Year 3
Year 3 marks the beginning of the middle years at Sacred Heart Primary School in Highgate, where students build on the strong foundations of the early years with greater independence and responsibility. Each lesson begins with a clear learning intention, and classrooms combine whole-class instruction, small group work and individual support so that every child is challenged at the right level.
Year 3 is a special year of faith, as students prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in partnership with Sacred Heart Parish. Students also receive the Sacred Heart Primary School Diary for the first time, which tells the stories of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions after whom our school factions are named, and supports children in organising their learning.
Students sit their first NAPLAN assessments in Year 3, and our results consistently sit above state and national comparators. Just as importantly, teachers know each child by name and by need, using ongoing assessment to differentiate learning in literacy, numeracy and across the Western Australian Curriculum.
Year 4
In Year 4, students continue to grow as confident, capable learners. Literacy is strengthened through structured programs in spelling, grammar and writing, while dedicated numeracy time develops problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. Students set personal learning goals and receive regular feedback from their teachers, encouraging them to take ownership of their progress.
Year 4 students prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, celebrated with their families in Sacred Heart Parish. Daily prayer, class liturgies and the Religious Education program remain at the heart of each day.
Beyond the classroom, students engage in hands-on STEM investigations in our dedicated Science Lab, following the Sacred Heart STEM Design Process. Year 4 is also the year of our STEM Partnership with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Kalgoorlie, giving students the chance to collaborate with peers in the Goldfields and see their learning come to life beyond Highgate. Students also take part in interschool sporting carnivals, the Angelico Arts Exhibition and the Catholic Performing Arts Festival.
Year 5
Year 5 is a year of growing leadership and challenge. Students sit NAPLAN for the second time and, with the support of data-informed teaching, are extended in reading, writing and numeracy. Our Year 5 students have achieved national recognition in STEM, and continue to design, build and test real-world solutions through our whole-school STEM Vision for Learning.
The Year 5 Leadership Camp provides an early opportunity for students to develop teamwork, resilience and responsibility, preparing them for the leadership roles of Year 6. Students also begin to take an active part in student voice through our class Codes of Conduct.
The URSTRONG Whole School Friendship Approach gives students a shared language for building healthy friendships and managing conflict, supporting their wellbeing as they move towards the senior years of primary school.
Year 6
Year 6 is the culmination of a child’s journey at Sacred Heart Primary School. As leaders of the school, students take on formal leadership roles, contribute through the Catholic Identity Student Council and Stewardship Council, and model our values of Faith, Truth and Loyalty to Gospel Values for younger students.
Students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, celebrated in Sacred Heart Parish, and lead the school community in prayer, liturgy and service. Fundraising for our sister school, Euphrasie School in Northern India, and for Catholic charities gives students a lived experience of the mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.
The Year 6 Leadership Camp and our STEM City-Country Partnership with St Mary’s College in Broome broaden students’ horizons well beyond Highgate. Small, single-stream classes mean every Year 6 student is known deeply and supported to transition to secondary school with confidence, independence and a strong sense of who they are.