Charter

GRPS 2008 Annual Report

Purpose:

To provide a supportive and engaging environment which enables students to develop the emotional, social, physical and academic skills to adapt and contribute positively to an ever changing world.

 

Values:

We have decided to adopt the Values for Australian Schooling as identified by the Federal Government project.

Care and Compassion –care for self and others

Doing your best – seek to accomplish something worthy and admirable, try hard, pursue excellence

Fair go – pursue and protect the common good where all people are treated fairly for a just society.

Freedom – enjoy the rights and privileges of Australian citizenship free from unnecessary interference or control, stand up for the rights of others.

Honesty and Trustworthiness – be honest, sincere and seek the truth.

Integrity – act in accordance with principles of moral and ethical conduct, ensure consistency between words and deeds.

Respect – treat others with consideration and regard, respect another person’s point of view.

Responsibility – be accountable for one’s own actions, resolve differences in constructive, non-violent and peaceful ways, contribute to society and to civic life, take care of the environment.

Understanding, Tolerance and Inclusion – be aware of others and their cultures, accept diversity within a democratic society, being included and including of others.

 

Goals:

Student Learning Outcomes

To challenge students to apply relevant skills, knowledge and understandings to real-world situations within a sustainable schools framework.

Student Engagement and Wellbeing                    

To improve student self responsibility in developing, managing and monitoring a range of strategies to increase personal learning.

Student Pathways and Transitions

To continue to ensure positive student transitions and learning opportunities from home/preschool, the school, throughout the school levels and from primary to secondary school, with a specific focus on those students to be considered ‘at risk’ or ‘highly able’.

 

Environmental Context:

Location, Population and Demographic

The school is located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, in a mixed social demographic, with 33% of students entitled to receive an Education Maintenance Allowance.  The school also caters for a significant number of single parent families and families where one or both parents are relatively high income professionals or business owners.   The school enrolment is expected to grow with further housing development in the local area in the future but is likely to be maintained at current levels over the next few years.

 

Staffing

The school has a diversified range of age and experience within the teaching staff.  The Leadership profile consists of Principal, Assistant Principal and 2 Leading Teachers.  The school seeks to ensure a culture of continual improvement reflecting current undertakings in the area of performance and development culture and through the implementation of the Principles of Learning and Teaching.

 

Curriculum and Extra Curricular Provision

The school is committed to maximising educational opportunities for all students and has already taken significant steps toward the implementation of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. The school has also undertaken to become a Sustainable School and is working in close liaison with CERES to achieve this status.  Both of these frameworks are seen as an opportunity to ensure student motivation and engagement, whilst still retaining academic rigour and accountability.

The school offers Specialist programs in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education and Languages Other Than English (Indonesian). The curriculum is delivered through a multi-age program. The school is heavily committed to Information and Communications technology and has a network of 110 computers including a computer room with 16 computers and 4-5 computers per classroom.

 

An extensive range of co-curricular and extra curricular programs are offered including Buddy program; Life Education; Family Life; Sun Smart; Prep Transition program; Instrumental Music tuition; School Band and School Choirs; Swimming program; interschool sport program; University of NSW Maths, English, Science and Computer competitions; School Concert (biennial); School Fete; House competitions; Approved Religious Education; Social Service; Garden Club; Junior School Council and the Green Team.

 

The school also offers opportunities through excursions and incursions and a camping program at Levels 3 and 4. The school is a member of the Heathmont Innovations and Excellence cluster and is actively involved with Heathmont College, Marlborough PS and Tinternvale PS.

 

Community Interest and Participation

The school has a strong sense of community involvement with an active Parents and Friends Association, which works hard to maintain this through community events such as student discos, film nights, trivia nights and the School fete.  Whilst these events also act as fundraisers the primary aim is community involvement.  

 

The School Council and its subcommittees form a productive and harmonious group with a commitment to education.  Parent help is received in many ways including working bees; classroom helpers; uniform shop; newsletter production; excursions and sporting activities.

 

Facilities and Resources

The school was built to house the amalgamation of 3 smaller schools and was occupied in April 1998.  The buildings have been maintained through a regular maintenance and painting program which keeps them looking good. In 2004 the school received a building and grounds extension after the closure of the adjacent Heathmont College site. 

 

This building underwent extensive upgrading and refurbishment in January 2005.  Heating and air conditioning have since been installed and there are plans for a toilet block within this area.  We have also acquired a “Big Shed” which will require further planning to gain best use of. 

 

Grounds and Play Space

The school now has large grounds and play space areas.  We have 3 sets of Play Equipment that all students can access.  One has a large shade tent covering it and is utilised as a safe haven for the new Level 1 students in Term 1.

 

We have developed a Grounds Masterplan with the help of the Gould League and are working toward revegetation of many areas, redevelopment of the large oval, an orchard and vegetable garden and other areas in line with the Sustainable Schools program.