Waratah West Public School

Waratah West Public School, situated on Awabakal land, has a small, diverse population of 120 students (current November 2024) and a strong collaborative partnership with community. The school draws students from a broad spectrum of the community. The school has four mainstream classes and three regional support class. We have 32 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and 11 students with English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D). Our Family Occupation and Education Index (FOEI) is currently 121. Our school partners positively with the local community, and the Muloobinbah Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) to ensure that Aboriginal culture and achievement is acknowledged and celebrated, with Aboriginal ways of knowing valued and embedded in school programs. At Waratah West Public School we believe children achieve the best educational outcomes when they receive inspired teaching, are embraced and celebrated by their schools and fellow students, and have the support of engaged families and friends. Waratah West Public School teachers and staff, in mainstream and specialist classrooms, are working with students with diverse abilities and needs to achieve remarkable outcomes.  Waratah West Public School provides all children, including those with atypical enrolment, and their families with an education that meets their individual needs. All students will access a rich learning environment with support tailored to their evolving needs, enabling them to connect, succeed and flourish.  At Waratah West Public school we aim to create a culture that celebrates diversity and builds on the strengths of each student.  We nurture professional learning communities that empower teachers to create optimum learning outcomes for students with diverse abilities and needs through the use of best practice approaches and current, evidence-based strategies. We place a strong emphasis on quality teaching in literacy and numeracy as well as collaborative teaching practices that develop the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of all students. The school has high expectations for every student and a commitment to engendering a genuine love of learning. Our staff are passionate, skilled and dedicated professionals who cater for individual students through quality practices developed through intensive research based professional learning. We understand that when children are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and choices, they will develop a strong sense of agency and lifelong learning. We prioritise student voice to increase engagement, achievement and wellbeing. We provide a strengths-orientated learning environment based on strong and deep relationships and mutual respect. We believe in providing children with opportunities to discover, to wonder, to investigate, to learn about themselves, others and the natural environment in an atmosphere that is harmonious and playful. Our focus on play based learning in the early years and learning in the outdoor environment K-6 results in improved engagement and wellbeing for every student. Feedback from students, staff, families and community indicate that these programs are highly valued and encourage imagination, cooperation, inclusion, resilience, problem solving and creativity. We maintain strong connections with University of Newcastle and are actively involved with Speech Pathology in Schools (SPinS), Quality Teaching and a range of other programs that support positive academic and social outcomes. Our involvement with the Children's University Program promotes the ethos of learning for life, and supports our students and families to be aspirational. Waratah West Public School is a member of the Callaghan Education Pathways (CEP), which comprises Callaghan College and its partner primary schools working together to provide: continuum of learning; specialised learning environments for the future; and innovative learning experiences. Please don't hesitate to contact us for further information or to discuss your child's education. Alternatively, look at our school website and Facebook page, which gives a fuller account of our rich learning environment.