Teaching and Learning

At Peace Lutheran Primary School, we aim to develop each individual student as a unique creation of God with unique gifts, talents and needs. Using the Australian Curriculum, the LEA Vision for Learners and Learning, and the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, Peace strives to deliver a quality education that nurtures the hearts and minds of our students and prepares them to be confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners and active and informed members of the community.

At Peace we believe that:

  • Each child is an individual, created by God with unique strengths and abilities
  • Learning is a developmental process; children learn at different rates and times
  • The building of relationships is central to effective teaching and learning

Curriculum at Peace:

At Peace we use the Australian Curriculum as the foundation for our educational program and implement the following key learning areas within our school to ensure we meet the educational needs of our students.

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Christian Studies
  • Science
  • HASS – including Geography, History, Civics & Citizenship, Economics & Business
  • Health and Physical Education
  • The Arts
  • Technologies
  • Languages – Auslan

As a Christian school, the Christian Studies Curriculum forms the foundation of both the education and pastoral care of our students. It is a vital component of the school’s broader Christian education, alongside practices such as school worship and devotions. The Christian Studies Curriculum Framework (CSCF) provides a structured approach to Christian Studies, enabling students to explore a range of religious and non‑religious perspectives within the context of the school’s holistic Christian education experience.

Agile Learning Environments

At Peace, we boast agile learning environments across all of our classrooms from Prep to Year 6. The open design of our classrooms promotes student engagement and allows for flexibility so that our classrooms can be re-configured to suit different teaching and learning approaches. Our agile learning environments tie with our commitment to Project Based Learning as they cater for independent learners as well as collaboration in both small and whole group situations.

INITIALIT
InitiaLit is a three-year, whole-class evidence-based literacy program. The InitiaLit Program is introduced in Prep and progresses through until the end of Year 2. InitiaLit is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and provides students with explicit instruction in reading, spelling and related skills, building the foundations for students to become successful readers and writers.

Project Based Learning
Within each of our year levels teachers engage students in Project Based Learning. Through this teaching method, students investigate an interesting and complex question, problem or challenge that is relevant to their curriculum and then respond to this by creating a product.

Project Based Learning helps to prepare our students for the future through meaningful, engaging, hands-on experiences that help to develop students’ soft skills of flexibility, deeper thinking, grit, perseverance, resilience, curiosity, collaboration, creativity and independence. An important part of the PBL process is exhibiting student products to an authentic audience, allowing students to explain their learning, answer questions and receive feedback. As such, Peace hosts an annual whole school Showcase of Learning. Classes also host their own individual showcases at other times during the year.

Resource Centre
Our Librarian and Library Assistant support children and teachers with research, resources and reading material. Organised lunch time activities encourage children to access the Resource Centre during breaks. Children are encouraged to borrow reading material from the library regularly as classes visit often for classroom and home borrowing. Our Librarian also spends time engaging our younger classes in shared reading experiences to develop their love of literature.

Specialist Arts Lessons

Children at Peace participate in weekly specialist lessons in Physical Education, The Arts and Languages, delivered by our experienced specialist teachers.

All students participate in weekly Physical Education lessons led by our PE teacher and supported by classroom teachers. These lessons provide opportunities for students to develop their skills and confidence through a variety of sports and activities, including gymnastics, basketball, soccer, futsal, rugby league and Australian Rules Football.

As part of our commitment to developing the whole child, students in Prep and Year 1 participate in a weekly Perceptual Motor Program (PMP). This program helps build foundational gross motor skills, balance, coordination and body awareness, supporting students’ physical development and readiness for learning.

Weekly Arts lessons are offered across the school, with a focus on Music and Visual Arts. Guided by our specialist Arts teacher, students explore and respond to artistic works, develop their creative skills, and create, present and perform works of art appropriate to their stage of development.

Languages lessons at Peace focus on Auslan and are taught by our qualified Auslan teacher. Through these lessons, students learn to communicate meaning using Auslan, developing both expressive and receptive communication skills while gaining an understanding of Deaf culture and language.


Sporting Program

Our inclusive fee structure covers the cost of many sporting opportunities, including transport to events, registration fees, swimming lessons and pool entry. Students in Years 5 and 6 participate in local interschool sporting competitions each term, with opportunities to compete in sports such as soccer, cricket, netball and softball.

Throughout the year, students from Years 3 to 6 may also represent the school at futsal carnivals and other sporting events alongside students from neighbouring schools. After school sports practice is offered ‘in season’ and extra-curricular activities are offered through interested teachers and community members.

Students belong to one of our three sporting houses: Amity (Peace), Creed (Faith) and Valour (Courage). The houses compete in swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals throughout the year. Age Champion medals are awarded to students in Years 3–6 for their achievements at the swimming, cross-country and athletics carnivals. For students in Prep to Year 2, the focus is on participation, skill development and enjoyment.

Through a range of fun, non-competitive activities, every child is encouraged to be active, build confidence and experience success.


Technology Program
Peace Lutheran Primary School has a 1:1 iPad Program for students in Years 4 to 6. This initiative is designed to enhance learning opportunities, foster digital literacy, and prepare students for the future by integrating technology into everyday learning. It is guided by the education goals for young Australians, as outlined in The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (2019), which aims to develop students into successful lifelong learners and informed, productive users of technology. The iPad program is further supported by our school’s Curriculum Policy, which promotes the responsible and ethical use of technology to enhance teaching and learning outcomes for all students.