Learning
Learning at Kensington Public School is student-centred, inclusive and practical, with a strong commitment to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs, and our teachers engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with best practice.
Why Choose Us for Your Child’s Learning?
Strong Foundations
We focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in school and beyond. This helps them feel confident and prepared for the future.
High-quality Education
We offer a range of subjects to match what students enjoy and want to learn about. Our skilled teachers support every student to find what they love, do their best and succeed.
Inclusive and Personalised Learning
Our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs, interests and learning pace. We make sure every student feels confident and supported.
Extension Opportunities
Some students are ready for more challenges. We offer open-ended tasks, enrichment programs and support. We help all students to reach their full potential.
What Students Learn
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
At Kensington Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Wednesdays from 1:45pm until 2:45pm for all students K - 6.
The following SRE classes are offered at Kensington Public School:
Special Religious Education (SRE): Anglican SRE
Anglican Scripture introduces children to the Bible and the message of who Jesus is in a fun and enagaging way. Interactive classes are taught by trained SRE volunteers from St Martin's Anglican Church, Kensington. The high quality approved curriculum (Connect) allows children to explore matters of life and faith together. For more information about the curriculum scope and sequences, please visit the Christian Education website (Connect).
Special Religious Education (SRE): Catholic SRE
Catholic SRE is provided by the Catholic Diocese of Sydney, Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Kensington. Lessons include activities that are fun and inclusive for students, whilst also providing them with the opportunity to critically explore in depth their faith and to pray and reflect. For more informatio about the Catholic SRE, including the curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Greek Orthodox
SRE or Scripture, compliments the general education of Greek Orthodox children. Scripture classes focus on an Orthodox way of life and identity. The lessons include much more than Bible knowledge. They assist in developing the religious sense of each child. Children are shown how to pray, the importance of the Sacraments in our life and feasts of the Orthodox Church. For more information about the Greek Orthodox Curriculum and scope and sequence, please visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Jewish SRE
BJE provides a structured curriculum for students in Jewish ‘Scripture’ classes. Students are encouraged to feel positive about being Jewish and to identify with the Jewish community. They learn about Jewish holidays, values, synagogue basics, and Israel. Older children also explore ethical aspects of Judaism and explore some areas of Jewish history. Basic Jewish prayers are incorporated into each lesson. Where possible, lessons are also enriched with activities such as demonstration Sedarim for Pesach (Passover), hands-on experiences, craft activities, guest presenters and visits from Jewish youth groups. Please visit the Jewish SRE website.
Special Education in Ethics (SEE): Ethics
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. For more information about SEE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Primary Ethics website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Islam
Islamic SRE is provided by Islamic Council of NSW. For more information about Islamic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Islamic Council of NSW website.
Special Religious Education (SRE): Buddhist
The Buddhist Council of New South Wales is the peak body representing more than 120 Buddhist temples and societies. The Buddhist Council represents the Buddhist community to government, media and other religious faith groups and operates the largest and most comprehensive Buddhist SRE program. Each week, trained SRE teachers provide lessons that relate to the teachings and principles of Buddhism. The Buddhist Council’s SRE Program contains a syllabus that represents the core teachings of all Buddhist traditions and focuses on values and life skills. The following link provides information on the Buddhist SRE program.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.
We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.
Contact us to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.
Our Learning Approach
We use explicit teaching, which means we clearly communicate what students are learning, why it matters, and how to achieve it step by step. Lessons are intentionally designed with content and concepts broken down into manageable components to support knowledge acquisition and retention. Guided practice allows students to collaborate with modelled examples and scaffolds before moving to independent application tasks that consolidate understanding. This consistent, well-structured approach responds to student need and supports every learner to make sustained progress and build confidence.
Our teachers use clear, research-based practices so that every child knows what success looks like and how to get there.
Our explicit teaching practices include:
- Learning Objectives – clear statements that tell students what they are learning and why it matters.
- Success Criteria – simple guidelines that show students what quality work looks like and how to succeed.
- Effective Feedback – constructive information during and after tasks so students know what they are doing well and how to improve.
- Gradual Release of Responsibility (I do, We do, You do) – a step-by-step process where the teacher models, then works together with students, before students apply learning independently.
Our approach also includes:
- Real-world learning - authentic, hands-on experiences that connect classroom concepts to everyday life. Students might apply mathematics through budgeting for a class event, explore sustainability through school garden projects, or use persuasive writing to create campaigns that support local initiatives.
- Technology-rich learning - digital tools and creative platforms are integrated across subjects to develop problem-solving, communication, and critical-thinking skills essential for the future.
- Flexible and inclusive teaching - lessons are differentiated to ensure each child receives the right level of support and challenge, fostering both wellbeing and achievement.
- Building metacognitive skills - students are supported to think about how they learn. Through reflection, goal-setting, and self-assessment, they learn to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning progress. Teachers explicitly model these strategies, helping students develop independence, persistence, and a sense of ownership over their learning journey.
- Community connections – learning extends beyond the classroom through excursions, visiting experts, and partnerships with local organisations, helping students see how their learning contributes to the wider world.
Through these approaches, students learn to develop curiosity, collaboration, and confidence to apply their skills in different contexts.
Helping Students Progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals with each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making wellbeing part of everyday learning
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
"What I appreciate the most about Kensington Public School is how all teachers make learning so much fun with creative lessons and engaging activities.” — a parent of Kensington Public School
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