Specialist Subjects
Studies in Languages, the Arts, Physical Education and STEM
French
Bonjour! The French (Languages) program at BPPS is an exciting and stimulating program aimed at teaching students the basics of French pronunciation, key phrases, poetry, songs and culture.
French is taught from Foundation to Grade 6. It consists of one sixty-minute lesson per week. Learning French is achieved through conversation, songs and rhymes, play-acting, games, poetry recitation, and multimedia programs. Students are encouraged to post on Seesaw to showcase their writing, pronunciation, videos and progress in oral and written French.
To explore, promote and reinforce selected vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, students can use a school-purchased app called Languagenut. This app enables students, typically from grades 3 to 6, to log in to a French language-based platform that promotes online learning of familiar topics and related everyday phrases.
The French program includes an in-house annual poetry recitation competition. Each level is taught a French poem, and students compete in classes and levels to demonstrate memorisation, expression and authentic pronunciation.
This activity not only showcases students’ French prowess but also their presentation and public speaking skills as they present to their peers. Book prizes and certificates are awarded to level winners.
Le Quatorze Juillet (Bastille Day), the French National Day, is celebrated annually with a school-wide incursion that celebrates French music, language, and culture. Students have dressed up in wonderful and creative costumes, ranging from the Eiffel Tower, croissants, Napoleon, Marcel Marceau, French fries, and even the guillotine! The French Day is supported by the school canteen, which provides French-themed food for students to purchase and enjoy on the day.
French is the source of many well-used expressions in our English language and is one of the languages taught at Balwyn High, the main secondary feeder school our students attend after BPPS. In our ever-increasing global world, it is important to recognise that French is spoken in thirty other countries worldwide, and it is one of the six diplomatic languages spoken at the United Nations.
Magnifique!
Performing Arts
Boroondara Park has a thriving and exciting Performing Arts program, which provides our students with ample opportunities to become involved in the various dance, drama, and musical activities we offer.
All students from Foundation to Grade 6 have a 60-minute session of Performing Arts each week, providing a well-rounded curriculum that explores dance, drama, and music.
We have two well-equipped Performing Arts rooms. Our music-specific classroom features an array of tuned and untuned percussion instruments that our students utilise. The other, our dance and drama classroom, is an open space where students can participate in drama and movement activities. A range of ICT is incorporated throughout our Performing Arts program.
Boroondara Park prides itself on a commitment to training students in theatre etiquette as well as providing them with an opportunity to work on the stage. We stage a Whole School Production every second year, held in professional theatre venues.
Students with an interest in the technical aspects of theatre can also work backstage or in the bio box to further develop their interest. Other performance opportunities we provide include our annual Community Carols Night, Assembly performances, and Class Concerts.
We also have a strong instrumental program providing students with the opportunity to learn an instrument outside of their scheduled Performing Arts lesson each week. Currently, Boroondara Park offers lessons in violin, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Please contact the office for further information.
For those students keen to pursue their love of Performing Arts outside of the classroom, we also offer the following opportunities:
- BPPS School Choir: Grades 3-6
- Rock Band: Instrumental students
- Songwriting Competitions
- Disco club
- Class Concerts
Visual Arts
At Boroondara Park Primary School, we offer an exciting, extensive and varied visual arts program. Our purpose-built art room allows us to offer ceramics, in addition to a full range of art genres. All students, from Foundation to Grade 6, experience a range of visual arts opportunities that explore different media, allowing them to continually develop their skills and understanding.
Our aim is to link these skills with whole-school concepts and respond to art events in the wider community. Short and ongoing projects are undertaken, and our students are encouraged to reflect on their own completed artworks.
The visual arts include exposing students to the works of renowned artists and require them to respond to a variety of styles from different periods in history.
The visual arts encourage all students to think creatively and produce high-quality artworks. Artworks are displayed in the school corridors and classrooms, and the students derive immense pride and pleasure from the experience of having their work exhibited to the school community. The visual arts page in the newsletter showcases the creativity of the students across each level.
Opportunities are sought so that children’s artworks can be exhibited to the wider community. The school’s Arts Pillar students have the opportunity to plan and deliver art activities in the Care, Learn and Share classes, as well as promote the visual arts throughout the school with classroom and corridor displays. The termly Expos feature displays of student artwork from Foundation to Grade 6, allowing parents and visitors to appreciate the school’s art culture.
Physical Education/Sport
At Boroondara Park Primary School, we offer a comprehensive Physical Education and Sport program designed to develop the physical literacy of all students. This provides students with opportunities to enhance their physical, psychological, cognitive, and social skills across various environments.
The Physical Education program places a strong emphasis on the development of Fundamental Motor Skills in the junior years (Foundation to Year 2), while focusing on Game Sense skills for senior students (Years 3 to 6). Through this structured approach, students engage in diverse programs aimed at fostering their physical literacy, including:
- Understanding the importance of rules and procedures,
- Recognising the benefits of daily physical activity and its role in supporting overall wellbeing,
- Developing Fundamental Motor Skills such as throwing, catching, kicking, ball bounce, two-hand strike, forehand strike, punting, running, dodging, leaping, and jumping,
- Applying a Game Sense approach across various sports categories, including invasion, wall and net, striking and fielding, and target games,
- Participating in Athletics and Cross Country training programs,
- Engaging in a comprehensive Gymnastics program (all year levels),
- Involvement in a Swimming program (all year levels),
- Game Creation unit (Years 1 – 2),
- Bike Education program (Years 3 – 4) and,
- Sport Education in Physical Education Program (SEPEP) (Years 5 – 6).
In addition to Physical Education, students also participate in a well-rounded school sports program. Foundation students take part in the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP), which develops both fine and gross motor skills through targeted games and activities.
Students in Years 1 to 4 participate in weekly sports sessions that focus on reinforcing Fundamental Motor Skills through minor games and activities aligned with the broader Physical Education (PE) curriculum.
Students in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to represent Boroondara Park Primary School in the North Balwyn District Interschool Sport Competition. Through this program, participants may engage in a variety of sports, including AFL, Netball, Tee Ball, Soccer, Cricket, Volleyball, Rounders, Hockey, Hot Shots Tennis, Basketball, Softball, and Battleball.
Furthermore, students have the opportunity to compete in school-based Swimming, Cross-Country, and Athletics carnivals, with the chance to advance to District, Division, Regional, and state-level competitions.
All students in Years 3 and 4 participate in the annual Hoop Time basketball competition. Students in Years 5 and 6 also take part in this event biennially, alternating with their involvement in the senior school production.
Instrumental Music Teachers
Ben Fleming
Ben's passion, however, is to help his students find ways of expressing themselves through their playing, whilst underscoring this creativity with a solid and essential foundation of music theory.
His priority as a music tutor is to create and facilitate a comfortable and supportive learning environment. He knows that to support a young musician, the learning should be fun, enriching, yet disciplined. In this way students are encouraged to realise their potential as musicians, and, most importantly, find ways to express themselves through their chosen repertoire.
He is passionate about teaching contemporary and jazz music with a foundation of music reading and theory, and knows that this is a uniquely individual experience.
This being so, Ben works with students to cater to their individual needs, giving them choice - and voice - and the awareness of what they can achieve through practice and commitment.
Sebastian Fowler
He has taught students of all ages with a wide variety of experience and ability levels.
He is passionate about creating a positive and supportive learning environment where students build solid musical foundations, proper safe technique and musical literacy.
Sebastian focuses on delivering student centred lessons that promote growth and self confidence as students develop their musical abilities.
Contact Sebastian:
0404 808 861
sebastian.fowler@hotmail.com
Trent Bunston
Students receive one-on-one weekly lessons with experienced teachers who focus on individual strengths, fostering persistence and growth.
Learning includes technique, theory, performance, and ensemble skills. Regular performance opportunities - from class showcases to recitals - build confidence and motivation.
Advanced students may join performance quartets for public events, gaining valuable experience for future scholarships.
Lessons are held during school hours at BPPS or after school in Mont Albert, with affordable access to quality second-hand instruments.
Contact Trent:
0413 207 689
trentbunston@gmail.com
Mia Van Wyk
As a qualified piano teacher and music therapist, Mia believes in a warm, positive and individualised approach to teaching.
She aims to help young musicians to develop a strong technical foundation, while growing a deep appreciation for classical and contemporary styles of music.
In addition, Mia supports and helps students prepare for any AMEB piano exams, as well as music theory exams.
Contact Mia:
0420 817 800
miavwyk@gmail.com
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