Padstow+Heights+PS

Team Members: Janna Mcpherson, Tracey Cook, Shelaigh Simons 
 * __Padstow Heights PS __**
 * Project Coordinator/Facilitator: Lisa Dwyer **

__** Padstow Heights Public School has served the community for 54 years in South Western Sydney and enjoys a reputation for excellence in academic achievement, high standards in sport, performing and creative arts and strong community support. The school enrolments have grown over the last 10 years to over 400 students in 2009. Our highly skilled and committed staff ensure excellent learning outcomes for all students. This experienced team works closely to ensure a wide range of opportunities is afforded to all students. Our children belong to a school which has a friendly and caring environment. The school has an environment where each individual is challenged to meet their true potential. We, as a school, are committed to fostering in students a love of learning and equipping each individual with lifelong learning skills. This is achieved through well planned learning programs and high expectations. The students have had increased opportunities to develop their learning and interests across the six Key Learning Areas. The introduction of interactive whiteboards, provided by P&C funding, and increased implementation of new computer skills across all Key Learning Areas has launched the school into a new range of teaching and learning strategies. The school staff has combined with three other local schools in focusing on developing teaching strategies in motivating students to achieve optimum results. Padstow Heights Public School has an active parent body involved in many school activities. The strong collaborative links between the school and parents ensure that mutually agreed outcomes are obtained in a climate of shared understanding and goodwill.
 * __Context statement

What is the context within which the action inquiry is being implemented? Describe in terms of: · geographic, demographic, socio-economic, etc · literacy levels – eg: as measured/identified by school BST data, in-school assessment tasks, past/current projects implemented, other relevant data · individual and group learning needs as they relate to deep understanding