While the Junior School is innovative and constantly evolving, the educational philosophy of St Mary’s places strong emphasis on the basic skills of literacy and numeracy.
In the early years of Kindergarten and Pre-primary, young children’s developmental learning needs are met within a structured, social, play-based programme. Access to learning enrichment programmes assists students in developing these skills to the best of their ability. In addition to English and Mathematics, learning programmes incorporate Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Languages Other Than English, Science, Society and Environment, and Technology and Enterprise. Specialist teachers further enhance the programme in the areas of Art, Drama, Italian, Music, Physical Education, Dance and Religious Education.
Junior School classrooms are modern, colourful and spacious, designed for formal and activity-based learning. More recent additions include the multi-purpose Margaret Field Hall, state-of-the-art Pre-primary Centre, Mathematics and Science Laboratory, Art Room and dedicated Italian classroom. The Junior School Library is central to the school’s education programme and all children have access to this facility.
Information technology is used extensively from Kindergarten to Year 7 across all learning areas. Resources include a networked laboratory giving students one-to-one access to stations, as well as networked computers in all the classrooms.
The Physical Education programmes aim to develop each student's enthusiasm for physical activity. All students are involved in early morning fitness activities. In Kindergarten and Pre-primary the lessons are integrated into the daily programme and focus on dance movement and body awareness. As students progress through the Junior School they participate in Interhouse Swimming, Diving, Athletics and Cross Country. In Year 7 girls also take part in Interhouse Hockey, Netball, Softball and Basketball. There are also Interschool activities for girls in Years 5 to 7.
The Junior School music programme begins in the Kindergarten with the essential musical skills of beat and rhythm, singing, dancing and moving to music and progresses through to Year 7 with composition and notation skills, music appreciation and history, the instruments of the orchestra and music in other societies.
All students, from Years 1 to 7, sing in a choir and there are also two specialist chamber choirs available to students in Years 4 to 7. The Junior School also has two bands and three string orchestras, which perform regularly throughout the year. Every student in Year 2 participates in a string programme as part of the music curriculum, which includes violin or cello lessons for a semester and participation in a string ensemble.
Students are engaged in many exciting projects involving a range of art materials and skills. The art programme is often integrated with other learning areas and extra-curricular activities such as camps and excursions. Students are also given opportunities to work with local artists. An exhibition of their wonderful artwork is showcased in September.
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