Blacktown North Public School

Blacktown North Public School is located to the north of the Blacktown Central Business District adjacent to Blacktown Boys High School and Blacktown Girls High School. The school has well maintained buildings containing large carpeted classrooms and an assembly hall. Our classes operate in air-conditioned comfort! The buildings are set within large, well presented grounds which include playing fields, an environmental area, basketball court, games area and limited off-street parking. The physical surrounds provide a pleasant environment where children and their parents are welcomed and the interaction of staff members contributes to making 'Young Australians - Great Australians'. Our school is unique in many ways. Over 96% of our children come from countries other than Australia, new arrivals make up 15%-20% of the school enrolment, 43% of the school population are Phase 1 ESL students and 24% of students at the school have refugee backgrounds. The school aims to provide a positive and safe environment where students and their families feel welcome and where parents are an integral part of their child's education and their contribution to their child's education is recognised. The core values of our school are tolerance, respect, honesty and truthfulness, care and compassion, a fair go, doing our best and dignity. We spend a great deal of time implementing our behaviour management policies and ensuring a consistent approach from all staff. This has led to a school community which operates on acceptance and tolerance. It has also led to a student body recognised for the quality of student behaviour in many situations. The school plays an important role in the community by supporting parents and students enrolling at our school with limited background knowledge of the education system within NSW. The school has implemented strategies to enhance student learning including Literacy on Track, Accelerated Literacy, Literacy and Numeracy Leaders Program, Team leadership for School Improvement and Live Life Well. An analysis of student performance data shows that Blacktown North Public School is successful in promoting learning growth, particularly in Literacy, Writing and Numeracy where student achievement grows faster than the NSW state average. The academic and social needs of all students are met through a wide range of teaching and learning programs that support each student. Extra-curricular activities include Multi-Cultural Day, Leadership courses at Longneck Lagoon, Life Education, Science Enrichment Days, Art Days, Sports Clinics and Carnivals. These provide an opportunity for students to interact socially, to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge to become successful life-long learners.