Superintendent's News

Quality Education - Public Education NSW

Why Public Schools?

 Penrith and Blue Mountains public schools continue to deliver quality education to develop the individual talents, interests and abilities of all students. 

 Our public schools provide a vibrant and responsive public education system that produces well-educated citizens with the capacity and confidence to succeed in the 21^st century.

Penrith and Blue Mountains public schools continue to provide:

World class education and training programs - the public system sets the direction and standard for education across NSW for everyone

Quality teaching - highly educated, skilled and dedicated workforce

A responsive and flexible education - broad and relevant educational programs meeting student, community and business needs

Values, care and citizenship - safe and nurturing learning environments that develop respect, understanding and responsibility. Public Education provides a well-rounded education that values and supports the intellectual, creative, physical, social and emotional development of every child.

Choice and diversity - broad range of opportunities catering for individual needs and interests

A fair go for all - environments where all students, regardless of background, can realise their full potential

Local accountability – to meet local needs and statewide standards

Competitive outcomes - by any standard our results are outstanding

Unrivalled community links – greater opportunities for your child

The public school system is fortunate to have unrivalled partnerships with universities, TAFEs, government agencies, industry and community organisations. This means that public school students are easily able to develop the foundations for lifelong learning that prepare them for further education and the world of work.

 Your local public school system ensures students have appropriate information and communications technologies (ICT) skills to meet their educational and vocational needs.

Your local public schools emphasise a common set of values

The values that we teach in our public school system and believe are important for our students to adopt are:

• Love of learning

• Aiming for high standards

• Care and respect for ourselves and others

• Care and respect for families and communities

• Respect for work

• To be proud Australians and citizens of the world

A well resourced system of schools serving Penrith and Blue Mountains communities 

Penrith District ranges from Mt Victoria in the west to Claremont Meadows and Kurrambee School in the east and from Wallacia in the south to Llandilo in the north and covers four local government areas.

The Penrith District provides a comprehensive and world-class education for 23,760 students in 60 schools supported by 1452 full-time teachers and administrative staff.

This District includes:

• 46 primary schools;

• 10 comprehensive high schools;

• 1 selective high school

• 3 opportunity classes for identified gifted and talented students in Years 5 and 6;

• 35 special education support classes for primary schools;

• 26 special education support classes for secondary schools;

• 2 special schools;

• Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre, and

• funding to support 539 students with special needs in mainstream classes.

In the Penrith District many students benefit from a strong Reading Recovery Program.

Over 1000 students from public schools are undertaking Vocational Education Courses at school or through TAFE. 

Our students receive unrivalled support at every public school

 Penrith District schools are supported by a highly experienced team who provide a great range of program support to students, staff and where appropriate, parents and school communities.  This support is unique to the public school system and in our district covers the following areas: 

• Training and Development / Curriculum

• Student Services and Equity Programs

• Personnel and Staff Support

• Properties

• General Administration

The District Professional Support / Curriculum team provides specific support to our schools in :

• Literacy

• Numeracy / Mathematics

• Science

• Creative Arts

• Vocational Education, and

• Technology advice and support.

  Exciting new projects to support learning in all local public schools include:   

• Helping students with their reading by the specialized training of local teachers in Reading Recovery;Teaching of writing in an effective way;

• An innovative pilot program between schools and Penrith City Council using students’ Information Technology skills;

• Use of digital video as a means of teaching and learning in primary classes

• Practical learning activities in primary schools with science and technology;

• Ways of sharing children’s Kindergarten to Year 6 creative arts learning with high schools;

• Specialised training for primary teachers to add to their skills in creative arts

• Workshops for public schoolteachers of  HSC English and Maths

Every public school student is given the opportunity to achieve

The Student Services and Equity team has the key role of supporting schools to provide equitable access to curriculum for all students enrolled in our schools.  Programs include student counseling, disability program support, Aboriginal education programs, multicultural education, support for students from non-English speaking backgrounds, drug education, gender equity and anti-discrimination programs. 

Local and accountable education

The NSW Public Education system is recognized as a leader in literacy, educational technology and vocational education.

State-wide Basic Skills Testing supports teachers in primary schools to assess, monitor and take action to improve students’ literacy and numeracy.

In secondary schools the English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA) for Years 7 and 8 students and the Secondary Numeracy Assessment Programs (SNAP) gives teachers a detailed picture of students’ progress, allowing them to tailor teaching to students’ needs.

A significant focus for the District team is supporting schools to address learning needs identified in the Basic Skills Tests, English Literacy and Language Assessment, and Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program tests.

Our results are outstanding by any measure

Public school students across the Penrith District who sat the 2001 Higher School Certificate were amongst students who gained top marks in a wide range of courses, including core subjects, the arts, technology and languages.

One hundred and two students from nine District high schools were included on the Distinguished Achievers List in 2001, thirty-six of these students in more than one subject.

Over the years public schools have produced national leaders and leaders in their chosen field of endeavour, but most importantly, our schools have provided millions of Australians with the skills to achieve their personal goals.

Our public schools ensure that every child, regardless of race, religion, gender or ability, is provided with access to the highest quality education and opportunities.

We welcome all young people into our schools and teach them how to live together in harmony, respecting the values, beliefs and way of life of others.

For more information about your great local public schools…

All schools welcome enquiries from parents, and principals are happy to:

• provide information about enrolling your child in a government primary or secondary school, and

• explain the educational opportunities and programs provided for young people in their schools.

If you would like more information, copies of the “Parents Guide to Schools” are available from our office, please call 4724 8799.

Or visit our website at www.schools.nsw.edu.au.

David Phipps