Vision for Excellent Learning and Teaching
We are committed to building a community where learning and teaching are visible, explicit and responsive – creating equity and excellence for all learners;
where all members demonstrate motivation, engagement and empowerment in reaching their potential as lifelong, enthusiastic learners.
At Holy Spirit School our primary consideration is to the learning and development of our children. We are focused on developing a community of globally informed learners whose behaviours are reflected through our values:
- HEART - Respecting and valuing the diversity in others.
- Being active in caring for our planet.
- MIND - Seeing things from different perspectives and understanding the impact this has on the world.
- SPIRIT - Taking responsibility for and reflecting on our actions and attitudes.
All phases of schooling at Holy Spirit School are underpinned by Brisbane Catholic Education's Learning and Teaching Framework and The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019). The Alice Springs (Mparntwe - pronounced as 'M- ban-tua') Education Declaration sets the national vision for education for all Australians and notes two goals:
- The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity.
- All young Australians become:
- Confident and creative individuals
- Successful lifelong learners
- Active and informed members of the community
Our learning and teaching program is based on the Australian Curriculum and the Brisbane Archdiosecan Religious Education program. Learning experiences in each area provide for differences in learning abilities and provide multiple opportunities for students to achieve their full potential.
The following learning areas are covered across years Prep – Year 6:
- Mathematics
- English
- Religious Education (based on the Archdiocesan Religious Education Program)
- Science
- Health & Physical Education
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
- Technologies
- The Arts
- Languages
Students have weekly lessons with specialist teachers in the areas of Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education (Movement) and Italian. During these times the class teachers have their Preparation, Planning and Correction time.
Resource Centre
Holy Spirit has a vibrant resource centre that is well-resourced with a variety of quality literature for students of all ages. The centre also houses the school's extensive range of Home Reading books and Guided Reading books for classroom use. The centre also has a large space, equipped with projectors, which is used for class activities, staff meetings, parent information sessions and P and F meetings. Students can utilise this centre for lunchtime activities such as reading, construction, drawing and games.
Sport
In addition to their weekly PE lessons, sports events are held throughout the year and include Cross-Country and Athletics Carnivals. From here, some students go on to represent the school at district level and beyond, taking pride in wearing the TEAM SPIRIT shirt. Students in Years 4, 5 and 6, participate in regular Gala days with other local schools. Staff train students before school and during lunch breaks in preparation for sporting occasions.
Incursions, Excursions and Camps
Teachers design a variety of learning experiences to engage the students. These include incursions, where an outside provider brings an exhibit or show to the school or excursions, where the students travel beyond the school to participate in a learning opportunity such as visiting a museum or cultural site. Excursions always have strong links to the curriculum.
Senior students participate in school camps, which have a focus on leadership, collaborative skills, team building and the development of the whole person, as defined in our Catholic ethos.