Specialist Programs
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
Guided by renowned food expert Stephanie Alexander, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program connects students to the joy of growing, cooking and eating fresh food, helping them develop healthy eating habits and a deep appreciation for where their food comes from.
At the heart of our program is the garden, where students grow a wide variety of plants including vegetables, herbs and even wheat. They are actively involved in every step of the process—from planting seeds and tending the garden, to harvesting crops and milling the wheat into flour. This flour is then used in the kitchen to make delicious dishes, giving students a hands-on connection to the food they prepare and enjoy. This unique link between the garden, the kitchen and the table is essential to our program, reinforcing the idea that food education goes beyond just cooking—it’s about understanding the whole process.
Our garden is also a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife. Students learn about the important role of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, in keeping the garden flourishing. They observe these creatures up close, gaining an understanding of how vital they are to the health of plants and the success of the garden. We also focus on the conservation of native plants, insects and animals, teaching children to respect and care for the environment through hands-on activities that foster a culture of environmental stewardship.
In addition to growing food, students gain valuable skills in soil management, composting, seed saving, and the safe use of gardening tools. Our garden classes promote teamwork, patience, and a sense of responsibility, as students work together to care for the garden throughout the year. The seasonal planting and harvesting cycle gives them a deeper understanding of the importance of fresh, healthy food, while also expanding their culinary knowledge as they learn to cook with the ingredients they’ve grown.
Our program is made possible through the support of parent volunteers and community members, who help maintain the garden and assist with the kitchen activities. This collaboration strengthens the connection between school, home and the wider community, ensuring that the program is a truly enriching experience for all involved.
At the end of each cooking session, students gather around the table to share the meals they’ve prepared together, celebrating the rewards of their hard work in the garden and the kitchen. This program is not only about food—it’s about building a lifelong love of learning, healthy eating and caring for the environment.
Physical Education
At Montmorency Primary School, our Physical Education (PE) program is dedicated to fostering a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and promoting the health and wellbeing of all students. Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, our comprehensive PE curriculum aims to develop students’ physical competencies, understanding of movement concepts and the confidence to participate in various physical activities.
Program Objectives:
- Skill Development: Students will acquire and refine fundamental movement skills, such as running, jumping, throwing and catching, which serve as the foundation for more complex physical activities.
- Physical Fitness: Regular participation in activities that enhance cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and overall fitness levels.
- Knowledge and Understanding: Education on the benefits of physical activity, principles of training and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Personal and Social Responsibility: Encouraging teamwork, fair play and respect for others through group activities and sports.
Embedding our school values of ‘Connection, Curiosity, Courage and Compassion’, our PE program encompasses weekly skill-based programs to provide students with a range of physical and sporting experiences as well as develop skills, knowledge and positive attitudes towards living a healthy lifestyle.
Performing Arts
Our Performing Arts program offers a vibrant and diverse curriculum that encompasses drama, dance and music. Through hands-on experiences, creative expression and collaborative projects, students explore their artistic abilities and find unique ways to express themselves. Whether they’re acting, dancing or playing an instrument, our program creates a supportive and inclusive space where every student has the opportunity to shine. A standout highlight is our biennial School Production, led by our Performing Arts teacher, where all students take part in bringing a performance to the live stage.
Japanese
Science
The MPS Science Program runs across all year levels and aims to foster students’ curiosity and understanding of the natural world. Key objectives include:
- Developing Scientific Inquiry Skills: Encouraging students to ask questions, predict outcomes, conduct experiments and collaborate effectively.
- Building Knowledge Across Scientific Disciplines: Providing a solid foundation in Biological, Chemical, Physical and Earth and Space Sciences.
- Promoting Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Engaging students in hands-on experiments and activities to enhance their creative and critical thinking abilities.
- Connecting Science to Real-World Contexts: Linking classroom activities to authentic experiences and sustainability initiatives to highlight the relevance of science in everyday life.
These objectives align with the Victorian Curriculum, which emphasises the development of scientific understanding, inquiry skills and the ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world situations.
By creating an engaging and supportive environment that values inquiry, critical thinking and hands-on learning, the program can foster a lasting interest and development of scientific skills in primary school students. Here are some of the ways students engage in science during lessons:
- Hands-On Experiments: Allowing students to engage in simple, fun and safe experiments. These hands-on activities help them apply scientific concepts, build skills and experience the process of inquiry.
- Real-Life Connections: Relating science concepts to everyday life, allowing them to see how science is relevant to things they already know, like nature, technology or the environment. For example, discussing how plants grow or how weather patterns work helps build connections to the world around them.
- Encouraging Curiosity: Creating an environment where asking questions is valued, and that curiosity is the key to discovering new things.
- Use of Technology: Integrating tools like educational apps, virtual experiments or interactive science websites helps to engage students in a dynamic way.
- Collaborative Learning: Science is often about teamwork and communication. Students regularly participate in group work, allowing collaboration, sharing ideas and learning from each other.
- Explore Different Branches of Science: Introduce students to various scientific fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science. Exposure to diverse areas can spark a broader interest in the subject.
- Inspiring Role Models: Exploring stories of scientists, past and present, to inspire students.
The recent building of our school pond is a true example of how our program operates. Students were involved in all aspects of the project from design, through to construction and planting. There were many learning opportunities along the way including environmental science and ecosystems, biology, water cycle and pH, sustainability and conservation and connecting to real world science. The result was creating something that will provide ongoing educational opportunities and hands-on learning experiences for years to come.
