St Luke’s is a Catholic learning community establishing the ‘new normal’ for preschool to post school learning within an extended school day, 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
In a place where Learning = Infinite Possibilities, St Luke’s provides each student with inquiry experiences which are relevant to their real world. By providing a flexible and diverse curriculum, learning experiences will progressively be self-directed and increasingly personalised.
Within a safe and secure environment, literacy, numeracy and faith formation are viewed as strong foundations to assist young people identify and solve problems.
With each person taking responsibility for their own learning, all learners participate actively in a changing world where they are called to:
- WITNESS
- MANAGE
- RELATE
- INQUIRE
- THINK
- CREATE
This translates into a fifteen year learning journey for a child who commences as a 3 year old in our Catholic Early Learning Centre (CELC), moves through four schools within our Catholic learning community and then leaves as an 18 year old at the end of Year 12.
Our 6 Pillars of Learning
St Luke's Arrunga
Arrunga serves students from Kindergarten to Year 6 in 2021 and will be expanded to serve students from Kindergarten to Year 12 in future years.
St Luke’s Arrunga School is Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese’s new high support needs setting opened in 2021. Arrunga is a Darug word meaning ‘in harmony’. A purpose built learning environment which promotes a personalised approach to the needs and adjustments as required by students Arrunga enrols students who have a diagnosis of moderate intellectual disability as a primary disability and low adaptive functioning.
Arrunga is a purpose built learning environment which promotes a personalised approach to the needs and adjustments that students with a moderate intellectual disability and low adaptive functioning require. Similar settings, Wiyanga located at St Patrick’s Marist College at Dundas and Kirinari at Xavier Catholic College in Llandilo, enrol students from Years 7-12. St Luke’s Catholic College Marsden Park embraces St Luke’s Arrunga School as part of the broader college community. Students and families where appropriate will have access to learning experiences, activities and events within the college.
The School of Early Learning
The School of Early Years at St Luke’s comprises of 3 to 5 year olds in our Catholic Early Learning Centre (CELC).
The School of Early Years at St Luke’s comprises of 3 to 5 year olds across both our Catholic Early Learning Centre (CELC). Underpinned by Catholic values, and with underlying respect for the individual child, teachers determine how the learning is delivered in a way which is appropriate for the group. This is guided by research and knowledge of typical child development from the ages of 3 to 5 with strong consideration also given to individual differences in personality and family background. The early years curriculum is designed to provide experiences that will respond to children who have a sense of wonder and curiosity so they can explore their world. Young children learn by doing, and play is the medium through which children explore the world and learn about themselves and others.
The School of Foundations
The School of Foundations at St Luke’s comprises of 5 to 9 year olds in Kindergarten, Stages 1 and 2 (Years 1 to 4).
The School of Foundations at St Luke’s comprises of 5 to 9 year olds in (Kindergarten to 4). Through a curriculum which focuses on creativity through imagination, discovery and exploration, there is a strong focus on the acquisition of literacy and numeracy to increase subject knowledge through guided inquiry learning. Literacy and numeracy are important foundations for students as they engage with inquiry-based learning experiences where they exercise choice to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the social, cultural and emotional development of self and others. All this is enabled by agile learning spaces which support the growth of the inquisitive, curious and spiritual child.
While we set clear expectations for learning, we also approach instruction with the understanding that each child’s development is unique and individual. Through the use of differentiated instruction students have numerous access points to support their learning. Through play and interaction students reflect on how they manage themselves and relate with others. With the gradual release of responsibility for learning from teacher to student, each child uses social skills and increasing literacy and numeracy capabilities to interact and explore the world as a confident, connected learner.
The School of Leadership
The School of Leadership at St Luke’s comprises of 10 to 14 year olds in Stages 3 & 4 (Years 5 to 8).
The School of Leadership at St Luke’s comprises of 10 to 14 year olds in Stages 3 & 4 (years 5 to 8). The School of Leadership supports each child to refine and master the social and emotional skills and literacy and numeracy skills encountered in earlier years. With an ongoing release of responsibility for learning being transferred from teacher to student, the curriculum is used for each student to develop the leadership skills required to work collaboratively as an effective communicator and creative problem solver.
Building upon academic knowledge and social skills encountered in earlier years, 1:1 technology ensures an increased focus on digital literacy and presentation skills. Students access physical and virtual learning spaces which further develop their imagination and creativity through visible thinking. This supports each student’s ability to work for extended periods of time on interdisciplinary projects which respond to authentic problems and complex questions which are relevant to the real world. Further to this, and because we believe every student should have an opportunity to discover his or her passion, by Year 7 each student will work each with a Post School Pathways Advisor to help them understand their interests and aptitudes - ‘Who I Am’ - as part of our student coaching program. This assists each student develop a deep understanding of themselves, their natures and their strengths, both as a person and as a learner.
The School of Entrepreneurs
The School of Entrepreneurs comprises of 14 to 18 year olds in Stages 5 & 6 (Years 9 to 12).
The School of Entrepreneurs Learning at St Luke’s comprises of 14 to 18 year olds in Stages 5 & 6 (Years 9 to 12). It is the culmination of learning at St Luke’s where faith filled students leave prepared for life happiness and vocational success. Utilizing the resources of the local and global community established through relevant and meaningful partnerships, the learning potential of each student is realised. As competent and self-directed learners, students undertake various approaches including flipped learning, all of which support ‘self paced learning’ facilitated by expert teachers.
To inspire a more peaceful world, we understand that lives have more meaning through the purposeful engagement of one’s interests. As these interests become passions, we understand the influence of each person to motivate others through exhibiting great skill, limitless imagination and unbridled creativity. Drawing on their deep understanding of ‘who I am’ developed as part of the Post School Pathways Program, each student is provided both time and space (physical and virtual) to engage with their passions and master skills to support a life of happiness, relevance and meaning. We empower our students with the understanding that when they actively engage their passions, they acquire the ability to shape the world in a positive manner.
As adaptable, confident and conscientious young adults, each graduate of St Luke’s leaves ready for a changing world. As creative contributors and innovative problems solvers for a changing world, and accompanied with an enlightened understanding of the global world through a Catholic worldview, St Luke’s graduates leave our Learning Community with a deep understanding of themselves, their natures and their strengths, both as a person and as a learner.
The non-negotiables and literacy and numeracy are foundational to the learning development of each child. Furthermore, the 6 Pillars of Learning are vital expressions of the social skills and enterprise skills required for a changing world. Very obviously, faith formation in a Catholic context is embedded in everything we do through an experiential inquiry learning approach.