Specialist programs

Kitchen garden program

O’Sullivan Beach Primary School has embraced the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, which plays a vital role in the school’s educational framework. This program engages students from Reception to Year 6 in hands-on activities where they learn to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh, seasonal produce. The initiative not only fosters a love for gardening and healthy eating but also integrates practical life skills into the curriculum, enhancing literacy and numeracy through related activities.

The school’s kitchen garden has gained recognition for its outstanding contributions to the community and has received multiple awards at the Royal Adelaide Show, highlighting its success in promoting sustainable practices and food education. Students actively participate in maintaining the garden, which serves as a living classroom, reinforcing the school’s values of cooperation, achievement, respect, and empathy.

In addition to enriching the students’ learning experiences, the program strengthens community ties by involving families and local groups, making O’Sullivan Beach Primary School a hub for culinary and environmental education in the region.

Visual Arts / Drama

The Visual Arts and Drama Program at O’Sullivan Beach Primary School inspires creativity, builds confidence, and nurtures self-expression in every student. Our dynamic program provides a foundation for artistic exploration through diverse experiences that balance skill development with creative freedom.

In our vibrant Visual Arts curriculum, students explore various mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital arts. They develop technical skills while engaging with art history and contemporary practices, creating meaningful connections between art and their everyday lives.

Our Drama program encourages students to step into different worlds through role-play, improvisation, and performance. Children develop vital communication skills, emotional intelligence, and teamwork while building the confidence to express themselves authentically.

Both programs culminate in community showcases throughout the year, including our annual Arts Festival, gallery exhibitions, and theatrical performances that celebrate student achievements and bring our school community together.

At O’Sullivan Beach Primary, we believe the arts are essential to a well-rounded education, providing children with creative tools to understand themselves and the world around them.

Health, Physical Education and Cultural Studies

O’Sullivan Beach Primary School offers a comprehensive Health and Physical Education (PE) program designed to foster students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. The program emphasises the importance of active living and equips students with the skills necessary to make informed decisions about their health and safety.

• Holistic Development: The PE curriculum focuses not only on physical skills but also on building resilience and fostering positive relationships among students. Activities are structured to engage all students, promoting cooperation and teamwork, with integration of Aboriginal games like Buroinjin (similar to touch football) and Kolap (keep-away ball game) that teach traditional values of respect and collaboration.
• Connection to Country: Students learn about the deep connection between physical well-being and the land through Aboriginal perspectives. The program incorporates Kaurna knowledge of the local environment, with outdoor activities that help students understand how traditional movement patterns were influenced by the natural world and seasonal changes on Kaurna Country.
• Variety of Activities: Students participate in a diverse range of physical activities, including sports games and fitness techniques, which are designed to enhance their movement skills and overall fitness. Traditional Aboriginal movement practices such as tracking, hunting techniques, and dance sequences are integrated to provide cultural context to physical development.
• Leadership Opportunities: Older students have the chance to take on leadership roles, such as planning and organizing school events like Sports Day, which encourages community spirit and student involvement. Aboriginal leadership concepts are incorporated, with local Elders occasionally invited to share knowledge about traditional games and their cultural significance.
• Integration with Other Programs: The PE program is complemented by initiatives like the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, which teaches students about nutrition and sustainability through hands-on gardening and cooking experiences. This is enriched with knowledge of traditional Kaurna food sources, bush tucker identification, and sustainable harvesting practices that have been used for thousands of years.
• Cultural Stories and Movement: The curriculum incorporates Aboriginal Dreaming stories that relate to physical movement, teaching students how traditional narratives can guide understanding of the body and its relationship to the environment.
• Supportive Environment: The school employs specialist PE teachers who create a dynamic learning atmosphere, ensuring that all students, regardless of their skill level, can participate and thrive. Cultural safety principles are embedded in teaching practices, honoring Aboriginal perspectives and encouraging all students to respect diverse cultural approaches to physical activity.

Through these initiatives, O’Sullivan Beach Primary School promotes a culture of health, activity, and community engagement, preparing students for a healthy lifestyle beyond their school years, while fostering respect and understanding for Australia’s First Nations cultures and their ongoing contribution to health and physical education practices.