Welcome to the Junior School

Foundation to Year 6

At Encounter Lutheran College, our Junior School is a vibrant and nurturing learning environment, where curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning are at the heart of all we do. 

Our staff are committed to providing a caring, engaging, and fun learning environment where each child feels valued, supported, and cared for.

At Encounter, our passionate and dedicated teaching team work collaboratively across year levels to ensure students enjoy rich, meaningful learning experiences. The Australian Curriculum provides a solid foundation, which is enriched and expanded through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). This globally recognised, inquiry-based framework empowers students to explore big ideas, ask meaningful questions, and engage deeply with their learning. Across all year levels, we nurture curious, open-minded thinkers who confidently investigate the world around them and appreciate diverse perspectives—laying the foundation for being active, contributing citizens of our world.

For us, education is a journey of the head, heart, and hands which is why we prioritise the social, emotional, and spiritual development of every student, offering a safe and supportive environment where well-being is central to all we do. Strong partnerships with parents and carers help us better support each child on their unique learning journey.

Being part of the Junior School at Encounter is more than what you see or do—it’s about how you feel. Here, every child belongs, is encouraged to flourish, and is supported to become the very best version of themselves.

We invite you to be part of a Junior School community where curiosity, care, and connection flourish.

Tori Weiss | Head of Junior School

IT in the Junior School

Digital technologies play a vital role in learning and sharing across our Junior School. From Early Learning to Year 6, every student has access to their own school-managed iPad, equipping them with the essential skills and capabilities outlined in the Australian Curriculum. Through explicit teaching, students learn to use a range of apps and tools safely, responsibly, and effectively.

Our approach integrates technology into rich learning experiences, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. By embedding digital tools within meaningful, inquiry-based learning, we empower students to become confident and capable users of technology in a rapidly evolving world.

Inclusive Learning

The Encounter Lutheran College ‘Inclusive Learning’ team aims to meet the unique learning needs of those students who require individualised education programs. They may have specific learning disabilities, temporary or long standing problems with certain subjects. Adaptive Education staff function as the conduit between teachers and home; curriculum, teaching strategies, assessment procedures, reporting and timetable structures can be adjusted to suit the individual’s needs.

Students can access:

• In class 1:1 or small group support
• Assistive technology and programs
• Withdrawal support, on a needs basis, which includes students being involved in literacy, numeracy and social enrichment focus classes.

Students with additional or specific needs are provided for on an ‘as advised or recommended’ basis. Our teachers and support team are trained to meet the needs of students and work closely with a range of para-professionals in implementing speech, fine and gross motor skills, behaviour, social and learning intervention and support programs.

Close monitoring of student progress while maintaining an open and positive relationship with parents and carers is our priority.

Outdoor Education

Camps are a compulsory and integral part of our curriculum at Encounter Lutheran College, providing students with unique opportunities to learn and grow in alternative settings. These experiences are designed to enhance both educational and social development by allowing students to engage with the curriculum in real-world environments.

The camp experience promotes teamwork, resilience, and leadership as students participate in group activities, face new challenges, and develop problem-solving skills. It encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, build self-confidence, and deepen their connections with peers and teachers.

In addition to academic growth, camps help students develop essential life skills such as independence, communication, and responsibility. They also provide a space for creativity, adventure, and fun, all while promoting a strong sense of community. Through these immersive experiences, students learn to appreciate the world around them, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and develop a sense of responsibility toward others and the environment.

International Baccalaureate – Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) is an internationally recognised framework for learning that helps children develop the skills, attitudes, and knowledge they need to become lifelong learners. At its core, the PYP focuses on inquiry-based learning, where students actively explore questions, solve problems, and make connections between different subjects.

Rather than just memorising facts, the PYP encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and engage with the world around them. The program places a strong emphasis on developing curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking—skills that are essential for success both in school and in real life. 

Key aspects of the PYP include:

• Inquiry-based Learning: Students learn through exploration and investigation, developing a deeper understanding of the world.
• International Mindedness: The PYP inspires students to recognise and value diverse cultures, viewpoints, and ideas, fostering a sense of responsibility and engagement with the world around them.
• Holistic Development: The program nurtures not just academic growth, but also emotional, social, and physical development, helping students become well-rounded individuals.
• Transdisciplinary Themes: The PYP uses six broad themes, such as “Who We Are” and “How the World Works,” to connect learning in a way that ‘transcends’ traditional subject areas, making learning more relevant and meaningful.
• Approaches to Learning (ATL): Students develop essential thinking, research, communication, social, and self-management skills.
• PYP Exhibition: In the final year, students undertake a collaborative, in-depth inquiry project, demonstrating their learning journey.

The PYP aims to empower students to think critically, act thoughtfully, and become compassionate individuals who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. By encouraging action on real-world problems, students are not only learning about the world—they are learning how they can make a difference within it.