L.O.T.E. (Japanese)

All students participate in weekly Japanese language classes. Initially students focus on oral language. Students listen to spoken language and start to learn how to say words and sentences in Japanese. Reading and writing are gradually introduced from the start of Year One.

Learning about Japanese culture, and other cultures students have connections with, is also central to the program. This includes participating in our annual Japanese Day, learning about different cultural celebrations and holidays, and examining the connections between language and culture.

An important part of the Japanese language program is the relationship with our sister school, Shinjo Elementary School, which was established in 2023. Older students have opportunities to exchange letters with and participate in live video exchanges with students at our sister school.

PERFORMING ARTS

Exciting, fun and engaging. The performing arts program at Murrumbeena Primary School embraces creativity, participation and fun. All students participate in a weekly performing arts lesson in our well-equipped Arts Hub. This dynamic and much-loved program provides students with experiences from a range of performing arts disciplines, including music, dance and drama. Students create, respond to, perform, and engage in music, drama, and dance practices that improve their skills, creativity, awareness, confidence, passion, and individuality.

Students have many opportunities to showcase their learning throughout the year at assemblies, unit shares and our wonderful school production. Every year, students participate in rehearsals and perform at Robert Blackwood Hall in an evening performance full of song and dance. Year 4 - 6 students present a Senior Production of a well-known musical, with Year 5 and 6 students invited to audition for principal cast roles. Recent productions include “Aladdin Jr” and “Shrek Jr”. Prep - Year 3 students perform in the Junior Showcase, which includes songs inspired by the senior production. All students shine on stage in their fabulous costumes, brilliant smiles and outstanding performances.

Students are also invited to participate in a variety of lunchtime extracurricular performing arts groups, including drama activities, singing and dancing performance groups, and instrumental ensembles. These groups perform at various school and community events, including assemblies, the Welcome Picnic, Harmony Day, Carnival, Christmas carols and art exhibitions. Year 6 students are also invited to join the Year 6 Arts Leadership team.

2023 Production - Shrek Junior the Musical

2022 Production - Aladdin Jr and Disney Showcase

VISUAL ARTS

All students participate in weekly Visual Arts lessons in our well-equipped Visual Arts room. The Visual Arts program aims to develop our student’s creativity, visual art skills and knowledge through a range of activities and projects that align with the PYP program.The students are given opportunities to explore a variety of materials, mediums and techniques in drawing, painting, collage, construction, modelling, printmaking and textiles. These diverse art projects develop a sense of artistic expression, individuality, passion and confidence within our students. 

Students are given the opportunity to participate in extension art programs throughout the school year that further extend their abilities. Senior and Junior students can join lunchtime art clubs where they can follow their artistic endeavours and support one another in their passion. The Year Six Student Arts Action Team engages in a variety of art projects that support both the school and the wider community. For example, the School Production, Art Exhibition, and community art projects. Student artwork is regularly displayed around the school to celebrate the artistic achievements of our students. 

2023 Art Exhibition

PHYSICAL AND SPORT EDUCATION

Murrumbeena Primary School has been highly commended for its Physical and Sport Education program. Each week, all children (Prep - Year 6) participate in regular Physical Education lessons conducted by the Physical Education specialist teacher. Students at Murrumbeena have  physical education lessons which are based on four pillars: Teamwork, Respect, Communication and Leadership.

These attributes are integrated into our lessons from foundation, forming through the grades to achieve long standing success for our students.

Murrumbeena Primary School has achieved considerable success in our Bentleigh District. Our strong and robust interhouse competitions such as Cross Country, Swimming and Athletic Carnivals aligned also with our summer and winter interschool competitions and specific gala days highlight this.

Students at Murrumbeena Primary School are given the opportunity to not only showcase their own attributes but also learn new skills and challenge themselves in different sports and environments.

S.T.E.M.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

New to our school in 2024, every Murrumbeena student will now participate in weekly STEM lessons as part of their specialist learning program. Students will build experience and skills for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, setting the base for their future success in a world which is rapidly developing and changing. Tapping into student’s natural curiosity for the world around them and their enthusiasm for hands-on learning, the STEM program fosters experimentation, problem-solving, creative ideas and group collaboration.

Within Science, students will explore the natural world through the lens of Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences. Technology experiences within the STEM program include a structured program of robotics from Foundation to Year 6, alongside experiencing coding and programming, communications systems and word processing across multiple ICT devices. Engineering allows students the chance to solve practical problems using design and construction thinking. The mathematical aspect of the STEM program allows students to apply their knowledge of geometry, measurement, pattern, number and operations to practical problem-solving tasks.

Swimming
As the school has an on-site indoor heated swimming pool, all children, Prep - 6 have access to an annual intensive swimming program. Students in Years 4 - 6 are eligible to try out for and compete in the local, zone and state swimming and diving championships. Instruction is modelled on The Royal Life Saving Society’s ‘Swim and Survive’ Program. Lessons are structured to take the children through the stages of water discovery, exploration, water safety and swimming techniques.