Meadow Heights Primary School

At our school all our energies are devoted to providing the best possible educational environment for the children so as to ensure that every child at Meadow Heights achieves to the best of his/her ability.We have a committed group of teachers who respect and value each and every student. Our ethos centers around the belief that all children can succeed and it is our responsibility to direct resources in a manner which enables all children to experience success. Our workforce is structured so that all teachers at the school, including the principal, have a minimum of four hours face to face contact with children each week. It is important that as a team, we all work hard to ensure the success of the schools programs and to develop positive relationships with all of the children. Meadow Heights has a solid reputation within its community. Part of the reason for this is the effort which is put into developing positive relationships with parents. Another reason is that the school has received acknowledgement for a number of its innovations. We are proud of our school and I would encourage any prospective employee or parents to come and see the school for themselves. We believe that from the moment you enter the school grounds, you will be impressed by the culture and ethos of the school. It is a place in which all people are respected and where we work as a team to ensure that our children get the very best education that we can provide.

Meadow Heights is part of a new and growing community situated amid a rapidly expanding housing estate north of Broadmeadows. The school has an approximate enrollment of 720 children and services a community representing a diversity of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Meadow Heights Primary School is to provide a secure, harmonious, stimulating environment that will harness the special qualities that different members of the learning commu nity may contribute. The school prides itself in being able to meet the educational challenges facing school communities in an era of rapidly changing times. A comprehensive curriculum is offered to students in the eight Key Learning Areas using an Integrated Curriculum approach. The School's Policies and Programs are based on the belief that all students can progress successfully through school, providing that appropriate learning programs are put in place. The school currently provides additional programs that cater for a variety of needs including :-

- Perceptual Motor Program
- Early Learning Program
- Prep Language Development Program

The school currently provides 10 computers per double classroom, plus printer. The children also have access to Scanners, Digital cameras and Digital video camera. The school also has one colour printer which is used to print work that is to be laminated or framed. For more information on our ITC program click here.

Teachers at Meadow Heights Primary School are empowered in the decision making process through representation on the Curriculum Steering Committee, Area Learning Committees, Staff Meetings and through Unit Meetings and School Council. It is through the notion of collaborative representation that teachers are able to work cooperatively in teams and be responsible for the professional delivery of a high qual ity education to all children through a whole school approach to child centered teaching and learning strategies.

Facilities

The School is equipped with modern classrooms, a functional Performing Arts Room, Art/Craft Room, Library and Gymnasium. Full use is made of all classrooms and facilities to maximise group and cooperative learning situations. In this way the children are able to develop intellectually, physically, perceptually and socially. The provision of playground equipment and shaded play areas complements the aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment.

The Meadow Heights school ethos is supported by the vision that optimum learning conditions are dependant upon
-teachers, parents and children working in partnership.
-an emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking which in turn encourages independent learning.
-a learning environment for children which is safe, stimulating and aesthetically challenging.
-children having opportunities to experience learning in mixed, like and fluid groupings.
-clear policies and programs that will ensure consistent practice and expectations across the school.

The importance of parent/home/school partnerships is an integral part of the school learning program. Our practice has been to celebrate the participation of parent involvement through a number of forums which primarily include, School Council, assisting classroom teachers, fund raising and participation in parent in-service programs. In order to obtain trust and commitment from the parents we have continued to develop strong community links by maintaining open lines of communication at all times.