After School Care Program Canteen GPS Water Parents and Carers Association Programs Scholastic Bookclub School Board Uniform Shop

Programs and Extra Curricular Activities:

  • Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) classes (Years 1-6)
  • Student Representative Council (K-6)
  • Maths Olympiad
  • Tournament of the Minds
  • Swimming lessons (K-2)
  • Band Program for Year 5/6
  • Recorder Program for Years 2-6
  • Special focus days to highlight key learning areas, e.g. Harmony Day, Numeracy and Literacy Days 
  • Sun Smart school
  • Sustainable school
  • Health promoting school
  • Annual School Concert
  • Outdoor education and overnight year level camps from Year 3-6.
  • Visiting sport clinics/programs including Gymnastics, AFL, Rugnet, Soccer, Cricket and Dance.
  • Choir
  • Chess
  • Kids on Keyboard
  • Piano Tuition

SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS

Garran has a wonderful reputation. It is known for its academic excellence and innovation. Provision is made for all students, encompassing a whole range of teaching methods and catering for all learning styles. In this way, all students have access to the best possible education that Garran can provide with the resources that are available. 

LEARNER SUPPORT UNIT (LSU)

Garran Learner Support Unit caters for the individual needs of students with an intellectual disability.

Garran runs an academic program that develops the strengths of individual students and builds upon their current level of achievement.

One of the main aims of the LSU is to integrate students into mainstream classes. Integration occurs throughout the week including Library, Sport, Art as well as excursions, swimming programs, assemblies and on an individually negotiated basis.

LEARNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Garran has a commitment to providing the best educational program for each of its students. This includes provision of additional support for students experiencing difficulties in achieving their optimum, particularly in Literacy and Numeracy.

Assistance is provided through in-class support, withdrawal for small group work and, in some instances, through individual support. Students requiring assistance are referred to the school's Special Needs Team by class teachers and/or parents. While assistance is available for students in Kindergarten to Year 6, an emphasis is placed on early intervention.

Garran has an Intensive Reading Program for students in Years 5 and 6. This involves daily individual assistance for students experiencing difficulties in reading, writing and spelling and has much in common with the Reading Recovery program. 

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

Garran has over thirty nationalities represented in its student population. These children from diverse cultural backgrounds, enrich the student body and help to make Garran a special place.

Most of these students come from a language background other than English. They are supported in their classroom endeavours by an ESL teacher who works closely with the classroom teacher. Children are assisted in different ways depending on their needs. Sometimes they are withdrawn from the classroom to work individually or in small groups with the ESL teacher. At other times, the ESL teacher works with the class teacher in the mainstream classroom. ESL support is also provided for homework and research tasks and for excursions outside the school.

ACCELERATED LEARNING PROGRAM (ALP)

Aims

The Accelerated Learning Programs aims to provide:

• A differentiated curriculum which allows students to work to potential at their appropriate levels;
• Opportunities to develop special interest areas in depth through activities such as field trips and visiting experts;
• Independent learning on an individual basis;
• Limited repetitious work;
• A stimulating environment where students with similar interests and learning styles may accept challenges with enthusiasm; and
• Freedom of choice.

Student Identification

This is a comprehensive process requiring several months of preparation time to administer the testing procedures required to identify candidates for the program. The process begins in Term 3 so that enough time may be devoted to the administration of tests and identification procedures: 

• Students are nominated by parents and/or teachers and are administered Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests;
• These results are compiled by the Deputy Principal;
• A committee comprising of the Deputy Principal, teaching staff and counsellor/specialists use results from tests such as PIPS and NAPLAN  to find suitable candidates for the program;
• All placements are annually reviewed.

The program's success may be attributed to:

• The identification process which ensures that students are suitable candidates;
• Highly skilled and experienced teachers;
• A supportive community;
• Curriculum differentiation;
• The school's continuing focus on achieving academic excellence as well as social, emotional, physical, cultural and artistic growth;
• The school's academic profile in the ACT as well as interstate

Gifted and Talented Policy pdfsmall (161kb)