Bellaire Primary School
Victoria
Building teacher capacity
Bellaire Primary School staff have been innovative and creative in exploring quality teaching practice to provide the best outcomes for students.
The strong team approach has led to substantial improvements in students’ English and Mathematics outcomes. Coaches assist staff as they explore teaching in flexible open learning areas, try new teaching strategies, work and learn in teams and implement personalised learning for students.
The school’s commitment to supporting staff through a coaching model for teaching and learning has had a positive influence on teachers and the community and has laid the foundation for sustained change and improved student learning.
Birrong Girls High School
New South Wales
Literacy and numeracy
Birrong Girls High School is a leading example of a school dedicated to continued improvement.
Changes to classroom and teaching arrangements and professional learning programs targeting literacy and numeracy have led to significant growth in Year 7 and Year 8 achievement. Strong community support for the school is reflected in the increased enrolments in Year 7.
The school has drawn on research on quality teaching and adopted strategies to achieve impressive improvements in literacy and numeracy. Teachers and parents have a strong commitment to sustaining the strategies the school has implemented to achieve both academic excellence and success in other fields.
Boondall State School
Queensland
Sustainable school improvement
The commitment of Boondall State School to a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to sustainable school improvement has led to significant increases in student achievements.
University partnerships and the integration of literacy and technology and cross curricular programs have provided students with intellectual challenges. Participation in online events has led to significant improvements in writing and reading achievements. The chess development program has enhanced students’ social skills, strengthened practical mathematic concepts and boosted academic results.
The dedication of the staff to an agenda of continuous improvement, high community support and improved student attendance and retention underpins the success of the school.
Boulder Primary School
Western Australia
Building relationships to improve student achievement
Boulder Primary School has achieved considerable success in revitalising the school environment, improving student wellbeing and creating meaningful learning opportunities for students. Strong community relationships have vastly improved students’ understanding and appreciation of learning.
Students are excited about learning and have become confident and resilient problem solvers. Student welfare has improved substantially and parents are meaningfully engaged with the school and influence their child’s learning.
The community was inspired to become involved through school initiatives such as participative decision making, cultural nights, Circle of Friendship events and workshops.
Canberra College
Australian Capital Territory
Education of young parents
Canberra College has provided a remarkable alternative education program that has attracted young people back to schooling.
The flexible approach and strong community networks have enabled many young people to complete their education and maintain independent living skills while also equipping them for future employment.
The school conducts successful Individual Learning Programms for young pregnant and parenting students, enabling young people to realise their education potential. As a result of the commitment and enthusiasm of staff, many young people have returned to schooling and given themselves and their young families the best possible start in life.
Carroll College
New South Wales
Improved literacy
Carroll College’s Targeted Literacy Program for middle school years has led to major improvements in literacy and has provided education benefits to students across the curriculum.
Students’ understanding of the process of learning has assisted them to become more confident, to approach learning independently and to apply higher order thinking skills in their studies.
Teachers work collaboratively to implement quality teaching and learning strategies that address the literacy needs of individual students in all curriculum areas. Carroll College’s approach to literacy has extended and enriched student learning and created opportunities for student success.
Copperfield College
Victoria
Improving academic performance
Copperfield College has significantly improved students’ academic performance and increased the number of students going on to tertiary studies.
Staff, parents and students have created a learning environment where students succeed. Students are supported by supervised study periods, participation in mentor groups and study skill seminars. Along with higher student aspirations and academic achievements, attendance at Copperfield College has increased markedly.
The endeavours of staff and leaders across the college, the restructure of school timetables, review of policies and introduction of comprehensive professional support for students has created an environment that values performance and celebrates excellence.
Eastwood Heights Public School
New South Wales
Mathematical and technological innovation
Eastwood Heights Public School has dramatically improved student learning outcomes in numeracy. A strong focus on technology and mathematics has transformed the school into an innovative learning community.
Learning numeracy through technologies has been the catalyst for creative and exciting teaching and learning opportunities. Academic performance has improved remarkably and students’ self esteem, decision making skills, critical thinking and technological and communication skills have strengthened.
A restructure of the school environment, professional growth of teachers and learning partnerships with parents have established Eastwood Public School as a high achieving school.
Keithcot Farm School
South Australia
New learning opportunities
Keithcot Farm School has considerably improved learning opportunities for students.
An inspiring Japanese language and international program has enriched students’ learning experience. The establishment of a middle school, a support program for students with special needs, new curriculum offerings and improved technology have all significantly contributed to greater student engagement.
The leadership team has taken the school in new directions and increased the attractiveness of the school to students and families.
Solomontown Primary School
South Australia
School community wellbeing
The Solomontown Primary School community has worked enthusiastically to provide pathways to successful learning for all students. Its focus on the wellbeing of students, staff and families has had a strong impact on student achievement.
Students have formed strong relations with their peers and teachers, behaviour referrals have reduced, attendance has increased, student involvement in a range of community events has expanded and literacy and numeracy results have improved.
The school’s commitment to fostering social, personal and academic outcomes has given students a more positive attitude to school and established a strong foundation for future study.
St Paul the Apostle Primary School, Winston Hills
New South Wales
Social skills development
St Paul the Apostle Primary School has implemented highly effective and innovative pastoral care strategies which have had a significant impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of students.
The success of the strategies is reflected in positive changes to student behaviour and significant improvement in social skills for many special needs students. Anti-bullying strategies, playground incentives and social skills development activities across the school have increased positive student interactions in classrooms and the playground.
This outstanding work has created a safe and stimulating environment for all students.
St Thomas the Apostle Primary School
Australian Capital Territory
Effective support for literacy learning
St Thomas the Apostle Primary School’s focused approach to literacy and the work of the Learning Support Assistants has led to marked improvements in reading results across the school.
Changes to literacy teaching were based on extensive research and data on student literacy learning needs. Teaching strategies moved from withdrawing students for intensive sessions to small group work in the classroom. Comprehensive professional learning, implementation of collaborative and reflective practices and extensive involvement of parents and learning assistants have made a significant difference to the lives of all students at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School.
Torquay Primary School
Victoria
Building capacity for cultural understandings
The introduction of Indigenous studies to the Torquay Primary School curriculum has had a profound effect on the whole school community.
Through the Bierr (Corroboree) initiative, students and teachers take part in cultural activities that strengthen links with the local Indigenous community. Storytelling, drama, dance and artistic pursuits have all served to foster an appreciation of cultural differences and a sharing of traditional knowledge and skills.
The learning environment at the school is extremely positive, students are highly motivated and there is a notable improvement in Indigenous students’ and boys’ interaction with learning initiatives.
Wallan Primary School
Victoria
School approach to literacy and numeracy
Wallan Primary School has achieved remarkable improvements in reading, writing and numeracy results from Prep to Year 6. Students have surpassed the school’s targets and results are equal to or exceed state norms.
The involvement of teachers in the development of the school’s new directions and their commitment to professional learning have led to more effective teaching across the school. Student attendance and wellbeing have improved significantly.
Family participation in literacy and numeracy events, links with Koorie families and shared professional learning with regional schools have strengthened community ties and expanded learning opportunities for students.