The Junior School English curriculum is designed to establish skills and understanding in the areas of language, literacy, and literature. Through a structured teaching and learning model, students develop essential skills in reading, writing, and speaking and listening, with a focus on oral language, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, reading accuracy, fluency, and text comprehension. Central to the Prep to Year 4 literacy curriculum, is the explicit and systematic teaching of phonics, which plays a vital role in the foundations of developing essential reading, writing and spelling skills.

Engaging with a wide range of texts, students learn to understand and create meaning, express ideas clearly, and communicate effectively. The Junior School program supports all learners by aligning evidence-based instruction with opportunities for creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression, which assists students to progress with confidence as capable communicators. Our Junior School educators are trained at a mastery level to deliver proven literary methodology, assisting students to acquire the essential skills for effective literacy development.

The Prep to Year 4 Mathematics curriculum is designed to build strength in numeracy skills and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Our young learners begin their mathematical journey with a hands-on approach to establish the fundamental principles upon which Mathematics is built.

Inspired by the highly regarded Singapore Mathematics approach, the Junior School Mathematics teaching emphasises deep conceptual understanding, visual representations, and problem-solving strategies. Students explore number, measurement, geometry, statistics, and algebra through a carefully sequenced program that builds proficiency, fluency, and critical thinking. Using concrete materials, pictorial models, and abstract reasoning, the Junior School teachers engage students in making meaningful mathematical connections and develop the skills to apply their learning in real-world contexts. Every learner is supported and challenged to thrive as a confident and capable mathematician.

Cross Curricular Learning (CCL) empowers Prep to Year 4 students to become curious, capable, and active participants in their learning journey. Based on a guided inquiry approach, CCL encourages students to explore a central idea through specific lines of inquiry, developing their ability to ask meaningful questions, conduct research, analyse problems, and think critically.

Through teacher guidance, rich resources, and scaffolded learning experiences, students engage in varied activities where they collect data, collaborate with peers, experiment, and make meaningful connections across subject areas. CCL integrates traditionally separate disciplines, including History, Science, Health, Geography, Humanities, and Technologies, into cohesive, real-world learning experiences for our young learners.

This approach fosters creativity, deep thinking, and a strong sense of agency. As the students develop their inquiry skills, they draw on the College Learning Dispositions to navigate challenges and reflect on their understandings. The culmination of higher-order thinking and inquiry skills are emphasised in Year 4 with the 'Genius Hour Exhibition', where students proudly present their own student-led inquiry projects which demonstrate the confidence, curiosity, and independence developed throughout their CCL journey.

At Overnewton, we are proud to offer a unique language immersion program that integrates the Junior School Science curriculum with language learning. Through the methodology of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), Prep to Year 4 students participate in Science lessons delivered in Mandarin, which combine language acquisition with rich, guided inquiry exploration of scientific concepts.

CLIL is an internationally recognised approach that teaches subject content through a second language and supports deeper engagement and cognitive development. Research shows that learning a second language at a young age enhances problem-solving, memory, concentration, multitasking, and creativity. Following 18 months of thorough research, and collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Overnewton became the first independent school in Australia to introduce a CLIL Mandarin program from Prep, in 2014.

Our program imbeds Science units from the Australian Curriculum and brings learning to life through engaging, multi-sensory experiences. Students investigate real-world topics such as weather patterns, life cycles, and material changes, with language instruction supported by gestures, visuals, experiments, and interactive experiences. Key concepts are further reinforced in English by classroom teachers, ensuring a thorough understanding of both the content and the language.

Students in Prep to Year 2 enjoy daily 25-minute Mandarin sessions, while those in Years 3 and 4 receive an additional 50-minute weekly lesson to extend vocabulary, literacy skills, and the implementation of Chinese characters. This innovative program not only builds strong foundations in Science and Mandarin but also fosters a love of learning, cultural awareness, and global citizenship.

The Junior School Performing Arts program provides students with a dynamic and well-rounded foundation in Dance, Drama, and Music. These disciplines are taught through an integrated and sequential approach, allowing students to develop their creative skills while building confidence and teamwork.

Through opportunities to create, perform, and respond to various art forms, students learn to express themselves, collaborate with others, and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. Performing Arts experiences assist the nurturing of self-confidence, imagination, and communication, which are skills that benefit all areas of learning.

Students are provided with opportunities to learn an instrument through the private Instrumental Program and voluntarily participate in various ensembles and choirs. The students engaged in these programs perform regularly to an audience at concerts and College events. These performances allow students to showcase their talents and celebrate their artistic growth within the wider school community.  

The Prep to Year 4 Physical Education program at Overnewton is designed to develop students’ fundamental motor skills, including running, throwing, catching, and striking, which form the foundation for more advanced, sport-specific abilities. Through engaging in group and team activities, students also strengthen essential social skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, and decision-making.

The program is delivered across a variety of learning environments, including indoor, outdoor, and aquatic, and includes a broad range of experiences such as athletics, ball handling, fitness education, gymnastics, dance, games, and sports.

In Prep, students participate in the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP), which supports both physical and cognitive development. PMP activities, such as balancing, catching, and spatial awareness exercises not only improve motor coordination but also play a key role in developing handwriting and classroom readiness skills, contributing to overall academic success.

The Visual Arts program at Overnewton encourages Junior School students to explore their creativity, imagination, and self-expression through a wide range of artistic experiences. Working both independently and collaboratively, students create artworks using diverse materials, media, and technologies that reflect their personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and the world around them.

Throughout the program, students are introduced to Australian, indigenous, and international art, and learn to appreciate and respect a variety of artistic and cultural traditions. They explore mediums such as drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, and clay modelling by engaging in hands-on learning that nurtures their creativity and curiosity.

In a supportive environment, students are encouraged to take creative risks, think critically, and express their unique perspectives. They also learn to discuss and reflect on their own work and the work of others, building a shared vocabulary for art and deepening their understanding of visual storytelling and cultural expression.

The Prep – Year 4 Visual Arts program assists students to grow in confidence, critical thinking, and artistic skill, while fostering an appreciation for diversity, creativity, and the power of visual communication.

Living by the Christian values is integral to the Junior School experience through Chapel services and weekly Religious and Values Education (RaVE) sessions. RaVE nurtures the spiritual, moral and ethical growth of each student by inviting them to explore Christian teachings while also fostering understanding and respect for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Guided by the College Christian ethos, RaVE encourages students to explore their own beliefs while developing respect for the diverse faiths, cultures, and worldviews of others.

Through stories, discussion, reflection, and practical application, students develop a strong moral compass through learning the importance of compassion, kindness, gratitude, and integrity. These principles are embedded across all areas of school life, assisting students to build character and grow as thoughtful, responsible members of their community.

As part of our College commitment to wellbeing and personal development, the RaVE curriculum also incorporates the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) education program. This evidence-based program supports the development of emotional intelligence, respectful behaviour, and positive relationships. It complements our values and Religious Studies curriculum by empowering students with the skills to build resilience, understand their rights and responsibilities, and navigate social and emotional challenges with confidence.

The focus of sport from Prep - Year 4 is to provide a fun way for children to be physically active. In the House Junior School Activate Event students engage in activities that promote fun, positive self-esteem, working together in an environment of cooperation, and developing healthy attitudes to competition. Year 4 students can also trial for the Year 4-6 District Swimming team and participate in the House Cross Country and Athletics Carnival. If students qualify, they can go on to represent Overnewton at District Carnivals for swimming, athletics and cross country.

Promoting confidence through oratory skills development, students begin with public presentations and advance to debates and competitions. Students gain valuable communication skills that prepare them for future challenges through the Debating Association of Victoria and other public speaking opportunities.

Junior School students can access private instrumental music lessons with seven foundation instrumental choices. Students participate in instrumental groups, choirs, and music ensemble and regularly perform at assemblies and showcase talent through concerts and College events.

Focusing on music and theatre, Junior School students can access various performance opportunities. Students regularly perform at assemblies, compete in eisteddfods, and showcase talent through concerts and College events.

Emphasising community service and service learning, this pillar incorporates sustainability, Indigenous culture, and global connections. Junior School students regularly participate in activities that raise awareness and funds for those in need, including support of our local Anglican Parish of St Luke’s Sydenham, and the work of Anglicare more broadly.

The House program offers all students opportunities to engage in a variety of activities that foster a sense of belonging and teamwork. The Junior School House Program encourages active participation in events like the Junior School House Encore Performance, where students work together to develop cooperation, confidence, and a healthy approach to competition. The program promotes a shift from 'me' to 'we,' ensuring that every student is an included and valued member of their House.