News
6 November 2025
Our Junior School is a warm and inclusive community where every child is valued, respected and supported.
At Fintona Girls’ School, learning thrives in a safe, caring environment where students feel confident enough to explore, discover, and grow. Our dedicated teachers nurture curiosity and a love of learning, encouraging each child to reach their full potential.
We celebrate diversity and foster strong relationships, ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging. Through engaging experiences and a supportive atmosphere, we empower children to develop academically, socially and emotionally.
Together, we create a school where everyone is welcomed, encouraged and inspired to learn.
Learn more about Junior School on a tour with our staff and students.
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Curriculum
In Junior School, girls develop their thinking, communication, research, social skills and self-management.
Literacy and numeracy skills are vital during these early years, and our small class sizes enable teachers to address the needs of each student.
Each class visits the Resource Centre regularly for literature and research-based activities, and our specialist program introduces girls to new experiences in Art, Drama, French, Library, Music, Outdoor Education, Digital Technology and Physical Education.
Fintona’s literacy program follows the Australian Curriculum with a strong foundation in the Science of Reading to develop confident, capable readers.
In the early years, evidence-based approaches, including systematic phonics instruction and decodable texts, are implemented to support early reading success. By Year 3 and Year 4, students transition to reading a variety of genres with fluency and comprehension, fostering a love of literature.
Writing development is integrated across all year levels, focusing on spelling, grammar and creative expression to support confident communication. We aim to create skilled, engaged readers and writers who enjoy learning and communicating effectively.
Fintona’s mathematics program aligns with the Australian Curriculum, emphasising problem solving and real-world applications. Using concrete materials, interactive lessons and mathematical investigations, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Strong numeracy foundations are established through structured lessons, using various resources and focused assessments. Fintona strives to make mathematics engaging and relevant, empowering students with essential problem solving skills for lifelong success.
Students receive hands-on, inquiry-based learning in biological, chemical, earth and space and physical sciences. Curiosity and critical thinking are fostered through engaging lessons, experiments, and interactive activities.
We aim to make science exciting, relevant and accessible for all students, preparing them for a future of discovery.
The humanities program is designed to guide students to develop a strong understanding of history, geography, civics and economics. Students investigate diverse cultures, significant historical events and global connections, nurturing curiosity and critical thinking.
Engaging lessons and activities encourage students to question, analyse and form informed perspectives. Fintona students are inspired to be responsible, active citizens who appreciate the world around them and recognise their role in shaping the future.
Art classes in the Junior School encourage students to be creative and original. Students are introduced to a wide variety of materials and methods of working. Different ways to express themselves are explored and students are encouraged to share ideas and look at the work of professional artists.
Drama in Junior School enriches students’ imaginations and nurtures creativity and empathy, fostering the growth of each student. Our Drama program builds collaborative skills, self-esteem and confidence while cultivating a love of learning through the performing arts.
In Drama, students create, perform and respond to drama as artists and audiences. They learn to use, manage and manipulate the elements and conventions of drama across a range of dramatic forms and styles. Students learn in, through and about drama as they create dramatic action and communicate dramatic meaning.
In the Junior School, French begins in Prep and continues into the Middle School. A love of language is fostered along with cultural awareness. Lessons engage and focus on developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through interactive, immersive activities.
In the Resource Centre, library lessons focus on developing a lifelong love of reading through exposure to a wide range of children’s literature. Essential research skills are taught, empowering students to become independent learners. Students effectively locate, evaluate and use various resources to support their learning. Through guided exploration, critical thinking and information literacy skills are developed.
Junior School Music at Fintona seeks to immerse the students in the magic of music. Within a Kodaly and Orff-based curriculum, students explore engaging culturally diverse music from First Nations Australian music to the traditional music of West Africa. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of performance and music literacy skills within multiple learning settings including weekly music classroom, choir and string orchestra lessons.
Above all, students experience the joy of creating music in a supportive community that encourages creative exploration.
Digital technology is integrated across all curriculum areas to enhance learning, develop essential digital skills and prepare students for the future.
Students learn coding, digital literacy and responsible online behaviour. By embedding digital technology into all subject areas, we empower our students with the skills they need to thrive in a technology driven world.
Physical Education promotes physical fitness, teamwork and overall well-being. Students are encouraged to develop essential movement skills, build confidence and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Throughout Junior School, they develop fundamental motor skills through individual and team sports.
By fostering a love for physical activity, students develop lifelong healthy habits and an appreciation for sport and movement.
Co-curriculum
The experience of Junior School goes beyond the classroom. Girls take part in a wide variety of co-curricular activities that develop new skills and enhance abilities.
The Outdoor Education program in Junior School begins with an overnight experience at Lady Northcote in Glenmore during Year 1, followed by one night away during Year 2 at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza. Students in Years 3 and 4 spend two nights at Sunnystones in Bacchus Marsh and Gundiwindi at Wandin Yallock in alternating years.
Weekly chess classes are offered to all students from Years 1 to 4.
The girls compete for an annual House Cup in athletics, swimming, trivia and cross country. In addition, the Chandler Spirit Cup is awarded annually to the house team, which has best demonstrated values of teamwork, enthusiasm and team spirit.
Girls in Junior School are placed in one of three houses named after significant old Fintonians: Bedggood (Dame Beryl Beaurepaire), Menzies (Dame Patty Menzies) and Reid (Mrs Margaret Ross).
The girls compete for an annual House Cup in athletics, swimming, trivia and cross country. In addition, the Chandler Spirit Cup is awarded annually to the house team, which has best demonstrated values of teamwork, enthusiasm and team spirit.
All students from Prep to Year 4 participate in swimming lessons, conducted by qualified swimming coaches. The focus is on correct stroke technique and water safety. The Year 4 students can be selected to represent Fintona Girls’ School at the School Sport Victoria competition in Term 1.
Dance Fitness Victoria offers fun ballet and jazz classes at Fintona during lunchtime and after school. Students learn individual open work, choreography, group work and performance preparation. Prep to Year 2 focuses on ballet and jazz, then jazz and contemporary dance from Years 3 to 4.
Fintona has partnered with Girl Guides for over 100 years. For those students participating after school each week they will learn skills, such as cooking or coding, helping out in the community, and taking on new challenges from sport to outdoor adventure.
Fintona’s music program runs in the classroom from ELC through to VCE, alongside a host of co-curricular opportunities. In Junior School, these include private tuition, Junior School Choir and Mitiamo String Orchestra.
Student Development
A culture of belonging and inclusivity is fostered in the Junior School. All Fintona teaching staff, including our school counsellor, provide confidential and individual support alongside programs designed to develop resilience.
The Grow Your Mind Program is an engaging and researched-backed program that teaches students how to understand and care for their mental health, just as they do their physical health. Through storytelling, games and creative activities, children learn essential skills for managing emotions, building relationships, and developing a growth mindset. By teaching students practical strategies to look after their mental well being, Grow Your Mind helps them thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
The House System, Tutor Group, Buddy Programs, Transition Programs and Learning Enrichment and Support are formal programs designed to ensure every Fintona student can feel at home and thrive in a supportive, respectful and caring environment.
