Educational Philosophy and Aims
All phases of schooling at St Dympna's are underpinned by Brisbane Catholic Education's Learning and Teaching Framework and The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019). The Alice Springs (Mparntwe-pronounced as 'M-ban-tua') Education Declaration sets the national vision for education for all Australians and notes two goals:
1. The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity.
2. All young Australians become:
- Confident and creative individuals
- Successful lifelong learners
- Active and informed members of the community
Curriculum design and delivery at St Dympna;s is grounded in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration and is mindful of
the declaration's goals. In alignment with the declaration, which promotes excellence and equity, we support students to achieve high
standards and provide structures and adjusted strategies that enable equitable learning experiences. This is achieved within a
faith-filled learning environment in which we are committed to supporting students to become confident and creative individuals,
successful lifelong learners and active and informed members of the community.
St Dympna’s is committed to providing the best learning and teaching opportunities for each of our students. The school is currently in the process of implementing the Australian Curriculum which has been designed and written for all Australian Schools. The Australian Curriculum develops curriculum for students from Prep to Year 10 and it sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. It describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth and active participation in the Australian community.
St Dympna’s has implemented the Australian Curriculum in the following subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography. We are also referencing the curriculum documents in The Arts, Health and Physical Education and Technologies in preparation for the final endorsement of these documents. Our Religious Education Program is based on the “Religious Education- Archdiocese of Brisbane” Curriculum.
Our learners are the focus of our School Curriculum which is based on the Learning Framework developed by Brisbane Catholic Education Centre. The community of St Dympna’s recognises each member of this community as a life-long learner. We believe that:
each student can learn and succeed
successful learning promotes even more successful learning;
schools create conditions that directly affect successful learning.
St Dympna’s School strives to ensure continuity of learning for each child in the school. This will be achieved through the provision of a sequential curriculum which is responsive to each child’s needs. Our learner–centred curriculum at St Dympna’s, is created and implemented to respond to the developmental needs, interests, learning styles and preferences of individual children across all year levels.
