Creaney Primary School, in Kingsley
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| LOCATION Creaney Primary School is located in the suburb of Kingsley approximately twenty kilometres north of the city centre of Perth, Western Australia. The school grounds are bounded by Creaney and Kingsley Drives which are both major roads within the suburb. The suburb of Kingsley is situated to the East of the Mitchell Freeway between the exit points at Hepburn and Whitfords Avenues. HISTORY The first stage of Creaney Primary School was built in late 1982 and the school commenced operation in February 1983 with an enrolment of 229 pupils and a staff of 16. The Official opening of the school was held on 3rd June 1983. Included among the guests was Mrs Gay Creaney, wife of Mr John Creaney who was responsible for the planning of the suburbs of Kingsley and Woodvale. Creaney Drive was named after Mr Creaney in recognition of his work in the area and Creaney Primary School in turn was named after the street adjacent to the school. Mr Creaney died at the early age of 26 in 1973 and the school, as a result, holds special significance for Mrs Creaney and her son David. In December 1983, a time capsule containing memorabilia was set in place in the school grounds. The capsule will be opened in the year 2008. During the latter part of 1985 the second stage of the building program was completed. The new buildings included a complete block to house an Education Support Centre which has its own identity and status as a separate educational institution. BUILDINGS The main school buildings are typical for their time and feature attractive brick and timber. The school is an open planned cluster design coded L by the Education Dept of WA. The school was built in two stages which were completed in 1983 and 1986 respectively. A major improvement made to the buildings in 1994 was the insulation of the school hall (previously the covered assembly area). This dramatically improved the hall acoustically, aesthetically and climatically and provides a superb venue for school functions, especially musical performances. The covered assembly area is now named the 'Geoff Jones Hall' in recognition of the long serving deputy and music teacher, Mr Geoff Jones. GROUNDS The school is set in very attractive grounds consisting of lawn areas, cultivated shrubs and natural bush. The trees and shrubs have been developed through planting programs conducted on Arbor Day each year. The school is served by a spacious oval which connects to Kingsley oval to provide extensive playing areas. An adventure playground near the covered assembly area, a netball court and enclosed facility for both basketball and tennis complete a very fine area for outdoor activity. In addition the enclosed Pre Primary area has play equipment and a sand pit facility PARENTS The school catchment area provides a variety of occupations which range through all socio economic groups. Many children have one or both parents who were born outside Australia. A significant number have come to Australia from the United Kingdom. From the early days of the school and even before the school was built there has been a very supportive group of parents willing to assist the school. This support has evolved into a very strong P&C Association which has been very active and successful in their endeavours to provide both resources and strong involvement in the functioning of the school. The enthusiasm of members of the P&C has been of great assistance to the school. The provision of a wide range and quantity of resources through fund raising has been of great benefit to the school through its developing years. Parents' cooperation in the educative and administrative processes in the school is also a feature. Assistance in the library, junior classrooms and with sporting activities has been readily available. A School Council involving both parents and teaching staff operates very successfully, thus providing a worthwhile group involved in school decision making. PUPILS Although the children at the school come from varied home backgrounds there has developed a pleasing uniformity of attitude, effort and behaviour which is shown by most pupils. The school motto 'Caring' has been strongly reinforced through soundly based activities and approaches which have produced a noticeably positive pupil attitude towards fellow pupils and teachers alike. The school song also provides children with positive thoughts about themselves and their school. All pupils adhere to our uniform policy which has full support from parents. Students take great pride in themselves and their school. A significant number of children show high potential and extension and enrichment programs are needed for this group. The senior children have been able to develop community spirit and organising ability. Student Council has provided further opportunities for children to take part in the functioning of the school. The school has a student council and boy and girl school captains. These are led by the year 7 teacher, Miss Gow. STAFFING Enrolments at Creaney have peaked and are now declining like the other Kingsley and Greenwood schools. Staffing is being adjusted annually to accommodate the change in student population. CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT The school staff are experienced, committed and very competent having been actively involved with First Steps and the Various Curriculum Leaders Strategies. Staff have recently completed the First Steps 'Number' module. COMPUTERS The school is fully networked with computers located in every classroom, the Library and the computer laboratory. All of these are connected to the Internet. Students can now work on projects from any point within the network. Additionally the school web site at http://members.iinet.net.au/-creaney/Index.html has proven a useful means of communicating with community and demonstrating our school's commitment to the use of technology. MUSIC The school has a music program and has invested well in instruments and uniforms for the choir and the band. OTHER PROGRAMS AT CREANEY Instrumental Music: Students in years 6 & 7 are selected to participate in this program. Music teachers from the School of Instrumental Music tutor students on site at times during the week. These students are provided with the opportunity to participate in the Year 6 to Year 7 band. Students are also able to participate in a combined schools band at Woodvale SHS and Greenwood SHS. Choir: In conjunction with the instrumental and classroom music program the school a choir that involves approximately 40 students with performances at school and in the community. Enrichment courses: Children in mixed age groupings decide on an area they have an interest in and would like to investigate. These may be linked to work in the classroom, incursions, excursions or current affairs. Procedure is formalised and children are encouraged to investigate using many resources and to present their findings/workings to the whole group. Students at Educational Risk: The school has a Student Services Coordinator and a Learning Support Coordinator whom work together to support children, teachers and parents in meeting the various needs of students. Stop Think Do: In the Learning Area of Health, the students in Years 4,5 & 6 will be involved in a program called Stop Think Do! The components of the program are based on Communication, Problem Solving and Strategy Evaluation within social situations. This program will give students and teacher's skills and strategies to use within the school and wider communities. School Community Liaison Officer: Creaney as a wonderful Community Liaison Officer and Chaplain who runs programs, games, self-esteem workshops, counselling, guest speakers and special events. Courtney Smart is very well respected and liked by the school community and she is a terrific resource for the school. The school was successful in being granted funding from the National Chaplaincy Program and our P & C kindly donates money to the program as well. | ||||
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