At King’s, we are committed to providing evidence-based, effective learning programs that support every child’s literacy journey. Across Reception-Year 5, we use Playberry Laser for our phonics and spelling instruction.

Playberry Laser is a structured, multisensory program designed to build strong foundational skills in reading and spelling. It blends synthetic phonics with proven literacy strategies, supporting students to develop accurate decoding, fluency, and word knowledge. The program is carefully sequenced to meet students at their point of need and build their confidence and capability over time.

• What is Playberry? Playberry is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, widely recognised for supporting early literacy development and students with dyslexia. It uses engaging, hands-on learning techniques to teach students the relationships between letters and sounds.
• What is Laser? Laser is a whole class teaching program that complements Playberry by building on core phonics skills with an explicit focus on spelling patterns, word structure, and vocabulary. Together, Playberry and Laser provide a consistent and comprehensive approach to literacy instruction across classrooms and intervention programs.

We continuously review and introduce programs based on current research and the evolving needs of our students. Our teaching and learning team works closely with staff to ensure that the programs we implement are the best fit for our learners, now and into the future.

Every Years 3-Year 5 student at King’s will take part in a variety of programs that are embedded into the Junior School experience. These activities are designed to support learning, build confidence and create lasting memories through hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities and community connection.

Our Core Programs include:

• Buddy Program
  • Year 3s and Year 1s
  • Year 4s and ELC Children
  • Year 5s and Receptions
• Camps
• Digital Technologies - Coding and Robotics
• Excursions
• Faith Studies
• German Language Lessons (Specialist Teacher)
• Health and Physical Education (Specialist Teacher)
• House Games (Sports Day)
• ICAS Competitions
• Performing Arts (Specialist Teacher)
• Student Leader Program
• Swimming Week
• Year 3-4 Musical
• Year 5 Brass/Wind Program

At King’s, we believe some of the most powerful learning happens beyond the classroom. Our students are given every opportunity to discover who they are and what ignites their passion. We see the whole world as a source of wonder and a place where each student can make a meaningful contribution.

Through a wide range of co-curricular and service learning programs, students are encouraged to explore new interests, build friendships, and grow in confidence. We believe every child has God-given talents to be nurtured, and our co-curricular opportunities are designed to develop those gifts, helping students deepen their skills and flourish in all areas of life.

Our Co-Curricular opportunities include:

• Instrumental Lessons
  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Cello
  • Drums
  • Piano
  • Violin/Viola
  • Flute (from Year 3)
  • Voice (from Year 4)
  • Bass Guitar (from Year 5)
  • Clarinet (from Year 5)
  • Electric Guitar (from Year 5)
  • Saxophone (from Year 5)
  • Trombone (from Year 5)
  • Trumpet (from Year 5)
• King's Dance Teams
  • Jazz
  • Pom
  • Sport Aerobics
  • Hip-Hop (from Year 4)
  • Lyrical (from Year 4)
• Lego Club
• SACSA Sport
  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Netball
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Volleyball

• Weekly Sporting Teams (from Year 2)
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Futsal
  • Netball

One of the standout opportunities offered to our Junior School students is the chance to embark on overnight camps – one night in Year 3, and two nights in Years 4 and 5. These camps are an exciting milestone in a child’s school journey, providing a unique blend of adventure, learning and personal growth.

Camps provide a valuable opportunity for students to grow in their confidence and independence, while forging lasting bonds with their classmates. Through a variety of physical challenges, team building activities and personal development experiences, students learn to navigate new environments and enhance social skills. These adventures foster camaraderie as students collaborate and support each other, creating unforgettable memories that strengthen their sense of community.

The camp experiences in the Junior School lay the groundwork for future formative opportunities in Middle and Senior Schools. They help prepare students for the Middle School Transition Camp, The Rite Journey program in Year 9, and Outdoor Education subjects in Years 10-12, ensuring a seamless transition as they continue and shape their own educational journeys. These early experiences foster resilience and confidence, empowering students with the skills they need to embrace new challenges and adventures in the years to come.

Children’s University is a dynamic, student-driven program that empowers young learners to take charge of their own educational journey. Students can nominate to participate, and the program encourages children to explore a wide variety of enriching co-curricular activities, with the support of their parents and a school coordinator. As they engage in these activities, students collect ‘hours’ in a special passport, marking their achievements and dedication to personal growth. This journey culminates in a prestigious graduation ceremony at the University of Adelaide, where their efforts are celebrated in a meaningful way.

The Children’s University program is designed to inspire curiosity, foster independence and reward students for their commitment to learning beyond the classroom. By engaging in diverse co-curricular opportunities, students broaden their horizons, enhance their educational experience and gain confidence in their abilities. The program not only promotes a love for lifelong learning, but also demonstrates that their knowledge and skills can take them wherever they aspire to go, setting a strong foundation for future success.

At King’s, our vision is to authentically prepare students for the future. We recognise the importance of nurturing students to become digitally literate citizens who are critical and creative thinkers, equipped to tackle unknown problems through systems, design and computational thinking.

All Junior School students have access to a laptop and an iPad during the school day, with every Year 5 student given a laptop for their use only. Junior School students embrace a number of additional tools that spark their exploration of digital technologies, with a particular focus on coding activities. By engaging with forward-thinking technologies, young learners are empowered to become creators of technology, not just consumers. This hands-on approach encourages curiosity and innovation, laying the groundwork for their future learning in a rapidly-evolving digital landscape.

This foundational learning experience paves the way for students to gradually embrace more advanced digital technologies as they transition from the Junior School to Middle and Senior School. They will explore robotics training and the responsible use of screen-based tools such as iPads, enhancing their understanding of engineering, programming principles and collaborative coding projects.

King’s Baptist Grammar School is proud to be a member of the South Australian Christian Schools Association (SACSA) competition, joining 34 other schools across the state in fostering a spirit of healthy competition and community. The SACSA sports program gives students opportunities to participate in individual and team sport, cultivating the vital character qualities and attitudes of good sportspersonship: persistence, courage, commitment and a joy of competing.

Junior School students from King’s have the opportunity to be selected for a range of SACSA carnivals throughout the year, including Athletics, Basketball, Cross Country, Football (AFL), Netball, Soccer, Table Tennis and Touch Football. These events offer students a chance to represent the King’s Community with pride, competing alongside peers from both Wynn Vale and Adelaide Hills campuses, against other Christian schools in South Australia.

The SACSA sports program complements our specialist PE lessons, providing students with the opportunity to engage in elite-level competition while deepening their athletic abilities. The program offers a unique platform for students to develop their skills, represent their school and community and grow both personally and as part of a team.

At King’s, our vision is to nurture a lifelong love for the Performing Arts by providing students with a wide range of opportunities in music, theatre and dance. Our annual Year 3-4 Musical is a highlight of the Junior School calendar, allowing students to shine on stage as they present a vibrant production to the school community in our state-of-the-art Auditorium. This event fosters confidence, teamwork and creativity as every student plays a role – regardless of individual ability - by acting, singing and dancing.

Year 3 students are introduced to the joy of performing, while the Year 4s - drawing from their previous year’s experience - offer mentorship and support. Middle School and Senior School students also step-up by assisting with coaching, sound, lighting, make-up and costuming, and backstage crew training. This collaborative experience not only builds performance skills, but also strengthens bonds between students as they work together to bring the production to life.

By encouraging participation and personal growth, the Year 3-4 Musical exemplifies our dedication to the Performing Arts and the holistic development of each student.

The Year 5 Brass/Wind program enhances King’s’ rich Performing Arts curriculum, offering students a continuation of the specialist instrumental lessons introduced in the Early Years. As part of this immersive program, students build on the fundamentals of playing an instrument, with the option to learn the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or trombone. Under the guidance of skilled instrumental teachers, students expand on their skills in technique, music reading and performance, developing their confidence and self-expression in collaboration with their peers.

The program culminates in the highly-anticipated Year 5 Recital Night, where families are invited to celebrate their child’s musical achievements in our state-of-the-art Auditorium, with a special performance that showcases the progress made throughout the year.

For students who show a strong interest in these instruments, the learning can continue beyond the classroom through co-curricular instrumental lessons. These one-on-one or group lessons are offered weekly with a specialist instrumental teacher and instrument hire available, providing ongoing support for those eager to further their musical journey at King’s.