Elementary School

The LCS Elementary School welcomes children aged six to eleven and focuses primarily on written language skills acquisition (Cycle 2) and enhancing the students’ knowledge base (Cycle 3)

Elementary School students follow the compulsory national curriculum, which, since 1990, is divided into cycles which clearly state students’ expected knowledge and skills. All teachers are given assessment tools that provide them with national reference points in order to measure students’ competencies. Elementary School education is divided into two main cycles and their corresponding focus points:

Cycle 2 and 3

Cycle 2: Year 1 – 3

The pupils study French, English, Artistic Education (Art and Music), Mathematics, Moral and Civic Education, Sports and Physical Education, and Discovering the World (Living Things, Matter, Space and Time).

Cycle 3: Year 4 – 6

The pupils study French, English, Artistic Education (Art and Music), Mathematics, Moral and Civic Education, History, Geography, Science and Technology (Technology related subjects, the Earth, Energy and Information Movement, and Living Things), and Sports and Physical Education.

Elementary School Education Programme

Primary school student in the Lycée Condorcet playground

Languages

Extended Australian Programme:

All students from year 1 – 5 are part of the Extended Australian Programme (EAP). In secondary school, however, the school offers an Extended British Programme which prepares students for the French International Baccalaurate, the BFI. This programme is selective and students must submit an application to the secondary school commission. See video about the EBP here. 

English in primary school:

5 hours of the NSW curriculum per week
1.5 hours of the French curriculum in English per week
Total: 6.5 hours of English per week

NAPLAN: Year 3 and 5 students sit the National Assessment Program on Literacy and Numeracy in May, along with all other local schools. Our school’s results from past NAPLAN tests demonstrate the excellent English level of our students.

Cambridge certifications: for French-speaking students who are now to LCSl.

Delf certifications: for English-speaking students who are new to LCS.

English or French Speakers

My child is predominatly French speaking:

For the first year at LCS, your child, depending on his/her level of English, may be in an “EAL” (English as an Additional Language) class. EAL students will study English in a small group with a teacher specialised in beginners’ English. When the students are ready, they will leave the transition group to begin studying the New South Wales English programme with the rest of the class.

My child is predominantly English speaking:

Intensive or one-off FLSco (French as a study language) sessions will be put in place after an assessment by our teaching team. A personalised plan (PPRE FLSco) will map out the help provided by the school as well as the support expected from the parents.

FLSco - French as a Study Language

Our school has two specialised teachers responsible for supporting children who need extra support in French. Pupils who require additional help with French as a study language are given specific support in small groups during class time so as not to overload their already full timetables.

A personalised plan for educational success is then set up between the school and the family.

Coup de Pouce - A Helping Hand

Coup de Pouce clubs, which can be loosely translated to “A Helping Hand” clubs, are based on a French program which helps non-native French speakers catch up to their classmates in reading, writing speaking and listening in French. In France, the Helping Hand program has helped over 140 000 students since its introduction in 1994. In this program, teachers identify children who could benefit from the Helping Hand program according to their profile and their needs. Identified students attend after-school clubs 4 days per week in which they meet in small groups of approximately 5 students to reinforce their language skills through short, fun activities. 

The aim of the Helping Hand clubs is to support students in Kindergarten to Year 2 in learning the French language. The main objectives are the following:

-Provide the support that students having difficulties in speaking, reading and writing require.
-Help families to support their children with their French language challenges.
-Allow teachers and parents to understand the student’s progress and adapt support methods accordingly through increased knowledge of the French education system.

GS / Kindergarten: 2 Helping Hand Clubs – to help children express themselves through words. 1 hour per day.
CP / Year 1: 2 Helping Hand Clubs – to help children with reading and writing. 1.5 hours per day.
CE1 / Year 2: 2 Helping Hand Clubs – to help children discover the joy of reading. 1.5 hours per day.

Learning about Science and New Technology

The LCS provides high performing tools to support the students’ education in scientific and technological subjects. These include computers, tablets, interactive white board, science kits, etc.

Excursions

As of the 2021/2022 school year, all pupils in Grande Section, Year 2 and Year 4 will go on excursions including an overnight stay. A financial contribution will be requested from the family for these excursions.

How to Enrol