Curriculum Overview

Literacy instruction at West Busselton is a priority area in our Business and Operational Planning.

All literacy instruction is underpinned by research and evidence supporting the explicit instruction model. Teachers utilise a 4 step instructional model consisting of: Learning Outcomes & Success Criteria, Warm Ups, A gradual release of responsibility, and the Ploughback. This ensures that students are constantly revisiting prior learning so it can be embedded into long term memory.

Reading instruction focuses on "The Big Six" components - Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension.

Whole school approaches exist for Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Spelling, and Writing.

At West Busselton Primary School, we are committed to building strong mathematical foundations for every student.

Each maths lesson begins with a warm-up to revise and reinforce previously taught concepts, helping students activate their prior knowledge and prepare for new learning.

Fluency practise is also prioritised, taking place at least four times a week. These sessions focus on developing speed, accuracy and confidence with number facts and essential operations.

We use a consistent whole-school approach to maths instruction. This structured method breaks learning into small, clear steps, allowing teachers to explicitly model new skills and guide students through guided and independent practise.

Our goal is for every student to see themselves as capable, confident mathematicians ready to apply their learning in real-world situations.

At West Busselton Primary School all students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 study music for 1 hour a week.  

Students experience the main elements of music (Pitch, Rhythm, Beat, Dynamics, Form and Tempo) through two main areas, making and responding.  When students are making music, we are singing songs, learning dances to go with songs, creating rhythms to play on tuned and untuned instruments or playing arrangements on the xylophones and marimba. In year 3 all students learn the recorder and then in year 4 – 6 students learn songs on the Ukulele.  

When responding to music, students listen to many different styles from pop to classical to jazz and listen for different parts and consider how they personally feel about the music. Through extensive research Music learning is the only area that develops our auditory processing to a high level and if exposed to music learning between the ages of 3-12 it supports the neurological (brain development) foundation for all learning.

Students in years 1 – 6 also have the choice to join the school choir where they perform at many different events throughout the year including the Bunbury Eisteddfod and the Community Carols By Candlelight event at the Busselton Jetty.

When students reach years 5 & 6, selected students from a music aptitude test can learn a musical instrument through the Instrumental Music program IMSS. Instruments on offer are Woodwind – Flute & Clarinet and Brass instruments such as Trumpet, Trombone and Euphonium.

Tanya Harte
Music Specialist

Kenalkan, nama saya Ibu Rovis-Hermann. Saya guru Bahasa Indonesia yang baru.

Students from Year K to Year 6 study Indonesian for 1 hour every week. This happens in the Indonesian Room in Room 14.

The focus is to introduce students to Bahasa Indonesia and develop their skills in speaking, listening, viewing, reading and writing in the new language.

My goal is to develop a positive attitude towards language learning and a belief that it is achievable. I try to make learning Indonesian fun by giving the children opportunities to speak and use music, games and stories to motivate, engage and make the learning connected to the real world.

Terima kasih

Ibu Rovis-Hermann

Every week all classes have a timetabled 60-minute lesson of Phys Ed with the Physical Education specialist, or class teacher (Kindy). The program is supplemented with a Beach Walk with their class bi-weekly on Friday mornings at the end of Bower Road. In addition, we have a before-school Run Club in Term 3 to prepare and train for the Cross Country and Athletics School and Interschool Carnivals.

Students are exposed to a wide range of fundamental movement skills, minor games, modified team sports and associated skills. At West Busselton Primary School we promote teamwork, inclusion and want to promote a 'movement for life' philosophy to assist our students in establishing healthy habits both mentally and physically.

Miss Katrina Shrewsbury
Physical Education Specialist

West Busselton Primary School is a Health Promoting school and as such a strong emphasis is placed on physical activity. The school holds various sporting events throughout the year and all students are encouraged to participate and have fun. Parents are encouraged to attend these events and cheer on the teams.

• Term 1: Beach Carnival

• Term 3: Cross-Country (years 1-6).  The fastest 4-5 finishers per gender from years 4-6 are invited to represent the school at the Interschool Cross Country. 

• Term 4: Athletics Carnival (includes pre-carnival events)

• Term 4: School Triathlon (years 3-6)

The Interschool Summer Carnival for Year 6 and select Year 5 students is held in Term 1. Students compete in Basketball, Cricket, Teeball, Tennis or Volleyball.

The Interschool Winter Carnival for Year 6 and select Year 5 students is held in Term 2. Students compete in AFL, Netball, Soccer and Hockey.

The school has 4 factions:

• Blue

• Gold

• Red

• Green

Students are encouraged to wear their faction shirt on the day their class has Phys Ed lessons and also during faction based carnivals.

Positive student behaviour throughout the school is rewarded with PBS points. At the end of each term the winning faction receives a reward activity.

Year 5 students nominate and perform a speech to be voted in as a Year 6 Captain for their Faction, these Captains lead our students at school carnivals, run lunch time games and assist with sport equipment.

Students have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons during the year with their class. Buses are used to transport students to the Geographe Leisure Centre every day for 2 weeks for a 45 minute lesson at their appropriate swimming stage. These lessons are considered an important part of the school Phys Ed program.