School Overview
WILLMOTT PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
Willmott Park Primary opened in 1995 with just over 100 students and has grown to around 600 students in 2009. The school currently has a teaching & non teaching staff of over 50.The demographic continues to change with an increasing diversification of family background and culture that brings a rich & positive perspective for the community. There is an increasing demand for OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) places that is housed in a new free-standing, purpose-built & well equipped facility. The school is just over 12-years old and recent upgrade in 2007-8 provided 4-new permanent classrooms, a computer lab, fitness room (to compliment the gymnasium) and enhancement to the library. During 2009 a further building $3M building program will commence to replace six existing portable classrooms with 6-new modern classrooms and additional workspaces. Two new prep level outdoor learning areas have been created to compliment developmental curriculum. These areas include veggie gardens, sand pits, cubby houses and a large outdoor work space.
Staff professional learning has been a significant priority focusing with a 5-year plan in place that focuses on improving learning outcomes with literacy & numeracy. This continued focus on teaching & learning, teacher performance & development and improving student learning outcomes are prominent in both the strategic & annual implementation plans. A representative working party embarked on a program to review staff Performance & Development, Professional Learning and curriculum support delivery. The recommendations from the working party have been implemented in 2009.
Specialist programs for all students include Physical Education, Science, and Visual Arts & Music. A Deaf Facility operates within the school that has 8-students enrolled. The hearing impaired students are integrated into classes and supported by the facility staff. To compliment to the Deaf Facility, Auslan (the signed language of the deaf) has been introduced as our Language Other Than English (LOTE).
Rapid changes in technology in schools has provided many challenges that include maintaining a computer to student ratio access at a least 1:4 across the school , enhancements to our ICT lab, keeping abreast with ICT advances and providing meaningful and appropriate integration of ICT into student learning opportunities. Interactive LCD televisions are fitted in many classrooms and will expand over the next 2 years to compliment teaching & learning thus taking Willmott Park to the forefront of technology in schools.
A variety of curriculum support programs operate that include MAD (Make a Difference years 3-6), ESL, Speech Therapy, Rocket Reading (years 1 & 2) and Hands on Learning and Developmental Curriculum in Prep. A wide variety of lunchtime programs (choir, band, Taekwondo, gym, chess and computer etc.) continue to support student engagement. Extra-curricular programs are a big feature that include HPV (Human Powered Vehicle), competition aerobics & hip hop dance teams, Tournament of Minds and a year 3-6 electives program that includes cooking, dance, jewellery making, drawing, gardening, craft, golf, graphics, Italian, self defence, literacy legends, sewing & trivia.
Willmott Park is an exemplary school that continues to build teacher capacity through ongoing professional learning and careful recruitment. And at the same time presents a balanced curriculum and a structured and equitable student management process. The Willmott Park staff are committed, parents supportive and the students very well managed. A shared leadership model operates that devolves responsibility across a broad range of responsibilities. The school has a culture where everybody is learning, innovation is seen as the norm and challenges seen as opportunities.
