr Low will advise uniform requirements.

• Tetsuryu Karate - Students should wear their sports uniform to the first lesson where Mr Escott will advise of the optional Karate Gi uniform.

Will my child be missing out on any new class content whilst attending an Elective lesson during school time? No. Students who remain in the classroom whilst others are attending electives will work in smaller groups with the teacher to reiterate class material recently taught and/or carry out further inquiry work.

What happens when the Elective staff member is absent? If a staff member is absent for a class, the lesson will either be made up or a refund given. We regret that when a student is absent due to situations such as family holiday, illness, school activity or other appointments, the staff member is unable to make up the lesson and the full fee will be charged. Instrumental tuition fees will not be charged where a student is absent because of a class camp.

Please contact Sara Miller - Electives Coordinator

P: 9299 6626 E: [email protected] should you have any questions regarding the

Junior School Electives programme at the Darlington Campus.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]