Cross curriculum content enriches and supports the learning areas and adds depth to student learning. In NSW students study a range of learning across the curriculum content.
Cross curriculum priorities
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
- Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
- sustainability
General capabilities
- critical and creative thinking
- ethical understanding
- information and communication technology capability
- intercultural understanding
- literacy
- numeracy
- personal and social capability
Other learning across the curriculum areas
- civics and citizenship
- difference and diversity
- work and enterprise.
© NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2012
Equity Programs at Ben Venue
Aboriginal Education
Ben Venue staff and students understand the focus areas for the Aboriginal Policy:
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Ongoing Learning
The Aboriginal Education Policy is integrated across the curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6. Ben Venue celebrates NAIDOC Week each year and promotes Aboriginal student success and leadership throughout the year across areas of the school curriculum and community.
Multicultural Education
Multicultural activities are integrated across the curriculum through Connected Outcome Groups (COGs). Students in Years 4 and 5 enjoy French language programs each week.
Ben Venue is welcoming an increasing number of students from different cultural backgrounds as their parent's study and gain employment at the University of New England (UNE). Overseas students offer a diverse cultural understanding to develop within the school community. ESL classes are available for eligible students and assist students to join the school community. Most funding is provided under the New Arrivals Program.
Excursions
Excursions are undertaken throughout the year to support and enrich educational programs. Students K-6 visit the Thalgarrah Field Studies Centre at least once each year. All students are encouraged to participate and the P&C subsidises all K-6 excursions to assist families.
Each Stage has an Excursion Plan to assist with the K-6 excursion planning for BVPS.
Parents are provided with detailed information prior to any excursion and written parental consent must be obtained for any student to participate. Notes should be signed and returned as soon as possible to allow for all travel and organisation associated with the excursion.
Year 6 Excursion
Year 6 travel to Lake Ainsworth for a week-long excursion each year. Other excursions are organised around special performances and additional experiences around curriculum initiatives e.g. Young Leaders.
Special Excursions
Students in Years 5 and 6 are offered opportunities to participate in concerts at the Opera House and other concerts in Sydney. In these performances, students have been involved in choirs, marimba playing and singing groups.
Students in choirs and other groups are invited to perform at Community Events and Ben Venue is committed to entertaining and supporting senior citizens and community groups. In 2011 student groups will also visit preschools and early childhood settings to promote school initiatives and talents.
Extra Curricular Activities at Ben Venue
Students in Years 3-6 also have the opportunity to participate in extra curricula activities. Ben Venue has a number of dance groups and the opportunity to participate in Cirque de Ben Venue by being part of either the Junior or Senior Circus Skills Group. In these performance groups students performed at the Arts in Concert and other Armidale community performances.
Ben Venue offers lunchtime activities e.g. French Club, Chess Club, Garden Club, Debating Group, Team Sport Training to enhance and support curriculum activities and develop skills and talents of individual students.
External Competitions
Participation of students in the external poster, art and essay competitions is supported, particularly those organised locally.
Some of these Competitions/Activities in 2010 include:
University of NSW Spelling/Mathematics/Science/English/Computer Competitions, Armidale Eisteddfod, Premier's Spelling Bee, Premier's Sporting Challenge, Premier's Debating Challenge, The Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge, Mathematics Olympiad, University of New England School Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP), Operation Art, Special Forever and the Multicultural Speaking Competition.