Telopea Public School

Telopea Public School is a small community school located in the Dundas Valley near Parramatta City in the Greater Sydney Area. Telopea is the botanical name for the Waratah, the state flower of New South Wales and is represented on our school logo. Students enrolled at Telopea Public School are from diverse backgrounds, currently 70% of students enrolled at the school are from Non English Speaking Backgrounds. Telopea Public School prides itself and its students for caring and cooperative behaviour characterised by the inclusion and support offered to newly arrived students in the school. Due to the redevelopment of the suburb by Housing NSW student numbers prior to 2011 were following a declining trend, student numbers have increased to 61 in 2012 and the school is projecting a gradual enrolment increase over the next few years based upon projections from the community housing officer. All staff at Telopea Public School work as a team to ensure that all students have access to programs and support ensuring that students perform well. The school runs additional support programs in literacy, mathematics and language to assist students and undertake ongoing professional learning to build their own capacity to support students. The school staff and community also offer a range of cultural, sporting and social programs designed to provide a balanced education to all our students, with the aim of not only ensuring academic success but also to build knowledge and experience for all students . In 2012 these programs have included a school camp at Milson’s Island available to all students in years 4-6, participation in the combined schools choir, participation in Regional sporting events, training in NRL, AFL and Gymnastics and a whole school production of a Christmas Pantomime. Currently the school community is constructing a school edible garden possible because of a joint partnership with the Australian Red Cross. Telopea Public School hosts the School as Community Centre (SaCC) for the Dundas area. This program provides support and training programs for parents of children aged between 0 and 8 years and operates five days per week. Through the SaCC a breakfast program is run twice per week. Incorporating technology into classroom practice is a continuous focus of the school. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards and our library hosts a computer lab. Students at Telopea Public School are encouraged to take on leadership roles and develop a sense of community service through programs like Peer Support, Kindergarten Mentoring and Roving Readers. The Student Representative Council meets once a month to organise fundraising activities for our World Vision child and other worthwhile charities. Our spacious and attractive grounds allow for outdoor learning opportunities and sporting activities such as basketball, football, volleyball and cricket. A bus service is available for students to attend Before and After School Care at a nearby school. For more information please contact the school on 96381296 or view our website at www.telopea-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au