Reading
Reading is the foundation of most learning at school. Children who cannot read well often have a very unhappy school life. This systematic and comprehensive remedial phonics program makes sure children can read well. It is suitable for all age groups from Kindergarten through to Year 6, and is also used for teenagers and adults. Students learn that there are two types of words:
Phonic words can be sounded out quickly and accurately from left to right. Most words in the English language follow rules. Even the word “boat” follows the rule “When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.” At a more advanced level, the word “hop” is given a “double p” when changed to “hopping” because a vowel followed by a double consonant makes a short sound, unlike the long vowel sound in the word “hoping”. Students learn the rules in a set order, as they are ready.
Sight words consist of words that can not be sounded out such as “was” and “mother”, as well as high frequency words such as “and”. Sight words make up about two-thirds of the words children read, so if they are known well the reading process becomes much faster.
Students can move from the Reading program into the English program once their basic reading skills are up to a good level.

Primary Mathematics
This program builds confidence and skill in all number operations, space and measurement. There is a strong emphasis on the basic number facts including the times tables. Students learn to solve routine problems as well as those of a more complicated nature. A solid foundation in maths is very important before starting high school.

Primary English
Students with good mechanical reading skills can join this program, which covers reading comprehension and written expression, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary development. Competence in all these areas is critical for success in high school.

Selective Schools Program
Students sitting the Selective Schools Test, in March of Year 6, and other scholarship exams, should enrol in the Advanced Primary English and Maths programs when they are in Year 5. Students develop and maintain incredible speed and accuracy in difficult work, especially problem solving in mathematics and general ability. The program also covers reading comprehension and written expression of a variety of sophisticated text types. Exam techniques are also developed. Please be aware that half of the marks for Selective School entry are provided by the primary school. Students therefore need to be working at an advanced level right through their primary school years.