Current Information

Introduction

Established in 1917, Coburg West Primary School is located in Reynard Street in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The school enrolment has increased since 1986 from 334 to its current enrolment of approximately 500 students. The population reflects a multi-cultural community of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The school provides a broad curriculum within a secure and attractive learning environment and before and after school care programs are available. The school has an enrolment cap approved by the DE&T of 500 students.

Vision

Coburg West Primary School encourages its students to strive for excellence in academic achievement, to enjoy and value learning and to participate actively and positively within their school and community.

Values

Coburg West’s teaching and learning programs are based on a firm belief that:

• Each student is entitled to the highest quality of education possible within an attractive, safe and stimulating learning environment.
• Students have access to a balanced, innovative curriculum covering all eight key learning areas.
• There is a strong commitment to high standards of academic achievement and social interaction.
• Students learn best in an environment where parent participation is encouraged.
• Teaching quality is of the highest standard and professional development is available to all staff.

Context

Coburg West’s curriculum programs encourage students to participate fully to achieve their own potential. There is a growing emphasis on students taking greater responsibility for their own learning. The school is divided into grade/composite levels with a coordinator responsible for each area. Regular team meetings ensure co-operative planning.

The curriculum is planned using the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. In the Standards the three core strands of learning are; Physical, Personal and Social Learning, Discipline-based Learning and Interdisciplinary Learning. All are treated equally and are deemed to be equally important.

Within the Discipline-based Learning strand the learning domains are:

• The Arts
• English
• The Humanities - Economics
• The Humanities - Geography
• The Humanities - History
• Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
• Mathematics
• Science

Whenever practical the curriculum is integrated and students are encouraged to be involved in the planning of units of work. The development of the ‘Thinking Curriculum’ across the school teaches the tools and skills that enable students to take more responsibility for their learning. The creation of digital portfolios throughout the school year provides a reflection on all that has been accomplished and is something that all students are proud of.

At Coburg West Primary School we offer a variety of different programs, all of which aim to further enhance student learning. We run specialist programs in the domains of Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.), currently both Italian and Greek; Visual Arts; Performing Arts and Physical Education. Library lessons are taken by classroom teachers, as are Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T.) lessons in our fully equipped Computer Lab. The SmartBoard technology is used to further enhance I.C.T. lessons. A network of multimedia capable hardware is available in all classrooms, each of which has a direct connection to Email, the Internet and to network software.

Staff undertake a variety of professional development programs to support the implementation of the curriculum and to improve teaching and learning. The Principles of Learning and Teaching (PoLT) underpin all classroom practices and ensures the delivery of high quality programs. Other programs include the Bounce Back welfare program and programs in English and Maths for under-achievers and children of high intellectual potential. Our Transition programs are specifically designed to support students as they move into different levels of schooling. Camping programs are offered to students in grades 2, 4, and 6 and swimming is a feature of grade 3/4. Grades 5 and 6 participate in inter-school and house sport throughout the year.

Charter priorities are English and Mathematics. English will have a knowledge enhancement perspective through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (I.C.T.) and the incorporation of the ‘Thinking Curriculum’ skills. Gender equity issues, Sun Smart practices and prevention of bullying are priorities, as are the implementation of the Early Years/Middle Years Strategies and I.C.T.

Facilities

The school setting is attractive and well maintained, providing an excellent environment for students, staff and parents. The school has four building areas. An impressive Edwardian, double storey, brick building was constructed in 1917 and now contains ten classrooms, a physical education room, staffroom and administration area. The hall was completed in 1967. The light, timber-clad block that now houses the Art room was opened in 1969. The double storey complex completed in 1978 has twelve open-plan classroom areas, the library, the canteen and various storage areas. A building maintenance and upgrade program approved for 2003-2004 will change the usage of some building areas when completed.

A feature of Coburg West is the very high levels of parent participation in the life of the school. The provision of a community area with a kitchen, meeting room and office is a focus for parent activity.

The playground has areas for active and quiet pastimes. A grounds’ development program has provided two adventure playgrounds with appropriate shade cover, an aviary, a gazebo, a treed area, a BBQ area, upgraded asphalt areas, a grassed area and many other garden and grounds improvements.