Bexley Public School

Bexley Public School provides high quality educational programs for an educationally aware, diverse community in the south of Sydney. Students are well motivated and eager to learn. A highly committed, professional, experienced staff provides relevant, inclusive meaningful programs that maximise student learning. The students value their own origins, as well as the cultures of their peers, within a context of Australian values and lifestyles. Bexley School is small enough to ensure that the principal and staff know families personally and there is a strong sense of family and community. Bexley School is big enough to provide a broad range of curricular and extra curricular activities in sport, band, dance, drama, public speaking and singing. The primary focus of the school is the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills that will equip students to become happy, productive members of the community. The school community is concerned for the well-being of its students. Emphasis is placed on positive, proactive well-being programs that make students feel secure, value learning, respect and care for each other and become involved in a broad spectrum of academic, cultural, leisure and sporting activities. Parents and community members take an active role in all aspects of school life. Our school is well resourced and attractive. This includes the latest technology, including, in 2012, over one hundred computers, laptops, ipads, ipods and interactive whiteboards. This technology is used as an aid in all key learning areas, as well as a means to teaching students how to use the technology that has such a great impact on their lives. The external environment is functional and green, providing opportunity for environmental learning and leisure activities. The community garden provides opportunities for students to learn about living things and sustainability from first hand experience. The school is involved in several unique programs aimed at maximising student learning and wellbeing. Firstly, this includes Compass, our partnership with the University of Sydney, aimed at providing the community with the means of achieving their aspirations for our students to seriously consider educational pathways that include higher education: university or TAFE. Through Compass, students have attended functions at the University of Sydney to give them a taste of what university life is like. Students have attended cultural and scientific programs organised through the University of Sydney, and Sydney University students regularly attend Bexley School to mentor and support students in enhancing their literacy skills. Secondly, we are a Kidsmatter school. This national program supports schools in fostering a culture where learning and education are valued. The program provides avenues to support students and families through whole class and individual programs to maximise wellbeing. Thirdly, we are also proud to be part of the Harmony Committee group of schools. This is a partnership with other government and independent schools aimed at promoting inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony. Our involvement in the Live Life Well at School and the Active After School Communities programs support the school in encouraging students and their families to eat healthily and lead active lifestyles. Finally, in 2012, the school has concluded its involvement in the National Partnerships program. This program enabled the school to provide additional support for students through funding for extra staff, resources and professional learning for staff.