Waratah Public School

Principal's Message

Hello. I'm Penny Shepherd, principal of Waratah Public School. Welcome to our website. We are a large inner Newcastle public school drawing students from a community with a diverse cultural background.

Our Early Childhood programs are outstanding. We have a 2 unit preschool, an Early Intervention Unit for preschool aged children with disabilities and two Possums classes for young Kindergarten children. These resources are district classes with children attending their zoned school for years K-6.

Students in our K-6 classes are grouped in year groups, in four stages. Kindergarten students are in Early Stage 1.Students in Years 1 and 2 are in Stage 1. Years 3 and 4 are in Stage 2, and our seniors, Years 5 and 6 are in Stage 3.

Individual needs of students are met by the provision of a wide variety of special programs - Learning Support in Literacy and numeracy, Reading Recovery, English as a Second Language, Information Communication Technology, Gifted and Talented activities, Performing Arts and Primary School Sports Association competitions.

Students at Waratah Public School are enthusiastic about their learning and motivated to do their best in all fields of endeavour - academic, cultural, sporting and behaviourally. Student performance in all these areas is of a high standard. The core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Co-operation, Participation, Care, Fairness and Democracy underpin every area of school life. Values inform school policy, procedures, relationships, communication and learning.

The highly professional staff work together as a team intent on improving student performance. Classroom teachers are focused on meeting individual student needs and improving outcomes through quality teaching - Our aim being to give each child the opportunity and help to be the best he/she can be. Our classrooms are bright, happy and interesting with staff and students proud of their learning. The school administrative staff ( ladies in the office) support staff, students and parents through their efficient management of school related matters and their caring ways.

Parents play a large role in the life of the school. Together parents, students and staff work towards improving student outcome. When home and school work together student performance and attitude is improved. We have an active P&C who are part of the decision making process of the school. They also raise money to support school programs. We also have a keen group of parents that work with students in our classrooms. Our P&C run canteen has a canteen supervisor and is staffed by wonderful parent volunteers.

Student assessment is ongoing with written reports home mid year and end of year. Formal interviews are held early in Term 3 but parents are encouraged to make appointments with classroom teachers at any time if they have concerns about their children.

Excursions and performances are sprinkled throughout the year. Signed permission notes and money must be returned to classroom teachers before the closing date. No money is accepted after the advertised cut- off dates.

Waratah Public School has a proud tradition in the Waratah community. We are educating today, for tomorrow, in a happy, safe and caring school community.

Penny Shepherd