Learning at Summit Point
The child is the starting point, the centre, and the end. The dynamic interaction between their growth and challenge is our focus. While Literacy and Language-based development is central to our curriculum, we offer a comprehensive educational program.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
At Summit Point, we know that the relationship between assessment, teaching and learning is dynamic and interactive.
The act of gathering, analysing and using assessment information is integral to our teaching and learning process, as with valid, continuously diagnostic assessment information, our teachers can be certain that your child has mastered what they have been taught.
To that end, Summit Point has developed its own research-based assessment matrices for mastery, and we provide regular and valid feedback on your child’s progress and achievement.
SCIENCE
Most scientific experiments do not require test tubes.
Remember how sugar and baking soda fizz to make hokey pokey? Science can (and should) use everyday items and simple resources. Many SLD kids have a real passion and talent in Science - think Thomas Edison (electricity) Jack Robert Horner (dinosaurs) and Galileo Galilei (astronomy). From germinating seeds and measuring plant growth, to making rockets, to testing pH in soil, our kids get REAL Science, where they play with scientific ideas and build confidence in their ability to think and practise scientifically.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
“It is always good to explore the stuff you don’t know about or agree with, to try and understand a different lifestyle of worldview. I like to be challenged in that way…”
Through Social Inquiry in History, Geography and Economics, our kids get to ask questions, gather information and examine the background to important societal concepts, ideas and events. They go deep...and wide...understanding at increasingly complex levels. And at all levels, our kids think adventurously and grow confident when they share and debate their ideas and opinions.
Consider our concept of ‘Man vs ‘Machine.’
By looking at current human, environmental or wildlife issues, our kids used research and personal ideas to create (or adapt) a robotic device or system to combat an identified problem. And the results? From examining ‘random’ ideas like shark finning, deafness and workplace safety, they made toys, Mindstorm robots, and crazy inventions that were amazing! And they developed a more informed ‘Worldview.’
ARTS
"I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."
The realisation of our creative potential always depends on how we understand and use our creativity. Sketching, collage, printmaking, sculpture, photography and paint... all parts of an artist’s tool box, and a tool box Summit kids take time to explore.
Starting with the ‘big idea’ that drives each term, like ‘Regeneration,’ students first off examine visual artists and designers who have trodden new creative paths, like Aideen Barry’s multimedia cross-layers of soil, and Lucille Clerc’s wondrous illustrations of nature, or Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s hilarious fruit and vegetable montages!
Starting as a whole class, students learn vital techniques from our expert art teacher and visiting artists, and then break into groups or work alone to dive into their imagination. As they receive increasingly detailed instruction, their ability to express ideas and understanding becomes more ingenious and innovative.
It takes time to explore and learn the range of diverse skills and language in the Arts. We give these subjects equal time to ensure progress is made and students can meaningfully investigate the capabilities of each medium.
Testimonials
"We were desperate to help our son’s self-esteem and confidence. Enrolling him at Summit Point restored his belief in himself."
"Being encouraged to demonstrate his knowledge using educational technology has helped remove barriers to my child’s learning and made him less anxious about tests and assessment."
"The teachers at Summit Point go above and beyond to nurture the different learning styles of students."
"Rebecca supported us to understand our child’s strengths and challenges and find a way to foster his love of learning."
"We have been working with Summit for almost a term and my word, our daughter has come a long way since she started at the school."
"It’s a hard decision sending your child to a ‘special’ school, but now we’re out the other side, we realise how much our daughter needed the attention and environment that Summit Point offers."
"Her time at Summit gave our daughter the space and time to learn at her own pace, be recognised for her talents and participate in the running of the school."
"Graduating from Summit, our child is a confident learner and has a range of strategies which have helped her transition to high school."