It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to you, on behalf of our staff, students and wider school community, as you consider becoming part of our wonderful Junior School family. I recognise the significance of choosing the right school, and I am pleased to showcase some of the many outstanding attributes our school has to offer your child, and your family.
At the heart of The Cathedral Junior School are our school values. Safety, responsibility, respect, and engagement. These values are woven into the fabric of everyday school life, ensuring all students are safe, well cared for, and active participants in their learning. Through community service projects, peer mentoring, and a multitude of extracurricular activities, these values guide our students towards becoming responsible global citizens with a deep sense of empathy and understanding.
In the Junior School we place a great emphasis on nurturing and developing the whole child. This holistic approach pays attention to each child’s physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, as well as cognitive aspects of learning. This ensures each child has the opportunity to learn new and exciting things, whilst exploring their own interests.
Our curriculum is meticulously designed to be engaging, relevant, and forward-thinking. Our dedicated staff set the stage for an enriching academic experience that builds upon the acquisition of foundational skills, concepts, and capabilities. From literacy and numeracy to the arts and sciences, our thematic and interdisciplinary approach allows students to make meaningful connections across subjects.
Ms Louise Anderson Head of Junior School
Our staff, comprising experienced educators, are experts in their respective fields. They bring to the classroom not just knowledge and skills, but also an infectious enthusiasm that creates a positive and vibrant learning atmosphere. Teacher-student relationships are central to the experience at our Junior School, and our student-teacher ratio ensures that each child receives personalised attention.
Our school is a welcoming and inclusive community of families from diverse backgrounds. We value the vital role parents and caregivers play in their child’s education. We foster the relationships between the child, the family and the school through our ‘Triangle of Care’. Parent-teacher meetings, family events, and open lines of communication, are a number of ways our parents become active participants in their child’s learning journey at The Cathedral Junior School.
Thank you for considering our Junior School as a partner in your child’s educational journey. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where curiosity is ignited, critical and creative thinking is valued, and the love of learning is cultivated. We invite you to explore our campus, interact with our community, and witness firsthand the joyous learning atmosphere that defines our Junior School.
We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you into our community, where your child can thrive as a happy, confident, and responsible learner.
CURRICULUM –WHAT WE BELIEVE
OUR VISION
Excellence and innovation – every lesson, every day for every learner.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe:
• Learning flourishes when students are challenged and inspired to explore, learn, and grow
• Deep learning occurs when learning environments, technologies, teaching methods, opportunities, partnerships, and connections are safe, positive, high-quality, innovative, authentic, and relevant
• Learning is meaningful when it involves self-reflection and responsibility
• Teaching is effectual when pedagogy is evidence-informed and data-driven
OUR PRINCIPLES
At Cathedral, teaching and learning is:
• Challenging
• Engaging
• Evidence-based
• Innovative
• Balanced
• Relevant
OUR PRACTICES
Cathedral teachers:
• Know their students and how they learn
• Build safe, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive learning environments
• Create stimulating, challenging, and balanced learning environments and support students to navigate and take ownership of their own learning
• Monitor student progress and use multiple forms of assessment and feedback to help students improve their learning and develop agency
• Use data to reflect on the effectiveness of their practice and programs
OUR GUIDING FRAMEWORKS
Our vision, philosophy, principles, and practices are identifiable in the Junior School’s Explicit Instruction and Walker Learning Approach and the Middle and Senior School’s New Art and Science of Teaching, support the use of the Teaching and Learning Framework, and are reflected in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
JUNIOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
OUR VISION
Excellence and innovation – every lesson, every day for every learner.
Junior School Teachers of all year levels across Prep to Year 6 collaboratively plan units of study each term. These units of work provide a cohesive framework on which to organise the delivery of the Australian Curriculum Key Learning Areas. A blend of teaching strategies provides children with the relevant curriculum content, encourages children to become investigative learners, and develop a diverse range of thinking skills necessary to allow them to become life-long learners.
The Junior School curriculum includes the learning areas of:
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) includes: History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business
• The Arts
With specialist learning areas:
• Health and Physical Education
• The Arts – Music – Instrumental Music Program (Year 4 to Year 6)
• Languages (LOTE) – Japanese (Year 3 to Year 6)
• Technologies – Design & Technologies and Digital Technologies
• Christian Education
The goal of every educator at The Cathedral Junior School is to provide each child with an engaging, relevant and challenging curriculum. The priority of The Cathedral Junior School is the development of solid foundations in literacy and numeracy for every student. A range of data sets are collected through our internal monitoring system to ensure every student is provided with the best opportunity to develop these skills.
Our curriculum is designed to maximise learning outcomes for all students by incorporating evidence-based teaching strategies, including explicit instruction and the Walker Learning Approach. Teachers use a range of methods—such as constructive, targeted feedback, personalised goal setting, tracking individual progress, and delivering curriculum in a timely and well-organised way—to support each student’s development. This consistent approach allows teachers across all campuses—Early Learning Centre (ELC), Junior School, Middle School, and Senior School—to collaborate effectively. It fosters a shared language and understanding around our core focus: high-quality teaching and learning.
The general reporting cycle for Prep to Year 6 is:
• Compulsory Parent/Teacher interview to discuss child’s progress occurs at the end of Term 1 with the child’s guardian teacher.
• Voluntary Parent/Teacher interview at the end of Term 3 with your child’s guardian teacher.
• A written school report is issued at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2.
SCIENCE
Science enables students to develop an understanding of important Science concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, Science’s contribution to our culture and society, and its uses in our lives. It supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills needed to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues, and to succeed in Science-related careers. Students can nurture their natural curiosity about the world around them.
Science aims to ensure that students develop:
• an interest in Science as a way of expanding their curiosity and willingness to explore, ask questions about and speculate on the changing world they live in
• a solid foundation of knowledge of the biological, Earth and space, physical and chemical Sciences, including being able to select and integrate scientific knowledge and practices to explain and predict phenomena and to apply understanding to new situations and events
Students across Prep to Year 6 study a range of scientific topics to build an understanding of scientific inquiry and the ability to use a range of scientific inquiry practices, including questioning; planning and conducting experiments and investigations based on ethical and interculturally aware principles; generating and analysing data.
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) provide a broad understanding of the world we live in, and how people can participate as active and informed citizens with high-level skills needed now and in the future. They provide opportunities for students to develop their own personal and social learning, and to explore their perspectives as well as those of others.
Students develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. This requires an understanding of the key historical, geographical, legal, political, economic, business and societal factors involved, and how these different factors interrelate.
HASS aims to develop students’:
• sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures and systems throughout the world, past and present, and an interest in and enjoyment of the study of these phenomena
• key historical, geographical, civic, business and economic knowledge of people, places, values and systems, past and present, in local to global contexts
• understanding and appreciation of historical developments, geographic phenomena, civic values and economic factors that shape society, influence sustainability and create a sense of belonging
• understanding of the key concepts applied to disciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary inquiries
• capacity to use disciplinary skills, including disciplinaryappropriate questioning, researching using reliable sources, analysing, evaluating and communicating
• dispositions required for effective participation in everyday life, now and in the future, including the ability to problemsolve critically and creatively, make informed decisions, be a responsible and active citizen, make informed economic and financial choices, and reflect on ethics.
THE ARTS
Through The Arts, students learn to express their ideas, thoughts, questions, understandings and opinions. They develop aesthetic knowledge and learn that the creative and critical processes of each of The Arts subjects are essential to learning in, about and through The Arts. In most year levels, subjects within The Arts are incorporated in other learning area units of work to connect and enhance content and learning experiences.
The Arts aims to develop students’:
• creativity, critical thinking, aesthetic knowledge and understanding about arts practices
• knowledge and skills to imagine, observe, express, respond to and communicate ideas and perspectives in meaningful ways
• use of available resources and materials including digital tools
• empathy for multiple perspectives and understanding of personal, local, regional, national and global histories and traditions through the arts
• engagement with the diverse and continuing cultures, arts works and practices of First Nations Australians
• understanding of local, regional, national and global cultures, and their arts histories and traditions, through engaging with the worlds of artists, arts works, audiences and arts professions.
These aims are extended and complemented by specific aims for each of the five subjects in The Arts:
• Dance
• Drama
• Media Arts
• Music
• Visual Arts
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
As an Anglican School, The Cathedral Junior School has a strong Christian component to its programming and ethos. This is reflected in that every Prep to Year 6 class has a weekly Christian Education (CE) lesson delivered by the Assistant Chaplain to Junior School. In addition to this, there is a weekly Chapel service for all children which is led by the whole school Chaplain. Children in Kindergarten are offered a Chapel service, led by the Chaplain once a week.
The Christian Education program, grounded in the Anglican tradition, supports students from Prep to Year 6 in exploring the Christian faith. Lessons are developmentally and age appropriate, aiming to help students understand the foundations of Christianity in a thoughtful and engaging program. Students develop the skills to explore the nature and context of the Christian faith and triune God as presented in the Bible.
The Christian Education curriculum seeks to broaden each student’s education by helping them develop their understanding and knowledge of biblical principles, to build skills which will enhance their overall learning ability and to form an understanding of values and attitudes of faith, culture and the world today. Lessons use a variety of materials and props and are designed to be as interactive as possible, with strong encouragement of curiosity and discussions.
The children are encouraged to see the lesson content as going beyond a history lesson and into how themes and values are applicable to their own lives.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION – YEAR 2 TO YEAR 6
The Cathedral School is well-known for its extensive and very successful outdoor education program. All students from Year 2 to 10 have an annual expedition to learn about themselves and their environment.
Specific themes are explored in each year level. However, Outdoor education is multi-disciplinary, containing elements of History, Geography, Science, Mathematics, English, The Arts and personal development intertwined in a maze of emotions and experiences.
Year 2
1 night/2 days
The very first camp is held at Jourama Falls, where the students spend one night camping in tents. During the days, they explore the surrounding walking trails and learn about swim safety in creeks. Students test their balance and coordination with fun Camp Games and they learn basic camping skills.
Year 3
2 night/3 days
This camp takes students to Big Crystal Creek, where they spend two nights camping in tents. The students learn basic kayaking skills whilst incorporating fun games on the water. Their team building skills and resilience will be further developed at the Low Ropes course in Paluma, where students will explore local trails and scenic lookouts. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to improve their camping skills as they learn how to build a shelter and set up tents. The campfire singalong at night-time is often one of the highlights for the students.
Year 4
3 nights/4 days
Increasing the overnight stay to three nights, students sleep in tents at Camp Gedling at the top of Hervey’s Range. Here they will be introduced to high ropes and abseiling and will learn how to hit the target during archery. Students also learn basic map reading skills as they navigate through camp looking for checkpoints on their maps. On the last day, students engage in team building skills that foster leadership, communication skills and self-confidence as they work together to solve problems and overcome challenges.
In the Junior School, the activities are developmental and age-appropriate, and provide a valuable extension to classroom learning. Through their outdoor education experiences, students develop important attributes such as teamwork, confidence, resilience, problem-solving, initiative and leadership. And they have fun!
Year 5
3 nights/4 days
Spending three nights in Hidden Valley, this camp focuses on building leadership skills and confidence. It builds on previously learnt skills and adds new levels of difficulty. Students practice their abseiling skills on natural surface and use their archery skills in a game of archery tag. They spend time in the beautiful gorge, building rafts and then testing them out in the water. Mountain biking is introduced at a basic level and students learn important safety aspects of the sport whilst having fun exploring Hidden Valley on two wheels.
Year 6
5 nights/6 days
This is an outdoor education trip with a difference – a trip to the nation’s capital – Canberra. This tour is a part of the students’ History studies to develop a deeper understanding of how Australia is governed. The students participate in tours of both the Old and New Parliament Houses, a variety of local attractions and museums such as the Australian Institute of Sport, The National Museum, The Australian War Memorial and Questacon.
EXTRACURRICULAR AND
The Junior School offers a wide range of activities and experiences to cater to the individual child’s interests, passions, talents and personal development. Activities occur before and after school, as well as at break times.
PRIVATE TUITION
Private Music Tuition
Private vocal and instrumental tuition is available to all students to support their ongoing musical development.
These are available in Piano and Violin from Prep. From Year 3 private tuition is also available for Voice, Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Drums and Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double bass. Students are prepared for competitions and exams upon request.
Private Speech and Drama Tuition
Speech and Drama Tuition is offered in individual, small and medium groups. Our specialist drama teacher offers classes for individuals and small groups during school time, however medium groups are run after school. Students are given the opportunity to perform both in and out of the school community. They are prepared for competitions and exams upon request.
Private Dance Tuition
Group dance lessons are offered before and after school in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Hip Hop styles. Classes cater for students of all levels and are run in our purpose built dance studio with our specialist Dance Instructor.
Music Ensembles
Junior School students are offered the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extracurricular music ensembles, which not only extend the musical experiences of each student, but also play an important role in the school community. Performances are held throughout the year in and out of the school. Rehearsals occur before, during or after school depending on the ensemble.
Choral
• Animato Choir –Year 4 to 6
• Sopranino Choir –Year 2 and 3
• Piccolo Choir –Year 1
Instrumental Ensembles
• Beginner Recorder Ensemble
• Advanced Recorder Ensemble
• Junior Concert Band
• Junior String Orchestra
• Junior Flute Ensemble
• Junior Clarinet Ensemble
• Junior Brass Ensemble
• Junior Percussion Ensemble
• Junior Guitar Ensemble
• Junior Saxophone Ensemble
• Junior Reeds Ensemble
Junior School Dance Troupe
The Cathedral Junior Dance Troupe offers students from Year 3 to 6 the opportunity to work as a team to create performance pieces for various school events and competitions, under the direction of our specialist Dance Instructor. Auditions are held annually for students who are passionate about dance and study the areas of Ballet, Contemporary or Jazz.
ACADEMIES
The Cathedral School Rugby League Academy
The Cathedral Junior School Rugby League Academy is a great opportunity for boys and girls to have fun and develop their skills and love for the game of rugby league. We offer a pathway for students in Years 4 to 6 to hone the rugby league skills of running, passing, catching, and tackling as well as their knowledge and understanding of space, game strategies and plays. Academy members are then invited to apply their skills and knowledge by participating in a number of Gala Days and competitions, such as the U12 Bill Nettle Challenge, U12 Les Stagg Trophy, Obe Geia Challenge, U10 Blackhawks Challenge and Interschool Sport. With the support of many sponsors students are supplied with training and playing apparel to really feel a part of a team that can build and develop together.
The Cathedral School Mountain Biking Academy
The Mountain Bike Academy provides students with a broad foundation in mountain bike riding skills for children from Prep to Year 6. The program increases riding skills, improves technique and provides students with the opportunity to develop to national level racing. Pre-season conditioning and fitness are also included in the program.
The Academy includes the following elements:
• Students complete a skills and conditioning program, aimed at learning and improving riding skills on a wide range of trails, obstacle courses, jump lines and flow tracks;
• Student focus shifts to formal instruction in safety and basic skills for beginners. The use of all recommended safety equipment is compulsory for Cathedral students participating in this part of the program;
• Students have the chance to ride a range of trails in and around Rockwheelers, Douglas including jumps trails and downhill trails, giving students a variety of terrain on which to finesse the skills learned over the season. Once they have completed the training program, participants can compete as part of the school team. The team compete across Queensland and Australia with our focus on team involvement, race safety and performing to the best of our individual ability.
The Cathedral School Football Academy
The Junior School Football (Soccer) Academy is open to students in Years 3-6. Mr Gareth Edds is the Coaching Director. Throughout his career, Gareth enjoyed international and national success, as well as coaching the youth teams. Developing a passion for coaching young players he gained his internationally recognised coaching qualifications and has completed his FFA A License. Gareth is a registered UEFA & FFA coach and in 2019 Football Qld appointed Gareth as Technical Director for North Queensland. Our Football Academy involves students training weekly and participating in at least one carnival throughout the school year. The Football Academy runs from Term 1 to Term 4 each year.
The Cathedral School Netball Academy
The Year 4-6 Netball Academy provides new and experienced netballers the opportunity to be active, develop their skills, build their character and make connections with others through a mutual enjoyment of the sport. Students who participate in Netball Academy attend a weekly training session through Terms 1-3, run by our highly skilled and enthusiastic coaches. Academy netballers also have the opportunity to represent the school in a number of carnivals within the region. The purpose of the Academy is to foster a love of netball and give students an opportunity to experience the game in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Academy members will learn and refine fundamental physical, technical and tactical netball skills using correct technique, whilst also developing important mental and behavioural skills required to thrive in a team sport and in life. Whether a student is highly skilled or just beginning their netball journey, they will be provided the opportunity to reach their potential in a disciplined and nurturing environment. The Academy challenges netballers to be their best and strive for excellence through their effort and commitment. However, although we always try our hardest to win, it is not the primary goal of Netball Academy. The focus is always on integrity, enjoyment and development, with winning just being a bonus that usually comes organically after we achieve these other goals.
ROBOTICS CLUBS
(AFTER SCHOOL & BREAK TIME)
Robotics Club gives students in Year 3 to Year 6 the opportunity to engineer and program robots to complete a variety of problem-solving challenges. Different robots are used to cater for the different ability levels of the students. Students beginning the club use Lego WeDo and focus on coding and problem solving. As students become more familiar with this process, they use the Lego SPIKE which requires the robots to be built from scratch to solve the problem they are presented with.
Our Robotics Club culminates in Term 4 when teams participate in the First Lego League Robotics Competition (Year 5-6 only). This diversity ensures that all students who participate are challenged and have something to offer their team on the day.
SUSTAINABLE GUARDIANS
(BREAK TIMES)
Sustainable Guardians is a group of students, led by our Environmental leader, that meet once a week. We work hard to make the Junior School as environmentally friendly as possible. Together we have increased our level of recycling by maintaining the Containers for Change, a can and bottle recycling system within our Junior School. We aim to continue this great initiative and continue to improve our schools sustainability. We have many hands-on experiences including craft, litter collection, and lagoon visits where students can get involved in helping and enjoy all things environmentally friendly. You are always welcome to join our happy team.
SALTIES
(AFTER SCHOOL)
Salties is a Ross River Anglican Church initiative, designed to help kids engage in God’s word in a fun and safe environment. All our leaders work in this ministry. The program is free and open to all children in Year 2 to Year 6. Salties meet during term time at the Sports Precinct.
GROWING IN GOD
(BEFORE SCHOOL)
Growing in God (affectionately known as GiG) is a Bible study group that meets once a week before school. Open to Year 5 and 6 students on a regular or casual basis, this group follows a devotional that incorporates a Bible reading, a short reflection with discussion and then closes with a prayer. The children are encouraged to revisit past themes and at the end of each term to see where they have found their hope and faith grow. The group is supported by the Junior School Assistant Chaplain.
JUNIOR ART CLUBS
(AFTER SCHOOL)
In Junior Art Club, students from Years 1 and 2 come together to get creative. Students explore a wide variety of techniques and materials including drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture. Sessions are hands-on and tailored for the early years with special emphasis placed upon sensory exploration, fine motor development and fun. We meet weekly, immediately after school.
Students from Years 3 to 6 have the opportunity to express their creative ideas and learn and practice artist techniques and skills. Students use and experience a wide range of art materials and cover a range of processes including drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and painting. Each session allows for teaching, exploration and making independent artworks to develop and showcase their ideas and skills. Each club operates weekly after school.
CHESS CLUB
(BREAK TIME)
Chess is truly a ‘sport for all’ and The Cathedral School’s Chess Club is an opportunity for students to learn and play the game of Chess in an informal and social setting. Chess has many educational benefits, developing children’s skills such as focus, discipline, concentration, spatial awareness and strategic thinking. And it’s fun to play. The Chess Club meets weekly during break times.
JAPANESE CLUB
(BREAK TIME)
As Japanese is taught in Years 3 to 6 in the Junior School, the Japanese Club aims to provide interested students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Japanese culture and language. Sensei develops children’s interest and curiosity through engaging Japanese-inspired activities. The club meets weekly during break times in the Japanese Room.
