Learning

IB Primary Years Program

Language Arts (English)

Maths

Specialists

Blank for CSS (closed by default) - don't delete
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and student-centred approach to education that aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people. It encourages students to become active, compassionate, lifelong learners who understand and respect diverse perspectives. Recognising students as capable agents of their own learning, the PYP fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and reflection. Through the programme of inquiry, students build knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills, and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. This empowers them to take responsible action and make a meaningful impact on their lives, communities, and the wider world.

Language Arts (English)

At Milgate Primary School, Language Arts is delivered through a dynamic, inquiry-based approach aligned with the Primary Years Programme and the Victorian Curriculum. Our program fosters internationally minded learners who embrace challenges and explore the world around them.

Grounded in the science of reading, our instruction emphasises phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language. Students receive daily explicit, synthetic, and systematic phonics instruction, as well as Structured Word Inquiry. Through Writer’s Workshops, students develop their voice and agency across craft, genre, and process units.

English is woven throughout the curriculum, supporting deep conceptual learning. Our students grow into confident, articulate, and globally minded communicators, ready to thrive in a changing world.

Maths

At Milgate we encourage students to view mathematics as a way of understanding the world around us. We move beyond process driven activities and provide rich, open-ended experiences for students to solve authentic, real-world problems using numbers. Students develop habits that enable them to be risk takers, open-minded and persist through mathematical challenges. Through a student-centred, structured inquiry approach, each student is supported at their individual level of need and provided with opportunities to create goals that direct their learning.

Specialists

Blank for CSS (closed by default) - don't delete
Performing Arts

At Milgate Primary School, our Performing Arts program is a vibrant and integral part of our curriculum, offering students a dynamic platform to explore and express their creativity. Through a diverse range of activities in music, dance, and drama, students develop their artistic skills and gain confidence in self-expression. Our program encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation, providing opportunities for students to perform in the school production, assemblies, celebrations and community events. Students can also participate in our school choir and rock band, where they can further hone their musical talents and experience the joy of performing as part of a team.

Every second year, we stage a school musical, where students are deeply involved in creating props, costumes, dances, and more, ensuring a rich, hands-on experience in all aspects of theatrical production. By engaging in the Performing Arts, students enhance their emotional intelligence, communication skills, and overall well-being, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts

Mandarin

At Milgate Primary School, all Foundation to Year 6 students participate in a weekly Mandarin language session. Our program is designed to develop students’ language awareness and proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Additionally, we provide opportunities for students to learn about Chinese culture, thereby strengthening their intercultural understanding and appreciation.

Our learning experiences feature a variety of engaging activities to enhance students’ language skills, supported by aural, visual, and technological resources. These activities include interactive games, storytelling, songs, and digital tools that make learning Mandarin fun and effective. Moreover, our program encourages students to celebrate cultural events such as Chinese New Year, where they can immerse themselves in traditional customs and practices.

Physical Education

At Milgate Primary School, our Physical Education (PE) program is designed to promote active, healthy lifestyles and physical well-being among our students. Students from Foundation to Year 6 develop their physical abilities, teamwork, and sportsmanship through a diverse range of sports, fitness activities, and skill-building exercises. Our PE curriculum emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity, fostering a love for movement and encouraging lifelong healthy habits. Students also have the opportunity to participate in House Swimming, Athletics Carnivals, Cross Country, and Interschool Sports, allowing them to showcase their skills and compete in a supportive and fun environment.

Many students also have the opportunity to represent Milgate Primary School in various District, Regional, and State-level sporting competitions and carnivals.

STEM

At Milgate Primary School, STEM learning is guided by the Victorian Curriculum and the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), supporting students to become critical thinkers, inquirers, and problem-solvers. Through our dedicated specialist STEM program, students engage in hands-on experiences that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In Science, students develop their understanding of the natural world by observing, questioning, predicting, and experimenting with concepts such as forces, energy, life cycles, and chemical changes. In Technology, students learn to generate and communicate ideas, design solutions, and apply their understanding of digital systems, coding, and robotics to solve real-world problems. STEM lessons provide opportunities for creativity, innovation, collaboration, and persistence, as students explore ideas, test their thinking, respond to challenges, and reflect on their learning.

Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts program is dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression in every student. Through diverse visual formats, students are encouraged to explore new ideas, take risks, and experiment with various mediums and tools. We believe in building confidence and resilience, allowing students to boldly express their thoughts and feelings in innovative ways.

The curriculum is designed to enhance students’ art skills through a focus on key elements of design, including line, shape, color, tone, form, and texture. By integrating these elements into their work, students develop a deeper understanding of artistic principles and techniques. They are empowered to communicate their personal responses to units of inquiry both visually and through verbal and electronic means.

To celebrate their artistic achievements, all students have the opportunity to showcase their work in prominent school displays and our annual art exhibition. This special event provides a platform for students to present their creations to the wider school community, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.