Students at St Damian’s are fortunate to participate in a vibrant Specialist Program, with weekly classes in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Music, Physical Education, and STEM. These classes take place in dedicated, purpose-built spaces designed to enrich student learning and engagement.

 

Physical Education 

At St Damian’s, our Physical Education (PE) program is a vital part of our students’ holistic development. We are committed to fostering a lifelong love of physical activity, promoting health and wellbeing, and nurturing teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.

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Our PE curriculum is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for all year levels. Students participate in a wide range of activities that build fundamental movement skills, encourage fair play, and develop confidence in a supportive environment. From athletics and team sports to fitness and cooperative games, the program aims to cater to diverse interests and abilities.

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Key features of our program include:

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• Skill Development: Emphasis on coordination, balance, and agility through age-appropriate skill-building exercises.

• Health & Wellbeing: Education around physical fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices.

• Teamwork & Sportsmanship: Opportunities to learn collaboration, respect, and leadership through structured team activities.

• Participation in Inter School Sports: students have opportunities to represent the school in district competitions and sports events.

• Special Events & Programs: Including athletics carnivals, cross-country, swimming, and incursions that promote physical activity.

 

Visual Art

 

At St Damian’s, our Visual Art program offers students a rich and inspiring creative journey. Through exploration of various artists, both past and contemporary, students gain an understanding of different styles, techniques, and cultural perspectives. They work with a wide variety of materials and mediums—from drawing and painting to sculpture and mixed media—encouraging experimentation and self-expression. Foundational art skills are taught progressively, building confidence and capability in each child. Every second year, students have the exciting opportunity to showcase their creativity in our school-wide Arts Show, a much-loved event that celebrates the talents of our young artists and brings the school community together in appreciation of the arts.

 

Performing Arts

At St Damian’s, our Performing Arts program offers students a dynamic and engaging opportunity to explore their creativity, build confidence, and express themselves in a supportive environment. The program encompasses a wide range of disciplines including drama, dance, film-making, puppetry, and mime, allowing students to discover and develop their individual talents.

Through hands-on experiences and collaborative projects, students learn the art of performance while gaining essential skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Whether they are choreographing a dance, creating short films, bringing characters to life through puppetry, or exploring the subtlety of mime, students are encouraged to take creative risks and celebrate their unique artistic voices.

 

Music

At St Damian’s, our Music Program is a vibrant and engaging part of school life where students have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of musical styles and genres while developing essential listening and performance skills.

Our program includes hands-on experience with a range of musical instruments, encouraging experimentation and self-expression. Students learn about rhythm, melody, harmony, and musical notation through interactive and collaborative activities.

A highlight of the program is our School Choir, which welcomes students to sing together, perform at school events, and represent our school in the wider community.

 

STEM

At St Damian’s School, our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program is designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in every student. We are committed to providing a dynamic and hands-on learning environment where students from all year levels can explore real-world problems, engage with innovative technologies, and develop the essential skills needed for the future.

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Through integrated learning experiences, students engage in inquiry-based projects, collaborative challenges, and the practical application of concepts across disciplines. Our program emphasizes design thinking, digital literacy, and scientific exploration, fostering a mindset of innovation and resilience. From coding and robotics to environmental science and engineering design, our STEM curriculum is inclusive, adaptable, and aligned with contemporary educational standards.

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Italian
At St Damian’s, our approach to gaining a second language is grounded in an immersion model, where teachers teach Italian daily and the students engage with the Italian language through practical, functional communication. The focus is on building confidence and fluency by using Italian in meaningful, everyday contexts. Our program is further enriched by the support of a native-speaking Language Assistant, who works closely with classroom teachers to plan and deliver engaging and authentic learning experiences. We celebrate Italian Day with Italian activities, cultural dress ups and Italian food for lunch.