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Our Junior School has approximately 210 girls, organised into single-stream classes from Little Doms (Mid-Year Transition) to Year 6. While our students enjoy access to many shared College facilities, the Junior School itself is thoughtfully situated in a quieter pocket of the campus, creating a welcoming and age-appropriate environment for our younger girls.
This dedicated setting provides space for them to play with confidence, explore with curiosity and create with imagination.
While it’s important that younger girls have spaces of their own, we also recognise the benefit of bringing our larger student community together. We hold many events, celebrations and outreach programs that involve all of our girls, from Little Doms through to Year 12.
Our Junior and Senior faculties work collaboratively to create a College that feels connected, but still recognises the different needs of our girls as they grow.
Key Beliefs
We hold some key beliefs that underpin our teaching and learning program here at the college.
- Students learn best when their school and home lives support one another.
- Every student should feel valued and have a safe and secure environment to learn in.
- Parents/guardians are expected to be involved in their daughter’s learning journey and emotional wellbeing.
- Staff should be skilled, well-informed, enthusiastic and positive role models for all students.
- Students, staff and parents/guardians should treat one another with respect and courtesy.
- We create learning environments that encourage students to take risks, develop independent learning and organisational skills, and achieve their potential.
Our Faith
Prayer is a vibrant daily ritual at St Dominic’s and integrated in many parts of school life. We also hold regular school and class masses, college-wide times of Stillness and Silence and other shared liturgies. These practices also extend outward, as we guide our girls to look beyond their own needs by helping others and taking part in Social Justice activities.
The teachings of our Religious Faith and Tradition are tied to our being a Catholic college. We strive to foster the knowledge and embodiment of Jesus’ teaching in our students. Our Dominican approach to the College motto of Truth extends to a love of learning and understanding, as we encourage our girls to seek truth in all things.
More formally, our Religious Education program is guided by Crossways, The Religious Education Framework for Catholic Schools, and the MITIOG Program (Made in The Image of God).
As a College, we work closely with the Rosary Parish, North Adelaide, to support the spiritual formation of our students through the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Our Staff
We are exceptionally proud of our Junior School staff, consisting of a team of skilled and passionate educators and support officers who inspire our students through their own love of learning. As a College, we prioritise their wellbeing and growth alongside that of our students.
All of our staff attend regular Professional Development sessions to ensure they are up to date with curriculum changes, as well as the latest practices and pedagogy in educational thinking.
Our Curriculum
We design our Junior School Curriculum to be accessible, challenging and engaging for our students.
The content is guided by the Australian Curriculum, but uniquely brought to life for our girls by a dedicated team of classroom teachers and support staff. Our students receive the encouragement they need in the areas that challenge them and the opportunity for extension in their areas of strength.
While all Learning Areas require special skills, our classroom teachers are well-equipped to teach across most subjects. We do however, have specialist Junior School teachers in the areas of Italian, Music, Physical Education and Resource-Based Learning.
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Arts comprises five subjects: Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts.
- Dance: Students use the body to communicate and express meaning through purposeful movement.
- Drama: Students create, perform and respond to drama as artists and audiences.
- Media Arts: Students use images, sound, text, interactive elements and technologies to creatively explore, produce and interpret stories about people, ideas and the world around them.
- Music: Students listen to, compose and perform music from a diverse range of styles, cultures, traditions and contexts.
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Through the study of English, students learn language, literature and literacy. Students apply their knowledge of English to engage with learning area content and to communicate effectively across all learning areas.
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Health and Physical Education enable students to develop skills, understanding and willingness to positively influence the health and wellbeing of themselves and their communities.
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Students are introduced to the disciplines of History and Geography from Reception, Civics and Citizenship from Year 3, and Economics and Business from Year 5.
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Languages give students the opportunity to engage in learning a language in addition to English. Reception to Year 5 students learn Italian. Year 6 students have one semester of Italian and one semester of French.
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Mathematics provides students with essential mathematical knowledge, skills, procedures and processes in number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability.
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Through Religious Education, students deepen their understanding of spirituality and faith traditions; developing an appreciation of its significance in their lives, so that they may be stewards of their faith in society.
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Science is a way of expanding students’ curiosity and willingness to explore, ask questions about and speculate on the changing world they live in. Students gain knowledge and understanding in biological, earth and space, physical and chemical sciences.
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Technologies comprises two subjects:
- Design and Technologies, in which students use design thinking and technologies to generate and produce designed solutions for authentic needs and opportunities.
- Digital Technologies, in which students use computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement digital solutions for authentic problems.
Inclusive Education
At St Dominic’s Priory College, we are committed to ensuring that every student is known, valued, and supported to reach her full potential.
Our Inclusive Education Teacher works collaboratively with College staff, parents and caregivers, CESA coaches, and Allied Health professionals to ensure appropriate structures, adjustments, and strategies are in place for each learner. This partnership approach allows us to respond thoughtfully to individual strengths and needs within a nurturing and high-expectation environment.
Support may include targeted intervention programs such as MiniLit or MacqLit, small-group learning support, and personalised 1:1 assistance for students who require additional support. At the same time, we are equally committed to extending students who are achieving beyond year-level expectations through enrichment opportunities that challenge and inspire deeper thinking.
At St Dominic’s, Inclusive Education means ensuring every girl is supported when she needs assistance, extended when she is ready for challenge, and encouraged to flourish in every dimension of her learning journey.