Avonvale Primary School, in Northam
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| Avonvale Primary School opened in 1954 with the first students coming from the Holden Migrant Centre. It is a Level 4 school with a student population of approximately 170 students. Avonvale Primary School is situated within the townsite of Northam, on the north-west side of the Avon River. The housing in this area is mainly Westrail or Homewest. The school has a high score on the H index of social disadvantage. As a consequence, the school was included in the Priority School Programme from 1991 (now Commonwealth Literacy and Numeracy Program.) Staffing in 2006 comprises: - Principal - Deputy - 8 Teachers - Aboriginal Languages Teacher - Specialist Aborigial teacher(AEST) - Physical and Health Specialist - Registrar - School Officer - Gardener - 4 Teacher Assistants - 2 AIEOs - Library Assistant - Indigenous tutor(ITAS) -GiR(Getting it Right) ..Literacy -SBCLO(School based Community Liaison Officer) Aboriginal students comprise around 40% of the school population. In recent years, an increasing number of Aboriginal families have moved to the area, a number by choice. The school enrolment figures are characterised by a high transient rate, which has a serious impact on class sizes, staff FTE, students attendance and student learning. Staffing at Avonvale, by country standards, has been relatively stable with annual changeover usually being between 0 and 3. The school community is enriched by the range of skills and interests that the staff bring, such assporting abilities, hobbies and artistic and musical talents. Parent support, in general, is limited. However, there is a strong core P & C group as well as a School Council. A Breakfast Club runs every morning, with an After School Care programme held most aftrenoons. In recent years the school has run a very successful, innovative program involving all students from Years 1 to 7. The Primary Enrichment Groups won a 1994 Education Innovation Award. This program continues to run and allows students to select from a series of options that are of high interest and encompass most Learning Areas. The program continues in its modified form as 'Bravo Arvo' The school has until this year had a highly innovative Music program that included classroom music instruction, Band and Choir. The band featured in many schools in the area, Midlands Distrtict Conference, Eisteddfods, competitions and festivals. The Music Program won the Education Innovation and Milton Thorne Awards for Outstanding Aboriginal Teaching in 2001. With the departure of the Music Specialist at the end on 2002 we have now focused on Physical and Health Education as our Specialist area. Avonvale continues to implement innovative programs such as the K to Ed Early Language initiative in conjunction with the North East Language Development Centre. In 2007, a Community Centre will be operating out of the existing Kindergarten focussing on the 0-4 years. The introduction 'Tribes' , a cultural change programme in 2005 has enabled consistent values to be embedded across the school community through the implementation of the four agreements and community circles. A new purpose built early childhood facility, is situated in the south-east corner of the main school compound. In 2007, it will cater for Kindergarten and Pre-primary students. Significant playground improvements have been initiated through the federally funded 'Investing in Our Schools' programme. A Building and Grounds Committee, with the School Council, have overseen the major 'make-over' to the school buildings and surrounds. The school gardener, during the last Christmas holidays, paved a pathway from the staff car park to the Administration area. The Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) coordinator and the ICT committee are responsible for the successful implementation and utilisation of the Computer Network, which operates from Room 5. This facility continues to provide a substantial learning resource for both teachers and students as part of the 100 School Project. The Implementation of Schools Information Systems continues into 2006, teacher packaged Curriculum Manager. During 2001: Avonvale was extremely successful in numerous Award submissions: - Milton Thorne Award for the most successful program for Aboriginal Students: - Commonwealth Literacy and Numeracy Award: Runner Up - Most Outstanding Aboriginal Educator: Mrs Pat Davis - Education Innovations Award: Improvised Music Program - National Excellence in Teaching Award: Mr Robert Smyth During 2002 we were delighted to be awarded two Education Innovation Awards: 1. Back to Primary School Transition Program 2. LANETTICS (Literacy and Numeracy Through Technology Information Challenges) In 2006 the School implemented the structured lunch time programme 'Lively Lunches'. This project involves external agencies rostered on to provide activity based lunchtimes. It has been recently nomintaed for Aboriginal Education Award. | ||||
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