Forestville Public School

Forestville Public School was established in 1953 and is situated midway between the Northern Beaches and the North Shore of Sydney. Vast playing fields and extensive plantings of native and exotic trees and shrubs provide a most appealing learning environment. The school enjoys an outstanding reputation in the community and the parent school evaluation survey analysis reports a very high level of parental satisfaction. Enrolments have increased significantly over the last three years. A whole school approach and consistent implementation of effective student welfare programs such as Bounce Back, Circle Time and Restorative Practice create a positive learning environment for children to achieve their potential. Underpinning our school ethos is our SAGE Program (Student’s aiming high, giving it a go and encouraging others) and school behaviour code where children are asked to reflect on their behaviour, attitude and the key values of respect and responsibility. We believe the values and skills learnt in our student welfare programs provide valuable life skills the children can apply beyond the school setting to promote appropriate and positive social behaviour. Our teachers are dedicated professionals who work together to plan and program interesting, differentiated teaching and learning programs which enable all students with differing levels of achievement to maximise their full potential. Sustained quality professional learning enables teachers to apply best teaching practice in their classrooms. Teacher mentoring programs and collegial practices enable skill sharing to ensure that the teaching at Forestville Public School is high quality and reflects best practice. NAPLAN, school based assessment data and our student tracking data base is analysed to identify whole school targets to pursue whole school improvement. Strategies with a focus on student improvement are developed in collaboration with all staff. Strategies to improve student outcomes in literacy have included the implementation of Big Writing, a whole school writing program, Get Reading Right phonics program, Sound Waves spelling and the implementation of the Super Six Comprehension Strategies. Ongoing professional learning and explicit teaching practices are encouraged. Children requiring additional learning support in literacy are effectively supported through our tutoring support program and our English as a Second Language Program. Strategies to improve numeracy outcomes have included teacher professional learning in explicit teaching practices to engage the children in their learning through hands on activities and learning tasks designed to develop deep conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts. Children are encouraged to explain and record their understanding in their learning logs. Programs are differentiated to develop and challenge all children in their learning. To ensure mathematics programs remain significant for the children, learning tasks are related to real life problems. Forestville has a good academic record which is reflected in NAPLAN and school based data. Children participate in a wide variety of activities and learning opportunities. These include PSSA sport, Maths Olympiad, ICAS Competitions, school excursions and camps to the Basin, Bathurst and Canberra. Forestville has a very successful band program including a beginning, intermediate, concert and stage band. Our choir program along with our band program participate in Northern Sydney Region performances and school events. Debating teams have successfully participated in the Premier’s Debating Challenge. Children in K-2 participate in a weekly dance program for two terms and a gymnastic program for the remaining terms. Children from Years 2-6 are selected to be involved in mixed gender dance groups and also perform at regional events and school performances. Children in K-6 attend weekly music lessons provided by our specialist music teacher as well as weekly technology lessons provided by our specialist computer teacher in our dedicated computer lab. Classrooms are equipped with interactive technology to support and engage the children in their learning. Forestville enjoys strong links with its learning community through regular social events and community participation in fundraising, school events and parental involvement in classroom learning programs. Our active P&C meets twice a term and works productively with the school to enhance our learning environment, providing playground equipment, interactive technology and quality learning resources for the children. .