SCHOOL PROFILE

Hartwell Primary School was established in Camberwell in 1922 and is proud of the exceptional educational program provided for children in the local community over the past eighty-four years. The school enrolment which has been growing in recent years, with young families moving into the area, will be approximately 530 in 2007.

At Hartwell Primary School the students enjoy facilities which are not replicated in many primary schools. The original two storey red brick building includes nine spacious classrooms, literacy, numeracy and science resource centres, a modern administration and staff facility and an interview room. Eleven other air-conditioned classrooms, a well-equipped free standing library, an Art/Craft complex and the Performing Arts Centre ¡V Gymnasium, Music Room, Computer Laboratory, Canteen, Toilets and Out of Hours Program facilities, complete the accommodation.

The well - developed grounds have benefited from long term planning and have asphalt areas for netball, basketball, volleyball, bat tennis and rounders. There is an irrigated oval, a synthi-turf soccer / hockey field, a paved courtyard, quiet areas and a continuing emphasis on the provision of shade. Play equipment is provided for both junior and senior students. The school community prides itself on maintaining and improving these facilities through cooperative effort.

Hartwell Primary School is a school with a strong commitment to encouraging all students to strive for excellence in a supportive environment, which recognises individual differences and different rates and styles of learning. The school has an outstanding reputation for providing core skills in Literacy and Mathematics, as well as a broad education including emphasis on the Arts and Physical Education. In recent years the school has achieved above the means for Like Schools 2 in all strands of English and Mathematics. The extensive curriculum provided is based on VELS (Vic. Essential Learning Standards), which are complemented by specialist staff in Art / Craft, Music / Performing Arts, Physical Education, ICT, Library, Italian and Reading Recovery.

The school's learning program places an emphasis on the incorporation of Information and Communication Technology skills across all aspects of school life. All classrooms have five networked computers, and Year 2-6 students enjoy weekly lessons in the computer laboratory.

The Victorian Early Years Literacy and Numeracy Programs are incorporated in each Prep- Year 4 class with a wide range of resources and professional development opportunities enhancing the school's literacy and numeracy programs.

Students are encouraged to participate in literary, artistic, sporting, swimming and problem solving events beyond the school and have had a high success rate in these. 2006 brought successes in Tournament of Minds, tennis and Cross Country together with participation by the Drum Band, Choir and Recorder Consort in community events. Our Wakakirri children also have a chance to participate in one of our creative Wakakirri teams. Wakakirri is a nation- wide competition which spans over 6 categories: Story-Writing, Story-Telling, Story-Boarding, Story-Dance, Story-Singing and Story-Film.

The school has introduced many supportive Student Wellbeing initiatives. These are further enhanced through extension of student leadership opportunities, particularly in the senior years.

An Out of School Hours Program, offering Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care is well supported.

Parents play a key role in the school, working closely with classroom and specialist teachers to support their children's learning both within the school and at home. A class representative scheme facilitates communication and parent involvement within classrooms. Parents are also involved in the more formal structures of School Council, its sub committees and the Parents Association. The school benefits from the experience and skills of parents and links with the local community. Communication with the community includes a weekly newsletter, regular Principal-Parent morning teas, class notices, information evenings, parent teacher interviews and Parent Education Programs.

At Hartwell we expect our children to learn and grow in self-confidence as a result of:

- Becoming independent and self-motivated learners
- Achieving a solid grounding in Literacy, Numeracy and
Learning Technologies
- Acquiring decision making, problem solving and critical
thinking skills
- Learning the value of working as part of a team
- Showing tolerance and respect for others

A major challenge in the years ahead will be to manage the school enrolment at or close to its current level, to ensure that sufficient grounds and open spaces are available for the children.

The school’s future direction lies in the provision of a progressive and challenging curriculum that reflects the growing importance of science, technology and computer literacy, provides for individual differences and combines proven sound educational methodology with best current practice.