West Balcatta Primary School, in Balcatta
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| West Balcatta Primary School opened on 7 February 1977. The school is an accredited Waterwise School and Asthma Friendly School. Each year many students and a number of classes win awards and prizes in a variety of competitions. In 2007 the school was successful in winning ICT and media equipment/resources in the Westfield Shopping Competition. It has also been recognised as a Resource Recovery school by Close the Loop. The school was also successful in 2006 in a funding application from the Department of Education, Science and Training for upgrading the school's ICT hardware. $114 131.00 was received! The West Balcatta Primary School grounds are fully reticulated, very attractive and welcoming with seating in shaded ares for parents as well as signage in different languages. Funding was gained in 2005 for the installation of extra security lighting enabling the use of school facilities in the evenings. The school population has a strong multicultural mix where languages from twenty-five countries or cultures are spoken in the homes of students. The parent body is comprised of families from 67 different cultures. School programs are language and literacy oriented. The teaching and non-teaching staff are well qualified and experienced. There is a non-teaching Principal and two teaching Deputy Principals. School administrative duties are shared amongst the Administration Team. The Administrators and Teaching Staff undertake curriculum coordinating roles for the learning areas and for the school's priorities and performance indicators. It is a strength of the school that many teachers are prepared to take on extra responsibilities and administrative duties. One teacher has Level 3 Classroom Teacher status and five have Senior Teacher (Advanced Skills) status. The school conducts specialist programs in Physical Education, Music and Languages (Italian). A model of support for teachers is used to achieve desired objectives in school priorities and the Students at Educational Risk (SAER) and Talented and Gifted Students (TAGS) programs. As part of the SAER and TAGS programs, Support Teachers take groups of students experiencing literacy problems or in need of challenge respectively. These programs are also supported by the school's Learning Support Coordinator. Each year the school takes part in the National Simultaneous Storytime program in support of literacy. School Committees address all the curriculum learning areas for all students including a Students at Educational Risk Committee (SAER) which incorporates Gifted and Talented students(TAGS), a Values Committee, which incorporates Behaviour Management and Pastoral Care in the school, and a Drug Education Committee.The school has an automated, purpose- built library which is used by all students (from Kindergarten to Year 7). In 2008, the school will operate with fourteen classes with numbers ranging from twenty to thirty two students. The school population totals 342 students. The school has an ESL (English as a Second Language) Cell Visiting Teacher and an ESL Education Assistant to help students who have language difficulties. Non-teaching staff include a Registrar, a School Officer, Library Officer, five Kindergarten/Pre-primary Education Assistants, a Junior Primary Education Assistant, seven Education Assistants-Special Needs, a Gardener/Handyman and three cleaners. The school also 'employs' several Work for the Dole Program personnel as assistants in a variety of supervised roles as part of its whole of community focus. The school offers instrumental music lessons in clarinet and flute, which are provided by SIM ( the School of Instrumental Music). Ensembles perform as a feature item at school functions. The school has a school choir with enthusiastic student participation. All students have access to computers in classrooms as well as a computer laboratory of twenty computers used in conjunction with the Library/Resource Centre. All computers are networked and have access to the Internet. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) program in the school is very strong. As well as the school having a generous supply of new computers, staff are kept up to date with pedagogical change in ICT through ongoing professional learning. A 'Getting it Right '(GiR) Numeracy Specialist Teacher was appointed in 2008 to upskill teachers in strategies to improve numeracy standards. Additionally, students who are 'reluctant readers' receive assistance through the Support-a-Reader Program. This program is delivered by trained, volunteer parent tutors four days a week. A School Chaplain supports the school's Pastoral Care Program. Funding for this outstanding program has come from YouthCARE WA, the Parents and Citizens' Association, school resources and the Federal Government. This year is the school's third year of involvement with the School Volunteer Program. Four mentors visit the school on a regular basis to mentor specific students who will benefit from individual attention. Senior students provide leadership through the Student Parliament with students from Years 5-7 electing their peers to the roles of 'Premier' and the portfolios of 'Ministers' for Health and Physical Education, Science and Technology, The Arts, Environment and Communications. The school has a canteen which operates four days a week and is managed by the Parents and Citizens' Association (P&C). The School Council is composed of five parents elected from the P&C, two staff members and the Principal. It meets regularly to support the school community. Staff and parents have input into determining school priorities and strategies to achieve goals, through analysis of school data. School budget processes involve staff submissions of applications for funding. Prioritising and allocation of resources are then made by the school's Finance Committee in line with the School Plan and priorities. Parents are active participants in the education of their children in the school. | ||||
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