Albert Park Primary School

Albert Park Primary School is located in the inner bay-side municipality of the City of Port Phillip. In 2007 the enrolment of 378 students was drawn from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultures and has increased from 278 in 2001. There are 16 classes operating in four VELS levels.

Melbourne Map showing school location

Due to the large growth in student enrolments, the school currently is implementing an enrolment strategy developed in conjunction with Middle Park, Port Melbourne and St Kilda Park Primary Schools. This strategy attempts to ease the pressure on the school's physical resources. This is important given the limited space available on the site occupied by the school. Its historic building, dating from 1873, has been upgraded and refurbished and provides large, light-filled and attractive classrooms.

During 2005 the school's facilities were increased with the addition 3 portable classrooms to cope with the increase in enrolment. A further two mod 5 classrooms were added over the last 3 years .In September 2004, the school reclaimed a small triangle of land behind the Wesleyan hall, which had been used by Port Phillip Council as a playground. We have two teachers' working spaces in the main building and nine classrooms. Our physical resources are stretched due to the popularity of the school.

A new library and arts centre was completed in 1998 and the Out of Schools Hours Program operates from the Wesleyan Hall. Camp Australia runs this program. Learning technology, combining computer use, internet and other communication technologies, have been introduced forming an integral part of curriculum delivery and support. Each classroom has a large bank of networked computers. All teachers have notebooks and the whole school has wireless connectivity.

In 2001, the School Council commissioned a multi- stage Master Plan for the school grounds, In 2005 synthetic grass was installed on the mini oval and a third playground was built. A new perimeter fence and secure bike stalls were erected. The replastered walls of Wesleyan Hall were painted.

In 2001, Albert Park Primary School was listed as belonging to like school group 8, in 2006 like school group 3, moving into group 2. The school has steadily experienced a change in its demographics during the past three years, with a decline in educational maintenance allowance recipients and a slight decrease in non-English speaking background. Albert Park Primary School maintains its strong student numbers across all levels of the school.

A sense of community is an important feature of Albert Park Primary School. The school recognises the importance of the local community and values a collaborative partnership in the delivery of education. Students, staff and parents participate in a wide range of programs to support, enhance and develop community relations. There are many fundraising events in the school year. A major fundraiser is the Community Fair in April and Rotary Book Fair. Community involvement in the classrooms is high with programs such as Parents as Helpers and Information Evenings, informing the community. The number of classroom teachers and specialist programs has increased along with the rapid enrolment growth. The staff is open and approachable, working with parents in classroom programs and out of school activities, further developing a sense of community. Staff members are committed to ongoing learning, and to attend professional development programs to enhance and strengthen classroom programs.

At Albert Park Primary School students are treated as individuals and encouraged to develop to their full potential and to do their best at all times. The school encourages respect for the rights of others to be safe, to be treated with fairness and to learn.

Positive student behaviour and attitudes are reinforced through the Student Management Policy. A values program is an integral part of this. All children are provided with the opportunity to socialise with children of different age groups and cultural backgrounds. Clubs such as J Rock, Running, Dancing, Drawing and Library, operate at lunch times, to enable students to pursue their individual interests. Instrumental music lessons are out-sourced and run outside school times.

The school also ensures appropriate resources and time are provided for all key learning areas to be covered comprehensively. Programs that actively support curriculum include swimming, excursions, school camps, student well-being, a buddy program and a highly organised transition program (both kindergarten to prep and years 6 to 7).

Parent - teacher information nights are held early in the year and interviews are held mid-year and on occasions when required. Two written reports for parents are provided for each child annually. The school has fully implemented VELS and POLT and uses the new Quick Vic reporting software for all domains.

Individual Learning Improvement plans are developed for students who are achieving above or below the expected level. Class programs are structured so that students are able to work in small groups.