Specialist subjects and teachers further enhance the Primary curriculum
There is a wide choice of specialist subject areas offered at Plenty Primary and these include Physical Education, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Art, Music, the Instrumental Program, Science and Library.
French and Chinese
Children at Plenty Primary from Prep to Year 6 all learn French. From Grade 5 students also learn Chinese (Mandarin) - Grade 6 students will also learn Chinese (Mandarin) from 2018. Students have two, 40 minute lesson each week. Learning is achieved through techniques which use story-telling, gestures, drama, song, dance, repetition and students learning together.
Plenty Primary has a Primary Science Laboratory with its own specialist Science Teacher.
The facility places an emphasis on the Physical Sciences and helps children develop a passion for their scientific world. Science assists in harnessing the imagination of students and their interest in the world around us.
The Sinclaire Trust Enterprise Centre houses the Junior Library. This large, light space is a wonderful setting for students of all year levels to find books, complete research, collaborate on homework tasks and develop a love of literature. Students also enjoy quiet reading time, playing board games, Chess and Lego Club and drawing in this pleasant and welcoming facility. A vast collection of picture fiction, fiction and non-fiction texts are available for student borrowing including latest releases and classics. Dedicated library staff are on hand to help students with any of their learning needs, including information literacy, library skills and author or genre studies.
Plenty Primary offers a comprehensive Physical Education and Sporting experience for all children. In addition to the weekly Physical Education classes, children are also involved in swimming lessons, Primary Fitness sessions, the Auskick Program (which is ranked in the top 30 in the state and gives the children a chance to play on the MCG or Etihad Stadium every year!), Tennis lessons and the DOC Soccer Academy.
The Music Program includes singing, listening, speech, movement, dancing and playing percussion instruments to encourage all students to enjoy music.
All students in Years 2 and 3 receive weekly instrumental tuition learning the violin, viola or the cello.
The Instrumental Program is available to all students on a range of orchestral and popular instruments. These include: violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, percussion and voice. Other instruments are also available upon request.
Concerts and Productions
There is ample opportunity for students to perform throughout the year at both formal and informal concerts. Musical performance ensembles include the Primary Choir, Primary Rock Band, Chamber Strings, Percussion Ensemble (Rhythm Grooves) as well as individual performances.
Highlights of the Music Program are the Primary Production, with all students in Prep to Year 6 appearing on stage. This event occurs biennially on a professional stage. Soirees, Recitals, Christmas Carols and the annual Plenty Primary Showcase Concert are all excellent opportunities for students to challenge their performance abilities.
The Visual Arts Program at Plenty Primary provides students with opportunities to express themselves through their art works - to record what they see and know, to explore their imaginations, to express what they feel, and to experience the joy of creating and making.
The Plenty Primary Art Studio is an exciting, well-resourced space where students are encouraged and stimulated to think, plan, discuss, research, experiment, create, share, evaluate and present. A positive environment where effort and creativity are valued is promoted, and students understand that art works are individual and we think and respond in our own unique ways.
The Visual Arts Program is based on classroom Integrated Studies topics, following the interests of children and the development of specific Art areas. Skills are taught through practical activities and children understand that each Art area has particular tools, media and techniques to be learnt.
By viewing and responding to the work of other artists, children expand their own language of Art and come to understand, appreciate and develop aesthetic values of their own.