Our Primary School

At Marymede Catholic College, students in Prep to Year 6 experience a rich and supportive learning environment where they are nurtured to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. As part of a Prep to Year 12 campus, our Primary students benefit from access to exceptional facilities - including the Material Design Technology Building, Performing Arts Centre, Fitness Centre, Chapel, and specialist classrooms - enhancing their learning experience beyond what is typically available in a Primary setting.

Our curriculum follows the Victorian Curriculum, offering a structured and comprehensive framework for student learning, assessment, and reporting. In Prep to Year 4, the focus is on establishing strong foundations in core learning areas of Religious Education, Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry. Students also enjoy specialist studies in Health and Physical Education, Digital Technologies, Visual Arts, Music and Italian in purpose-built spaces. In Years 5 and 6, learning deepens as students take greater responsibility for their progress, engaging in all core curriculum areas and continuing their specialist studies.

Literacy and Numeracy

Our approach to teaching Literacy is grounded in evidence-based practices, with a strong emphasis on Structured Literacy in years Prep to 2, using systematic synthetic phonics and explicit instruction. From Years 3 to 6, our students further develop their fluency and skills in reading, writing and spelling by exploring, learning about and practicing using the conventions of the English language.

In Numeracy our students participate in differentiated learning environments that provide additional support to students who need extra assistance while also working to build knowledge and support learning growth of all others, including extending those who are excelling in this area. Inquiry learning invites students into a rich exploration of history, geography, science and health. through rich tasks and collaborative projects, culminating in students presenting their work at regular learning showcases.

Physical Development

Physical development is supported through weekly HPE lessons and co-curricular activities. Our Preps and Year 1s participate in a Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) as part of their HPE lessons. By the end of Year 6, students with a keen interest in sports have had many opportunities to participate in a wide range of House Athletics and Swimming carnivals, incursions (eg. Soccer clinics and bike education) and excursions (such as swimming lessons), as well as interschool sports, regional and district competitions and, for some students, state competitions.

Religious Education and Catholic Identity

Religious education and catholic identity permeate our students’ educational experience at Marymede as students participate in dialogue, prayer and liturgy on a regular basis. They explore topics through a catholic lens and participate in social justice projects and activities to enhance their understanding of catholic social teaching. The Sacramental program is rich and welcoming and prepares our students for Reconciliation (Year 3), First Eucharist (Year 4) and Confirmation (Year 6).

Wellbeing and Social Emotional Learning

Students also participate in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons each week which assists them to develop emotional literacy, respectful relationships and positive behaviours. This program is supported by additional small group programs to support students who require additional help to form social connections or deepen their social or emotional understandings and experience greater success at school. Social Emotional Learning is also enhanced through our Camp Program that commences in Year 3 with a special dinner and takes our students through a range of progressively developmentally appropriate camp experiences. The social emotional learning program feeds into the Student Leadership program for students in Year 6 as students develop their social and leadership skills throughout their years on the Primary Campus.