Education tailored for each student

At Grahamvale Primary School, all students are encouraged to be confident, lifelong learners who can form strong and positive relationships with others.

The school is dedicated to tailoring the educational experience to each individual student.

Principal Luke Simpson said learning was about working together, and the school boasted a productive partnership between teachers, parents and students.

“We pride ourselves on the sense of community we have here and the family environment,” Mr Simpson said.

“We have parent helpers and encourage them to work with us, as well as through additional sports days and excursions — it’s a partnership”.

This inclusivity begins early at Grahamvale, with a personal approach to the enrolment process.

“We work in partnership with the parents from Foundation and o er a strong transition program so the students have many opportunities to visit the school before the statewide orientation day.”

In partnership with Best Start, the school also provides a weekly opportunity for future students to join a reading session.

“Before they even walk in the door we have a really good understanding of the children, so they feel comfortable,” Mr Simpson said.

Each year, future Foundation students meet their Year 6 buddies prior to starting school to ensure they feel welcome.

“Buddies introduce themselves to their parents, so they have that sense of connection with them from the start, and they’re great and very supportive of them in the yard,” Mr Simpson said, Grahamvale has an emphasis on developing the whole child, socially, emotionally and academically.

“There are lots of opportunities for technology in the junior rooms and in Years 3 to 6 we have a bring-your-own¬ device iPad program,” Mr Simpson said.

Junior and senior students have access to Beebots, Ozobots, iPads and laptops as part of their STEM learning program. PE and Art provide fantastic opportunities for development of students’ creativity and health and wellbeing.

“To lay the foundations for success in literacy, we have a strong focus on the building blocks to reading, including systematic phonics instructions and evidence-based teaching and learning,” Mr Simpson said.

“We also have a strong focus around student voice and agency”.

“Students are encouraged to discuss what they are learning linked to the Learning Intention and Success Criteria of their lessons to build their confidence and understanding.”