Gordonvale State School has been providing an educational service for Gordonvale and surrounding districts since 1897. Surrounded by rich, fertile agricultural lands, Gordonvale is a sugar town with a population of approximately 4,500. Gordonvale is located 23 kilometres south of Cairns and is within the boundaries of the Cairns Regional Council.
�Gordonvale State School forms part of the Far No
rth Queensland Region of Education Queensland. Our vision for Gordonvale State School students is centred on creating active and informed citizens for the 21st Century. Our vision identifies five key areas for building the citizenship skills of our students. These areas are Positive Identity and Relationships; Thinking, Reasoning and Communicating; Creativity; Citizenship and Democratic Processes and Sustainability. These fundamental principles and values are encapsulated in the Five Citizens Roles: Healthy Citizen; Creative Citizen; Eco Citizen; Informed Citizen and Democratic Citizen. In order to achieve our vision we are growing a culture based upon a positive caring environment; high standards of work, behaviour and uniform; innovative and individualised learning pathways and high levels of student support.
�Gordonvale State School is committed to achieving quality learning outcomes for all students. The school provides a gifted and talented program, early intervention programs, learning and special needs support. Sustainability education is a curriculum component of the school with the school gaining recognition of these programs by winning many and varied sustainability awards including the 2010 Greenest and Healthiest School in Queensland,the 2011 Premier's ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards and the prestigous 2012 Wet Tropics Management Authority Young Cassowary Award. The Young Cassowary Awards recognise outstanding contributions that students make to the conservation and presentation of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. The extra/co-curricula activities include Student Leadership, Instrumental Music, Excelsior Program, Robotics Program, Junior and Senior Choir, Permaculture Program, Gordonvale's Got Talent Program, Chaplaincy Program, Master LOTE and Skipping Sugar Sticks Team as well as all major sports. Explicit instruction is our key teaching methodology. This methodology consists of Warm Up, I Do, We Do, You Do and Ploughing Back phases in each lesson. All teachers across the school are coached in the methodology which ensures consistency across the school. Foundation programs for spelling, mental maths and writing are used across the school resulting in improved spelling and writing results on NAPLAN. The school has an intensive reading program focussing on the core components of reading.
�Managing student behaviour at Gordonvale State School is based on the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support approach. Our Student Code of Conduct outlines our system for facilitating positive behaviours. Through our school plan shared expectations for student behaviour are plain to everyone, assisting Gordonvale State School to create and maintain a positive and productive learning environment. All school community members have clear and consistent expectations and understandings of their role in the educational process. Our school community has identified the school rules to teach and promote our high standards of responsible behaviour. The school rules are captured in the slogan "Be a Safe, Respectful Learner”.
�During 2009-2012 the school went through major renovations which included renovations to classrooms and the building of the Multipurpose Hall. The teaching facilities consist of 3 Prep classrooms, 24 general teaching classrooms, a resource centre, 3 computer labs, a learning support centre, a special needs facility, an arts/music centre, and undercover play area. Teaching blocks are fully air-conditioned, have computer access and are linked to the information technology network.
�The school has a long established history of community engagement and service, which is evident by our strong community links and partnerships with community organisations. The Parents and Citizens Association plays a vital and active role in the school assisting with strategic directions, community partnerships, events and fundraising projects. The Parents and Citizens Association supports the school by providing a full-time tuckshop, a uniform shop and funding for school resources and infrastructure projects.
