We believe every student is a unique individual created by God with their own special gifts, strengths and needs. In order for students to build their own positive image of themselves as learners and contributors to their communities, they must be provided with relevant, purposeful and appropriate learning experiences. At Bethania, these learning experiences are structured and presented in a variety of ways with opportunities for both success and personal challenge. Students are encouraged to take ownership of and contribute direction to the learning experience. The school facilitates this learning by providing timely and purposeful feedback and learning environments which promote a positive atmosphere of trust and safe risk taking.

Christ-centred Learning

We proudly see ourselves as a Christ Centred School and this underpins our essence as we go about our daily work.  All students are introduced to Jesus and God from our Kindy and Prep classes, through to Year 6, through attendance at Chapels, class devotions and Christian studies lessons.  Daily devotions and weekly Christian Studies lessons introduces children to the world of Christian faith and its place, religion and spirituality, which are integral components of all cultures. We present to students a Christian worldview and a pathway for making meaning in their lives. Christian Studies provides an avenue for the Holy Spirit to grow faith and where all faith responses are encouraged, nurtured and expressed. This occurs in safe and supportive class environments with the freedom for children to have their own views in a diverse community of differing backgrounds and experiences.

All students take part, contribute and are a part of Chapel services, led by Pastor Tom Kitson, when each Friday morning our community gathers in the Bethania Lutheran Community Worship Centre located on our school grounds to worship together. Here we celebrate our community and the blessings we share through being part of the family of God. This very special time is attended by many of our parents and Bethania community friends. Our students take turns presenting the message of God's love and salvation through Christ. 

Join us on Friday mornings during term time at 8.45am. 

Blayz (Year 5-6) and TNT (Aged 13+) are the Bethania Lutheran Church Youth Groups and many of our student take part in the fun games and activities themed to a positive nature. This is also open for anyone, not only BLS students.

Social Emotional Programs

The most profound learning in schools is only able to occur when a child feels safe and supported in school by their teacher and peers. As with their academic learning, children make many mistakes with their social development as they learn to understand, test boundaries and interact with the world and people around them. Our student’s health and well-being is supported and nurtured throughout their school experiences.

Education is as much about social development and building character as it is about curriculum and co curriculum. Our Pastoral Care programs begin in the classroom, where caring and nurturing teachers check in daily with every child’s welfare and state of mind every day. These conversations form a strong part of support networks, problem solving and conflict resolution.

At times, where disagreements and conflict occur, our school follows a restorative approach to solving issues; where mistakes are sought to be opportunities to learn and improve from, and which assists teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. At Bethania Lutheran School we also believe that restorative practices play an important role in character development. Students accept responsibility for their actions, repair the problem or hurt they have caused and then move on with a commitment to behave differently. Circle time and round table discussions are used throughout the school to support restorative practice.

Devices

Bethania Lutheran School embraces the needs of contemporary learners by developing a strong connection with virtual environments. Our take home iPad program delivers 1:1 iPad to all students from Years 3 to 6, and classroom sets of iPads enable students to share one device between two students in classes from Prep to Year 2. This program allows for the delivery of digital content, both in the classroom and at home.

Apple TVs are available in every learning space, to facilitate collaboration with devices. Laptops are utilised across the school, extending students’ skills beyond a tablet level.

Music

The positive link between the study of music and a child’s academic and social development has been well documented. With this in mind, Music at Bethania plays an integral role in the school curriculum. Students from Prep to Year 6 participate in an enjoyable program which develops the essential skills to engage with Music in a rich and meaningful way. In the local and wider community, Bethania Lutheran School has established a fine reputation as a school with high standards in all areas of its Music Program.

Instruments in the Classroom
All learning in Music begins with the voice and body before transferring these skills to classroom instruments. Students begin with tuned and untuned percussion instruments in the early years, and later experience ukulele, guitar, drums, and piano.

Instrumental Music Lessons
Individual and group tuition are available in the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, drums, guitar, ukulele, piano, and voice. The school has a selection of instruments available for hire. Students are encouraged, when ready, to sit for practical music exams through the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). Brochures and enrolment forms are available at Reception.

Music Performance Groups
Music groups at Bethania are organised according to ability rather than instrument type. These groups cater for all levels of ability, from beginners to advanced players.

Choirs
Choirs are open to all students from Year 1 to Year 6. Junior Choir (Years 1-3) and Viva Voices (Years 4-6) rehearse weekly to prepare for a variety of performances throughout the year.

Performances
All students participate in a performance at the annual Learning Showcase. For this event, each cohort prepares a performance during their weekly Music lesson to share with the school community.

Leadership
Two music captains are appointed each year to assist the music staff. Each performance group also appoints two senior students who are responsible for helping during rehearsals and performances.

HPE

All students from Years P-6 will be provided with a specialist HPE lesson which provides the opportunity to participate in a sequential range of outdoor activities that encourages physical, social and emotional development, aligned with the Australian Curriculum. These experiences include a whole range of outdoor experiences, play, sport, competition and camps. The main focus are self-awareness, skill development, game sense and inclusive fair play so that all children have a chance to improve and achieve personal success.

Annual physical education events include:

• Prep-Year 2 sports carnival
• Year 3-6 Athletics 
• Swimming Carnival
• Cross Country
• Inter-Lutheran School 
• District Representative Carnival opportunities
• Inter School Sports Competitions
• Intra School House Competitions
• Camps for Year 3 - 6 

Outdoor Education

Bethania Lutheran School promotes learning anywhere anytime encouraging the use of outside spaces where appropriate. We have a selection of purpose-built areas that allow teachers and students to take their learning outside to enjoy fresh air and natural light. These areas include a beautiful sandstone amphitheatre, a screened ‘tree’ verandah off the library, a large creative arts zone, an undercover ‘meadow’ and a huge multipurpose courts and gym complex. All learning spaces are connected to wi-fi to allow seamless learning between inside and outside spaces.

From Bush Kindy experiences in our beautiful bush campus, to Nature Play and Loose Parts play in the junior years, our students are actively encouraged to explore, manipulate and create with the world around them. Many classes spend time in outdoor settings, from verandas to large covered courtyards to shady grassy clearings beside the oval, teachers find creative ways to use natural resources to bring real life connection to learning about and in nature.

The Outdoor Education Program at Bethania Lutheran School in the senior years aims to provide students with valuable educational and interpersonal skills outside everyday school life and responsible interaction with the environment. Through challenges in different situations from those normally experienced, physical capabilities will be tested and developed within a safe, supportive and encouraging framework whilst fostering independence, self-esteem, communication skills, responsibility for self and others and adding value to classroom learning. Through interaction in different situations from those normally experienced, social skills such as co-operation, consideration and courtesy will also be further developed.