Principal’s Message

Smart Kids, Crafty Teachers, Clever Parents

Welcome to Payne Road State School.

Due to its size and location our school is known for its country climate where community and family are amongst are our best allies. Set within a picturesque landscape and only minutes from the city, the locals have a strong affinity and belonging to their neighbourhood. The school’s community is stable, resourceful, and highly interested in its desire for the children to achieve their best. This positive attitude to education is reflected in parental expectations and involvement in school and P&C generated activities.

In 2010 we celebrate our fortieth year of educational service in the ‘leafy’ western suburbs. It will be a year in which we acknowledge for the first time, three generations of family allegiance. As 2009 was the year of our triennial review, this year we celebrate and acknowledge teaching and student success over four decades. We look forward to tracking our history and pride and to rekindling acquaintances with former graduates.

Our graduating class of 2009 have set a bench mark to which our current students are keenly striving. In the National Assessment Literacy and Numeracy Program last year, more than 20% of Year 7 students were in the top band (9) for reading, writing and grammar/punctuation. An average of 97% of Year 7 students in 2009 reached band 6 or better in all areas.

In 2009, all Year 3 students (100%) reached the targeted national minimum standard (band 2) or better in literacy areas of reading and writing and 98% were above band 2 in spelling. We gained 100% of Year 5 students reaching the national minimum standard (band 4) or above in both grammar/punctuation and numeracy.

This year we are looking forward to a focus on development of curriculum to improve student performance. A quality aligned curriculum framework provides the foundation for high achievement. We are well placed strategically for the release of the national curriculum which begins implementation in 2011. Teaching practices at our school are influencing students’ higher-order thinking and catering for the digital generation.

Payne Road State School will benefit from $2.5M Federal funding for a multi-purpose hall in 2010. A project which is being led by a talented team of committed parents. Teachers, parents, students alike, I trust that you will all enjoy the fun and learning. Ours is a school with smart kids, crafty teachers and clever parents.

Rob Deen

Principal