At St Finbarr's, we are blessed to have a range of specialist teachers who enrich our learning programs and provide students with high-quality educational experiences across key learning areas.
Health and Physical Education (HPE)
At St Finbarr's, HPE is all about getting moving, having fun and building healthy habits for life. Our engaging program is delivered by a specialist HPE teacher two days per week and is aligned with Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education.
Every class enjoys one energetic HPE lesson each week.
Students engage in a wide range of movement experiences designed to promote cooperation, sportsmanship and effective teamwork. Through both individual and group activities, students develop and refine fundamental movement skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills.
HPE at St Finbarr's also supports the development of health‑related fitness, such as aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and skill development. With encouragement and positive reinforcement, students grow in confidence, develop self‑belief and build a positive attitude towards physical activity.
Our goal is to introduce students to a broad range of sports and movement experiences, inspiring a love of being active and supporting lifelong health and wellbeing.
STEM
STEM at St Finbarr's is an integrated approach to learning across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics which reflects the way children naturally learn, supporting curiosity, collaboration and creativity through hands-on, inquiry-based and real-world learning experiences.
Through STEM lessons students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems and take informed risks. This approach builds resilience, confidence and a growth mindset, with a strong focus on innovation and discovery.
STEM learning experiences at St Finbarr's include:
- Science, where students act as curious explorers, investigating and developing an understanding of the world through observation, questioning and experimentation.
- Technology, which involves the purposeful use of digital tools, coding and simple devices to solve problems, extending beyond computers to include everyday tools that support learning.
- Engineering, where students design, build and test solutions to practical challenges, developing creativity, collaboration and perseverance.
- Mathematics, which strengthens logical thinking, data analysis and reasoning, enabling students to apply mathematical understanding in meaningful contexts.
At St Finbarr's, STEM opportunities are embedded within the curriculum and supported through co-curricular experiences. Together, these experiences prepare students for the modern world by developing the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed to be confident, capable and innovative learners.
Philosophy
Philosophy is often described as the “love of wisdom" and encourages students to become thoughtful, reflective thinkers. Students are invited to explore big ideas and questions about life, thinking, values and decision-making. Rather than focusing on one correct answer, philosophy promotes deep thinking, curiosity and respectful discussion.
At St Finbarr's, students are introduced to the process of philosophical inquiry and learn how effective questioning can deepen their understanding across learning areas. Through guided discussion and reflection, students explore concepts such as fairness, rules and choices, imagination and reality, changing our minds, understanding self, what makes something fun, and the importance of celebration.
Philosophy supports the development of confident communicators who can listen, reason and articulate their ideas thoughtfully.
Drama - Term 2 (Yrs 3-6) Term 3 (Prep - Yr 2)
Drama at St Finbarr's gives students the opportunity to shine, imagine and express themselves in creative and confident ways. Through drama, students explore storytelling, movement, voice and role‑play while having plenty of fun along the way. Students participate in engaging activities that encourage imagination, collaboration and communication. They learn to step into different roles, explore characters and situations, and express ideas through movement, facial expression and voice. Drama lessons provide a safe and supportive environment where students are encouraged to take creative risks and build confidence.
Through drama, students develop important skills such as listening, cooperation, empathy and problem‑solving. Working both independently and as part of a group, they learn to respect others' ideas, share the spotlight and celebrate creativity.
Drama at St Finbarr's supports self‑expression, confidence and joy in learning, while nurturing students' creativity and helping them find their voice.
Language - Term 3 Nihongo
In Term 3 the students will have Through fun, hands-on lessons, students will explore the Japanese language and culture in ways that spark curiosity, build confidence and encourage creativity.