Located in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne, Reservoir West Primary School is one of a number of schools within close proximity of each other serving the Reservoir community. Eighteen different languages are present in what is a socially, economically and culturally diverse community. These languages include English, Arabic, Cantonese, Macedonian and Somali. The proportion of families in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance is 0.380, a figure that has remained stable since 2003. The school has a Student Family Occupation index of 0.6328 in 2009. Current enrolment from Prep to Year 6 is 232.4 students. The school is in the midst of a major redevelopment program with Stage 1, comprising a new library and a six-classroom Learning Area, completed in Term Three, 2007. The Library, which also includes a dedicated room for a bank of networked notebook computers and other ICT equipment and a new GPC wing comprising of six flexible, ICT-rich learning areas grouped around a common area have provided teachers and students with the opportunity to explore innovative methods of teaching and learning. Stage 2 received $3.6m of funding in the 2008/09 Victorian State Budget and building commenced in September, 2008. The staff are looking forward to utilising the new facilities in ways that fully express their emerging philosophy of learning, teaching, curriculum and assessment. Stage 2 comprises of a new Administration wing, a second GPC wing and a Gymnasium which incorporates specialist learning areas and a canteen.
Commencingin 2008, for the next three years Reservoir West Primary School will be involved in the Northern Metropolitan Region-sponsored David Hopkins-led “Achievement Improvement Zone” project, aimed at improving teacher pedagogy and student achievement. The school is also involved in the RWS Regeneration project, comprising of a number of primary and secondary schools and based on the provision of viable, sustainable and quality education for the students in the Reservoir and Whittlesea South districts.
Students are currently organised for learning in straight grades although there a number of composites formed as a result of variations in student numbers, however the new facilities will provide the opportunity for more flexible groupings of students and collaborative teaching. In 2009, there are ten home-groups, supported by four specialist teachers who work as a team to deliver a comprehensive curriculum. The Language Other Than English (LOTE) is Italian and the implementation of VELS has been consolidated. The school curriculum includes Music, Physical Education and Sport, Library, Visual Arts, ICT and English as a Second Language (ESL) support is also provided. A recently-implemented whole-school Welfare and Discipline policy has enabled students, teachers and parents to work together in a safe, secure and simulating environment where we can all strive for excellence.
Reservoir West Primary School provides a friendly and caring environment in which a love of learning is developed and personal growth and wellbeing for all students is enhanced. The following values and priorities underpin all that we do:
VALUES
Respect: for ourselves, others, the environment and diversity
Wisdom: to make appropriate decisions and dare to be innovative
Persistence: in continuing to strive for excellence in all that we do
Success: in life-long learning with a global perspective that encourages interpersonal relationships and being adaptable to change
PRIORITIES
· Developing high levels of student achievement in Literacy and Numeracy in small and flexible class groupings
· Providing seamless transition for students: Kinder-Prep, Year 6–7 and within the school
· Engaging students through the development of a strong sense of belonging, leadership qualities, resilience, motivation to learn and ability to direct their own learning
Commencing in 2007, Reservoir West Primary School underwent a complete rebuilding program that has provided a bright and modern architecturally-designed school equipped with facilities and equipment that allow teaching and learning to be flexible, engaging and stimulating. The completed Masterplan consists of four buildings: Library/ICT/Administration/Art Studio, Music/Gymnasium and two classroom wings with flexible learning areas. A large oval, shaded passive courtyards, extensive playground equipment, extensive hardcourt area and 2.4m security fence provide our students with a safe and secure environment.
THE CURRICULUM
The teachers and staff at Reservoir West are dedicated and committed to delivering well-prepared and challenging programs in all Domains of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. Programs marked * are conducted by a specialist teacher or professional instructor. Excursions and visiting performers enhance the units of work being studied.
Health and Physical Education
*Weekly PE and Health lessons
Inter-school Sport
*Swimming Program P-6
*Sports clinics
Camping Program 2-6
Healthy Eating program
Perceptual Motor Program
Personal Learning
Managing personal learning
The Arts
*Weekly Visual Arts lessons
*Weekly Music lessons
*Singing and Performance program
*School band
*Guitar lessons
*Senior and Junior Choirs
*Dance program
Biennial School Production
Language Other Than English – Italian
*Weekly Italian lessons
Italian Day
Intercultural awareness
Mathematics
Near-ability groupings across year levels
Support teachers and intervention programs
Extension programs
Communication
Listening, viewing, responding and presenting
Design, Creativity and Technology
Investigating and designing, producing, analysing and evaluating
Thinking
Developing higher-order thinking skills through carefully planned units of work
Interpersonal Development
Building social relationships, working in teams
Skills For Growing program
*Life Education program
*Non-denominational Religious Education (optional)
Regular cross-age days
Civics and Citizenship
Civic knowledge and understanding
Involving the students in community activities
English
Two-hour daily Literacy block for all classes
*Weekly Library lessons
*Reading Recovery
Near-ability groupings across year levels
Support teachers and intervention programs
Extension programs
Home Reading program
*English as a Second Language program
Humanities
Economic, Geographic and Historical knowledge and understanding
Theme-based units of work
Science
Classroom science activities
Visiting Science shows and excursions
ICT
*Weekly ICT lessons
Networked, Internet-able workstations in all Learning Areas
Interactive Whiteboards
Fixed data projectors, screens and speakers in all Learning Areas
A balance of experienced and younger teachers place an emphasis on providing individualised learning for our students in a team-oriented environment. All staff are committed to continued Professional Learning. The school achieved Accreditation as a Performance and Development Culture School in 2006.
Gender-inclusive compulsory school uniform is available from the school
Sunsmart School – School hats are compulsory Terms 1 & 4
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Accredited program conducted by Camp Australia
Before school: 7.00 – 8.45 a.m. Breakfast provided
After school: 3.30 – 6.00 p.m. Healthy snack provided
Fun, creative and educational activities are organised by our Co-ordinator
HOMEWORK
Students are provided with realistic and related tasks appropriate to their stages of development in order to develop sound work habits for the future.
Our School 
