At Kerry Street, our specialist programs enrich students’ learning and give them opportunities to explore creativity, movement, language and design through hands-on, engaging experiences. These programs sit alongside our inquiry approach and support the development of confident, capable and curious learners.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts at Kerry Street brings together drama, music, dance and performance to support creativity, confidence and collaboration. The program is led by our multi-talented classroom teacher Jacey Long, whose passion for the arts creates engaging and inclusive learning experiences for students.
Students from Years 1 – 6 explore voice, movement, rhythm and storytelling through structured lessons that encourage imagination and self-expression. Across the year, students share their learning through performances, assemblies and community events, building confidence as communicators and performers and celebrating their growth both on and off the stage.
Physical Education
Physical Education is a valued and intentional part of the Kerry Street program. Lessons are explicitly taught and thoughtfully planned by classroom teachers, supporting students to develop strong movement foundations, confidence and enjoyment of physical activity.
Our Physical Education program integrates fundamental movement skills within collaborative, game-based learning that emphasises inclusion, teamwork and fair play. We draw on approaches from BluEarth, supporting students to build skills through engaging and well-structured lessons.
Through the Sporting Schools grant, students also access a range of external coaches and sporting experiences. Over time, this has included basketball, soccer, rugby, volleyball, judo, swimming and bike riding, giving students exposure to a wide variety of movement experiences and sporting codes.
Languages
Learning another language is a key ingredient in creating well-rounded, enthusiastic learners. Our Italian language program, led by a specialist teacher, is offered from Year 1 through to Year 6 and focuses on communication, cultural understanding and engaging, practical use of language.
Language learning at Kerry Street includes activities such as drama, storytelling, role-play, cooking, speaking and listening — designed to make Italian exciting, meaningful and fun. Students also develop understanding of language conventions, which strengthens their English literacy, phonological awareness and comprehension skills. Research shows that early language learning supports cognitive capacities such as multi-tasking, problem-solving and critical thinking.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program encourages creativity, self-expression, and exploration, enabling students to engage with a variety of artistic mediums and techniques. From Pre-Primary through to Year 6, students participate in one hour of Visual Arts each week, where they are guided by our specialist teacher to develop their skills, imagination, and artistic voice.
Students experiment with a range of artistic practices including:
- drawing and painting
- sculpture and printmaking
- digital arts and mixed media
Through hands-on creation and reflection, students learn to express ideas visually, develop problem-solving thinking, build fine-motor skills, and deepen their appreciation for artistic practices. The Visual Arts program also supports students’ social and emotional development by providing a safe space to explore identity, culture and personal meaning.
Makerspace
Our Makerspace is a dedicated space for hands-on making, designing and problem-solving. Students imagine, prototype and build using a wide range of materials, hand tools and powered tools, learning to work safely, responsibly and creatively.
The Makerspace was developed through staff professional learning with Educated by Nature, followed by multiple sessions with Kaarla Mia. These students played a key role in setting up the space, establishing expectations and teaching others how to use the area respectfully and safely. The space continues to be supported by a regular volunteer, allowing students ongoing access to tools, materials and guidance.
Working with real tools provides students with valuable opportunities to take considered risks, develop problem-solving skills and build confidence in their own capabilities. Through making, students learn to plan, test ideas, adapt when things don’t work and persist through challenge — skills that transfer directly to learning, wellbeing and life beyond school.
