Specialist
Subjects

Visual Arts

Visual Arts lessons are taught by a specialist teacher in our wonderful art room. In Art, students develop their skills while exploring a range of art disciplines such as paint, clay, construction, modelling, drawing, printing and textiles. They learn about the elements of art (colour, line, shape, texture, space and form) and the different art genres (eg portraits, landscapes, still life). Students respond to contemporary and historical artworks and create art inspired by artists from around the world, including First Nations People. Art provides a valuable opportunity for students to express themselves creatively, to explore new techniques and materials and to learn about the world through art.

Performing Arts

At Malvern Valley Primary School, Performing Arts provides students with the opportunity to express themselves, build confidence, and develop creativity. Through Drama, Dance and Music, students explore performance skills in structured, engaging and age‑appropriate ways.

Junior Years

Drama: In the Junior Drama program, students learn to use facial expressions, body movement and emotion to communicate meaning. They experiment with movement by exploring how different animals behave, and they practise using a range of expressive voices. Puppets, costumes and imaginative play support students in developing characters and creating simple stories.

Music: Music in the Junior Years focuses on foundational skills such as singing, keeping a steady beat and playing percussion instruments including tambourines, triangles and drums. Students explore contrasts such as loud/soft and high/low, and they enjoy opportunities to sing using microphones to build confidence and vocal awareness.

Dance: The Junior Dance Curriculum introduces students to a variety of dance styles from around the world. They learn to move their bodies safely and creatively, exploring shapes, pathways and rhythm. The bi‑annual musical and annual concert provide valuable opportunities for students to learn, rehearse and perform a class dance on stage.

Senior Years

Drama: In the Senior Drama Curriculum, students develop a deeper understanding of the elements of drama, including character, voice, body, place, mood and tension. They analyse examples of drama from the community and discuss how performers communicate ideas. Students create original characters, use movement purposefully, and have opportunities to write and perform their own plays and monologues.

Music: In the Senior Years, students begin working with the Elements of Music, including pitch, beat, rhythm, volume and tempo. They learn to identify and categorise instruments of the orchestra and develop their skills using tuned percussion such as glockenspiels and xylophones. Students explore musical scales, practise simple stick notation, and compose short musical pieces of their own.

Dance: In the Senior Years, students work with the elements of dance and develop their ability to learn and remember choreography. They explore more complex movement sequences and build confidence through performance. Students also have opportunities to choreograph their own dances, encouraging creativity, teamwork and self‑expression.

Health and Physical Education

At Malvern Valley Primary School, PE is all about getting active, having fun and building the confidence to give everything a go. Our program helps students discover the joy of movement while developing the skills they need to stay healthy and active for life.

Junior Years

In the junior years, we focus on building fundamental movement skills, learning to work cooperatively, and developing confidence and resilience.

Fundamental Movement Skills: Students practise running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking and striking through fun games and activities that keep them moving and smiling.

Teamwork and Co‑operation: Students learn to communicate, encourage others and celebrate shared success in relays, partner work and team games.

Confidence and Resilience: We support students to try new things, take safe risks and persist through challenges, helping them grow both confidence and resilience.

Senior Years

In the senior years, students explore health and wellbeing, develop game sense and strategy, and learn the importance of being inclusive.

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds: Students learn why being active matters and how healthy choices help them feel their best.

Sport Education and Game Sense: Students explore a range of sports, learning rules, strategies, fair play and good sportsmanship.

Everyone Gets Involved: Our inclusive program ensures every student can participate, succeed and enjoy being active, no matter their skill level.

Creating a Positive, Active School Culture

We want every child at MVPS to feel excited about moving their body and being part of an active community. Through engaging lessons, positive encouragement and plenty of opportunities to play and learn, our PE program helps students build skills, friendships and a lifelong love of physical activity.

Greek (LOTE)

Greek is one of the oldest documented languages in the world. It shaped the development of many modern languages, including English. The impact and importance of the Greek language can be seen in many key learning areas – mathematics, science, medicine, technology, politics, philosophy and international business to name a few. With such a rich history, and wide-reaching modern influence, we are very proud of our Greek program at Malvern Valley Primary School.

The Modern Greek curriculum introduces students to Greek language and culture. We focus not only on building communication skills and understanding of Greek culture, but also developing intercultural understanding. This involves sharing about our own cultures and developing the ability to recognise, respect, and appreciate cultural diversity and different perspectives.

Junior Years

In the junior years, students are introduced to the sounds, letters and basic structures of Greek. They explore Greek cultural traditions and celebrations.

Greek Language

•       Students use greetings, gestures, simple words, questions and statements.
•       They learn the names, sounds and symbols of the Greek alphabet.
•       They make connections between Greek and English.

Greek Culture

•       Students explore cultural symbols, traditions associated with Greek holidays and festivals and the influence of Greek in Australia and around the world.

Senior Years

In the senior school, students extend their ability to communicate in Greek while exploring the relationship between language, culture and identity.

Greek Language

•       Students build their vocabulary to discuss routines, interests and experiences.
•       They explore the grammar, features and structure of Greek and make connections with the etymology of English words.
•       They respond to and create Greek texts.

Greek Culture

•       Students compare and expand their understanding of Greek, Australian and other cultural symbols, practices and traditions.
•       They explore stories and accomplishments from Ancient Greece and their impact on our modern world.

Library

All children are involved in the library program, which covers both literature, and research skills. Children are encouraged to borrow material. When borrowing these materials, children have a responsibility for the care of them and for returning them on time.

We regularly use the Phoenix Park library so we encourage all children to be registered at the library by their parents. The teachers take the children over the library each week and they are able to borrow using their card.

We also have a library which the children use with their class and it is open two days a week at lunch. Students are welcome to visit during these times to browse and borrow. Borrowing is generally for a fortnight except over the holiday period.