Newport Gardens Primary School has been in the same spot for more than six decades, but plenty has changed over that time.
Since becoming principal at the start of last year, we have seen 14 new classrooms added, along with an art room with a kiln, a gymnasium and library.
We also have a fully functional kitchen and, as part of our horticulture program, an expansive vegetable garden. Students are able to learn garden-to-table principles and understand the nutritional value of food they prepare.
Sport is an important part of our school so we have dedicated large sections to its pursuit, including a soccer field and a football-cricket oval, as well as indoor and outdoor basketball-netball courts.
I am in favour of adopting a rigorous approach to education, through engaging students in meaningful and targeted work suited to their individual learning styles.
Our school believes strongly in providing explicit teaching in core subjects of literacy and numeracy, complementing these with a wide and varied approach to inquiry-based learning.
This year, we aim to provide each child in grades 3 and 4 with their own laptop and, by next year, extend the provision to grades 3 to 6 students.
Term four has begun, but there still may be some parents deciding which school to enrol their prep child for next year. Parents are most welcome to enrol their child and take a tour with myself or the assistant principal. I encourage parents to contact the office to avoid missing out on our transition program starting shortly.
