Ethos

At Bunbury Primary School we value the uniqueness of our children and acknowledge that they all have a range of qualities which enhance the school learning environment and contribute to the school culture. We try and weave this belief through all that we do.

Bunbury Primary currently boasts an extensive and very impressive Music and Visual Arts programmes. A specialist teacher is responsible for each of these areas. The school has a long tradition of Art and Music excellence and achievements. Students, supported by the school, have won many prestigious group and individual awards over a number of years.

The Bunbury School Board plays a vital role in assisting the school to make decisions about school planning and policies. Bunbury Primary Schoo lBoard is very strong with a large proportion of the Board being made up of parents and a community member. The Principal and two staff representatives also form part of the Board.

The P & C Association plays an integral role in school activities and projects. These have included organising school uniform purchases and sales, assisting with the running of the library and canteen, a whole school air conditioning project, contributing funds to support educational programmes and being involved in classroom educational learning programmes. The P&C have a very active and successful fund raising committee.

Reporting to parents and caregivers is seen as an essential part of the learning process. The school utilises various methods for reporting to parents including two formal written reports each year. A broad range of formal and informal oral and written communication strategies are also used throughout the year.

We acknowledge that students learn in many different ways and we have, as a consequence, developed strategies to identify multiple intelligences and learning styles. We value diversity and inclusive education for all students and believe that all students have the right to a quality education.

Our school promotes a range of activities geared toward developing student awareness of sustainable practices that all members of the community can become involved with.

Developing leadership capacity and potential in our students is viewed as important and underpins aspects of school programmes. Giving children opportunities to take responsibility and to lead others not only prepares them to play a role in the community but serves to develop positive attitudes and understandings.

The school provides support for students at educational risk, both underachieving and talented and gifted students. Where necessary, individual education plans (IEP) are developed by classroom teachers. These plans are designed to meet the individual needs of any student at risk.

Where staffing allowances permit, the school offers teachers and children hands on support in the areas of literacy and numeracy. This time, when available, targets children at greatest risk across all year levels.

The School Volunteers Programme is a state-wide, privately funded project. For our school, it involves members of the greater Bunbury community mentoring children at school. As members the Programme, volunteers receive training and must have a police clearance in order to provide some oneon- one time with identified children. Where a child can be involved in this programme their parents are asked if they would like to access it and are kept informed. The school (with the help of the P and C) meets the costs associated with accessing this programme.

Children in our school are encouraged to participate in a range of competitions at local, state and national levels. Participation is not compulsory and school-based support is provided wherever possible. Often a small fee for participating children is associated with these competitions.

The school recognises its role in developing students and coordinates and communicates with relevant outside agencies to ensure that students have every support opportunity available to them to assist with their learning. The district education office also offers a support service to schools.

An Out of School Care service is provided locally five days per week. A bus from Bunbury Out of School Care Services collects students from Bunbury Primary School. Students are supervised by school staff until the bus arrives. The Out of School Care Service offers art & crafts, indoor & outdoor activities, excursions and more. Their phone number is 9795 4004, if you have any enquiries.

Each primary classroom in the school has a bank of five computers. The banks of computers enable all classrooms to have access to email, Internet, library and curriculum servers. The pre-primary have two on line computers. Each classroom is able to share and access information, publish on the school intranet and have access to the library (using E-Library). Laser printers are available in different locations around the school with a coloured laser printer available for special projects.