Wallarano Primary School

alue the effort they have put towards that achievement. At Wallarano, we believe children will only reach their full learning potential when they are in an environment where they experience humour, strong personal connections and receive explicit instruction that makes sense and is purposeful. All students are taught and encouraged to develop social skills such as appropriate interactions, co-operation, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. Wallarano is a Great School made up of Great People – students, teachers, support staff and parents. I invite you to come along to our school for a personal tour so you can make up your own mind! Please ring to make an appointment for a tour
Gail Doney

Principal
97981055


Wallarano Primary School is a large multicultural primary school situated in Noble Park. The school services a culturally rich community. Over the years, the school community has developed special purpose facilities to enhance the teaching and learning program and the options available for children. These include:- Information & Communications Technology, junior computer lab, Reading Recovery, Speech Therapy, EAL withdrawal, Integration/Bridges, Meeting/Interview room, Math’s/Literacy Assistance, Hall/Gym, Performing Arts, sports equipment, conference and community rooms and two Film studios (Green Rooms) for audio visual/multimedia. The school’s staffing profile includes 3 Principal Class, 3 Leading Teachers, 30 classroom Teachers, 7 Specialist Teachers; 1Reading Recovery teacher, 1 Speech Therapist, I Psychologist/Welfare Officer, 3 Part time Teachers and 24 Educational Support Staff members. Wallarano provides an educational environment that facilitates flexible, innovative, interactive teaching and learning. An environment that is preparing for the future needs of students and fosters positive attitudes towards learning, high expectations, risk taking, collaboration and the total development of each child. The Wallarano culture values and respects the strengths, efforts and contributions of all members of the school community and promotes open effective communication. Wallarano is a school that emphasizes Ambition, Achievement and Pride! Wallarano is committed to providing an exemplary approach to 21st Century learning with the focus being on building the confidence and capacity of the individual learner - empowering students to have a sense of their own effectiveness and value as a learner - using learning styles, effective learning behaviours, concentration, self-management and resilience. Wallarano has continued to financially support the 21st Century Learning direction of the School Strategic Plan with technology upgrades and the development of appropriate learning spaces. In 2014, additional iPads were purchased to support students’ access to information and the development of creativity and design via technology. Years 4, 5 and 6 have been resourced with 1-1 portable devices to enhance 21st Century Learning. Additional iPads have been allocated across the other year levels to give students greater access to devices to enhance teaching and learning. The Student Filming Program – CineClub was well resourced and financed throughout the year. Building works were undertaken at the end of 2014 to provide and improve open learning spaces in the original school building (Building A), and the mod 5 portables which are more conducive to 21st Century Learning. Additional works included air-conditioning of the hall and oval works. The schools financial position is in surplus with money carried forward to ensure our continued development of the facilities and resources required by our students and teachers. Wallarano has experienced great success in student engagement through the implementation of a number of initiatives such as inquiry learning, student goal setting and building its practices in the use of technology. Every student’s educational path, curriculum, instruction, and schedule is personalised to meet her/his learning needs. The school has achieved outstanding results in this area through giving high priority to the emotional and social development and wellbeing of all students. Student attendance is at an oustanding level with every year level having a 94% or higher attendance rate for the year. Student connectedness to school is eqivalent to the state median. This is clear evidence that Wallarano students are engaged in their learning and feel safe and secure in the school environment. Strategies include; education and communication with parents, constant monitoring of attendance by classroom teachers and ensuring school is a safe, engaging place for all students.The school provides an open and friendly community. Having a positive partnership with parents is a high priority and is achieved through information sessions; Parenting Tips published fortnightly in the school newsletter, Parenting Education sessions, Training of Bridges tutors, Ongoing English classes offered to NESB group and displays of Community access to school. Parent satisfaction with the school is extremely high. The knowledge that emotional intelligence is the key predictor of who will succeed in life motivates teachers at Wallarano, in every classroom, to work with children in developing the essential skills of: Self-awareness; Self-control; Self-motivation; Awareness of others (Empathy); and Handling relationships. The development of social competency, effective self-management and sound values is of great benefit to all students. Teachers help children develop social competency, considerate and reasoned behaviour and a lasting sense of well-being. Of great importance for emotional development and a high level of academic progress is the relationship between teachers and students. Wallarano places a huge priority on developing rapport, building personal relationships and creating a classroom of friendly children. Children learn to their full potential when they are confident, relaxed and have a strong sense of belonging. Wallarano has a number of programs specifically targeted in these areas. Public Speaking is taught in every grade 6 to give children confidence and skills in communicating effectively in public situations; the Student Leadership Program encourages students to take ownership and responsibility for the direction and running of the school; the M-Power Girls Program teaches girls to deal assertively with the complicated dynamics of female relationships; The Wilson McCaskill Program ‘Play is the Way’ teaches boys and girls positive strategies to channel their energy and to set positive and achievable goals for themselves - Social and emotional learning is developed by using guided play, classroom activities and an empowering language-behaviour education. Skills are taught to help children to understand their behaviour and manage their feelings in a socially acceptable manner.