I encourage you to personally tour the school and meet the educators and students, form your own opinion and leave a comment here.
Best of luck with your search for the perfect school!
Tour Details
Vibe and physical layout of Le Page Primary School
The school entrance is unassuming. The first thing I noticed was the trademark image on the grounds of the entrance which read, ‘The Leader in me – great happens here.’
The minute I stepped into the foyer, I noticed vibrant art work, pictures of students, a creator of land welcome to country display and colourful hand outlines next to a small sign that highlights the essence of the school’s values, it reads ‘At Le Page Primary School we are all individuals, but together we are connected to make one community.’
The classrooms were each decorated in their own unique way. The one thing every classroom had was the mission statement for the class, a mission statement for each individual student, their leadership journals and goals that they were tracking to.
For those interested in the outdoor space, this school has an expansive outdoor playground and soccer field.
Le Page Primary School Principal’s view
“We’re not perfect, we’re always continuously working on ourselves, including me.”
“Everyone has a gift, it’s up to us to show it to them.”
The school’s mission: Identify talent. Develop the confidence. Create the leader.
There are seven guiding principles that underpin the school’s value system (based on ‘The 7 habits of highly effective people/families’):
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand
- Synergise, and
- Sharpen the saw
Every student is given a leadership journal in which they document their academic and personal goals and track their progress. The view at this school is that every child is a leader in their own unique way and that they will be self-driven by the time they’re in secondary school.
There is a student lighthouse team in which students are voted by other students to represent them.
George mentions, though he was initially reluctant, he has accepted that if a child can, let them. The kids chose the playground design out of a short list. I was impressed to hear that George was open to sharing his own struggle and progress with the students and us, the parents. I would imagine this reduces the gap between adults (the principal) and the students and comforts the kids that they are not alone in the journey of growth and development.
Enrolment at Le Page Primary School
The school has grown from 19 students to 250. It is capped at 250 so they are limited to in-zone applications. However, out of zone applications may be considered once the department has approved.
There are 11 classes, average of 20 students per class. 26 is the largest class and 18 the smallest. Two straight foundation classes and the others are composite.
The standard Victorian curriculum is followed. There are 5 specialist areas:
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama)
- Physical Education
- L.O.T.E: AUSLAN
- Culture
Sports at Le Page Primary School
General subject and Interschool sport teams.
Music/ performing arts at Le Page Primary School
One of the specialist subjects. Drama skits and talent competitions are also held.
Academics at Le Page Primary School
NAPLAN stats are not reflective of the success of this school. Due to small numbers and gradual growth of cohort the NAPLAN progress isn’t represented. As the student numbers are now settling, the trend should be more measurable for those who base their decision on NAPLAN. Though I will say, this school has a point of difference and that is to be inclusive. As a result, the special needs students are included and supported as part of the general classrooms.
There are three strategies to support students requiring remedial or extension:
- Tier 1 – in class support
- Tier 2 – out of class room tutors
- Tier 3 – external help
Clubs at Le Page Primary School
There are various student-led lunch time clubs. Cooking club (high demand), computer club, mindfulness club, gardening and chicken, footy tipping club. External clubs are also offered which are paid for separately such as robotics, coding and dance club during school hours and chess club (Friday afternoon after school).
Leadership at Le Page Primary School
Leadership is the key focus of the school. Aside from House captains and School captains, students are also leaders in areas that they want to be.
Student lighthouse team is a student council (nominees from each year level) that gather fortnightly to discuss various topics which may include what they want to raise money for.
Students are voted and have to go for job interviews for the role. They are not always successful which is part of letting them experience a feeling of success as well as a feeling of disappointment. It is about building resilience.
Whole school assemblies are conducted weekly in the school hall.
Wellbeing at Le Page Primary School
7 habits of effective children, leader in me program runs throughout school. Well0-being teacher also works with students that require extra support.
Every classroom has a ‘happy place’ or reading space.
Student comments at Le Page Primary School
The students were noticeably vibrant and engaged. When asked a question, every single hand was up, keen to respond.
Some of the comments from the students included:
“Lots of sports to play.”
“It’s a student-led school”
“Great community”
“Every kid has a voice and is a leader.”
Teachers and staff at Le Page Primary School
The staff all seemed happy. Staff turn around is low.
In terms of discipline, the school adopts a restorative justice approach. No raising voices, no raising eyebrows.
Foundation at Le Page Primary School
Transition program where prospective prep students can experience the school by participating in classroom activities start as early as March. There is a buddy program where grades 5&6s buddy with foundation students and work with local kinder to help with the transition.
On top of that, grades 1 & 2s buddy up with grades 3 & 4s. Students always have a buddy throughout school.
After school care at Le Page Primary School
Team Kids on site.
Conclusion
I was blown away by the enthusiasm and vibrant faces of the students. When asked a question, every single child in the classroom raised their hand and was eager to respond. Their responses were well thought out and articulated. And unrehearsed. They really were leaders in their own right. It is very evident that there is strong focus on leadership in this school.
There were two teachers in every classroom, all seemed at ease and happy to be there. And it was great to see a good mix of male to female teacher ratio in the classrooms.
The school has grown from 19 students to 250 in just seven years. This means that there were new starters transferring from other schools at varying year levels and as the principal mentioned, this made the students more empathetic to other new comers.
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