The Digital Design program at Caulfeild Elementary School gives the students in Grade 4-7 the opportunity to use technology to explore new platforms to expand their creativity and design skills. Throughout the year, each class attends the Digital Fine Arts for one 50 minute class per week. The Grades 4-7 use their own personal devices that they bring to school.

Digital Design is the integration of technology into the Fine Arts and ADST curriculum. The “creative” process is the key to the success of the class and the use of technology assists this process. Collaboration with classroom teachers is an important component to create a connection between the classroom and the Digital Design classroom. Programs and websites that are accessible to all students, no matter the device, are taken into account when projects are assigned.

Photography, movie creation, Claymation, visual arts, info graphics, learning about various artists and finding ways to connect with community and school events plus many more are only some of the things that could be explored during the Digital Design class. Scaffolding knowledge learned from year to year will help the Digital Design course to further develop and grow.

Classroom Music

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education.” Plato

Music education enables all learners to explore, create and communicate thoughts, images and feelings through music. It enables students to interact with sound through creating, performing, listening to and responding to music. Music offers one of the most effective ways of connecting thinking and feeling.

The music program at Caulfield aims to develop a love and appreciation of music across all grade levels. From singing action songs in Primary to playing guitar in Intermediate, students learn that music has a powerful impact on our lives. Where possible, music will be linked to units of inquiry that students are working on in their classes. The areas of listening, creating and performing are covered through a wide range of styles of music and activities. Musical performances are an integral part of Caulfield School and all students will have performance opportunities throughout the year. Students also have the opportunity to join Primary or Intermediate Choir.

Band Program:

The Benefits of Band:
You do not have to know anything about music to be successful in Elementary Band. As a matter of fact, no prior musical experience is necessary. The only things necessary for success in band are a desire to work hard, be a team player, and the courage to try new things… and of course to have fun making music!

Costs:

1. This voluntary course costs $390/year plus the cost of renting an instrument (which is usually around $120-$150/year).
2. Please know that there financial assistance is available; please confidentially contact the school principal.

Time:

1. Students will have two rehearsals/week, one in the morning from approximately 8 to 8:45 a.m. and one within the timetable. Grade 6/7 teachers fully support the band program and do their best to ensure that disruption to the curriculum is kept to a minimum. It is vital that all students show up for all rehearsals prepared to play (i.e. with instruments, music and pencils). Part of their grade will be based on rehearsal attendance.
2. Learning an instrument requires daily practicing. Students will have to be committed to regular practicing, at least 60 minutes per week. This is important not just for individual progress but also for the progress of the whole band.

We encourage every student to be involved in the school’s active living and sports program.

What sports can I play at Elementary School? Extra-curricular Sports in elementary school are inclusive – this means that if you show up for a team and follow expectations, you can play. Different sports are played at different times of the year and are available to different grades. Both cross country and track are available to a wider age group while basketball, volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee are primarily for Grade 7 Students.

Caulfeild School participates in the following district wide sports:

• September/ October:  Cross Country – Grades 3-7
• October / December:  Basketball – Grade 7
• January / February:  Volleyball – Grade 7
• April / May: Ultimate Frisbee – Grade  7
• May / June: Track and Field – Grades 4-7

If you want to be more competitive in your sports and to prepare for more competitive secondary school teams, we recommend that you play your sport outside of school – you can do this through club play or camps in the summer, winter or spring breaks. The North Shore community offers many opportunities.

Who are the coaches for our sports?

All coaches in public school, both elementary and secondary, are volunteers – this includes your teachers, parents or other community volunteers. A lot of time is committed to our sports teams including coordination of games, uniforms, transportation, practice times, game times, and tournaments which can take place on weekend. Our sport teams run on volunteer power and we are very fortunate to have such dedicated people who gladly give of their time. Always remember to thank your coaches.

The goal of all our coaches is to foster a lifelong enjoyment of sport by providing all interested students an opportunity to develop skills, fair play, and leadership in a cooperative and supportive environment.

How do I sign up?
If you want to play, you can come out to the practices and games or tournaments. There is no fee for participating. Watch for the notices of when the next sport or event is starting.

What is the role of the athlete?
All students are encouraged to participate in school sports. As an athlete it is important to be prepared and be personally accountable for your actions. Athletes should:

• Be prepared (uniform, proper attire, water bottle, nutritious breakfast lunch etc.)
• Attend all practices and games
• Be on time to practices and games (arriving and leaving)
• Know that it is a privilege to be on a sports team and that you are representing yourself, school and district
• Ensure behaviour and work habits in school come first and may impact involvement on a sports team
• Ensure respectful or appropriate behaviour during practices, games and transport.

What is the role of parents in elementary school sports?
Caulfeild parents are very welcome to help out with school sports. There are many ways to do this depending on the sport and the coach’s needs, including:

• Volunteering to coach or assistant in the coaching of a team
• Ensuring your athlete is on time for practices, games and tournaments
• Driving the team to games
• Managing uniforms
• Organizing thank you’s for coaches
• Modelling appropriate behaviour and support for the coach
• Respecting all players and all coaches and always as a spectator