Emu Heights Public School

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains west of the city of Penrith, Emu Heights Public School, enrolment 326 children, enjoys beautiful, spacious grounds in a park-like setting. Our school has a positive family atmosphere and is highly regarded by the local community as a friendly, caring school in which personal excellence is nurtured and valued. Our experienced and dedicated staff of 23 are committed to providing the best possible learning opportunities for children. A focus on the development of Literacy and Numeracy skills is our priority. The integration of technology across the curriculum is supported through the use of interactive whiteboards in every learning area, classroom computers the school's computer laboratory and 82 iPads shared throughout the school. A wide range of student welfare programs including Peer Support, Year 6 Leadership training and Kindy Buddies as well as extra-curricular activities, particularly in sport and the performing arts of dance, music, choir, debating and public speaking, ensure a rich tapestry of learning opportunities for our children. Other programs valued by our school community as significant in enhancing our children's development include; Debating and Public Speaking, overnight camps and excursions, Student Representative Council, Education Week performances involving all 326 children, whole school recorder music program, interschool sport opportunities, Life Education Program, CARES Bike Education initiative, Talent Quest, Premiers Reading Challenge special events, Literacy Week celebrations, Author visits, World Maths Day, and the School Veggie Garden and Environmental Education area. Our Student Welfare and Wellbeing themes of Safe Respectful Learners underpin all our behaviour expectations and practices. An important value of our school is that we 'live' our school motto 'Happiness By Helping' . This is realised through a variety of school and student initiated fundraising activities in support of local and international charities. Some of these include: special days and events in support of specific appeals; annual 'Shoe Boxes of Love' program as part of the Barnardos Christmas Appeal; ' Yr 6 Disco for Others'; selling the produce of our vegie garden to support world hunger programs; and the practice of donating 10% of money raised through our annual-athon to different appeals and charities determined by our SRC. Significant in every program and initiative is the close partnership between our staff, children, parents and the wider community which ensures together we live out our 3 tenets; - Belonging to the present. - Equipped for the future. - Inspired to make a difference.