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Puckapunyal Primary School is located within the Puckapunyal Military Area, 10km west of Seymour in Central Victoria, and is easily accessible and within walking distance to all homes.
The school was initially established to cater for the dependents of the Australian Army, one of Australia’s most mobile population groups, and these children still make up the majority of our students..........
We also cater for students from the surrounding area, and many international students whose families have been posted to Puckapunyal from countries such as England, Canada, the United States and Malaysia. History
The school was originally opened in 1887.The current site is the third site, the first being on the Heathcote Road when the school serviced the farming community, then it moved onto the base in 1953 and was situated near the current fire station. In 1956 the new and current school was built. Since that date there have been at least 2 major extensions and community funded additions comprising an art/craft room, general purpose room and a canteen. Major interior and exterior maintenance in 1997 saw the whole school upgraded, a new entrance added and the corridor "opened up" with a perspex canopy above the roofline. In 1999, Puckapunyal was one of 29 Victorian Schools accepted into the 'Self Governing Schools' program that gave it the authority to stand alone but with increased authority to both the Community and the State. A change of government after 9 months ended that program.
Puckapunyal Primary School is a unique school in Australia. The sons and daughters of Defence Force Personnel, stationed within the Puckapunyal Military Area, comprise 97% of its enrolment, and annually upwards of 50% of the children transfer interstate and overseas. The school believes that a child learns most when they feel secure about their home and school environments, and at the same time are developing skills to face unfamiliar situations in the future. The school offers individual attention and special support to all children. Each child’s whole education should continue to be valuable to them throughout their life. The school commits all its physical and human resources to help achieve this aim. Demographics
The high level of mobility has a significant effect on continuity of school programs and consequently student achievement. For instance, few children who begin school in Prep in 2008 will be at the school for 3 years. It is difficult then to be specific about Academic Performance Targets when, for the 4-year life of a School Strategic Plan, the school will be dealing with a different cohort each year. At the commencement of the 2008 school year, it is unlikely that many of the students currently enrolled will still be at the school. The new arrivals come from a diverse range of educational backgrounds (each State and Territory of Australia, Canada, U.S.A., New Zealand, Malaysia and Germany), that we must weld together. Prolonged absence of the military (usually male) member of the house during each twelve months over the 2-3 years of a posting also provides social and emotional problems that impact on student achievement. Of note is the increasing number of children enrolling
from the surrounding farming community and those prepared to drive their children from Seymour, the largest nearby centre. Puckapunyal Primary School offers a comprehensive educational program to cater for the transient population that it serves. However, with a 50% turnover each year, no program can ever be regarded as finalised or completed, and the school must constantly attend to its business of developing literacy and numeracy, in particular, as well as the other Key Learning Areas, throughout all year levels.
Teachers are encouraged to set and expect high standards from their students. The school is organised along traditional lines with some composite grades as required. Pride in all aspects of the school’s operation is evident through a genuinely open administration and welcoming classroom environments. The school has developed an excellent relationship with the Australian Army, and enjoys a high reputation in being able to provide for the needs of children of service personnel. This has led to excellent support to the school in many areas, and the development of, and support to, special school programs.
A dedicated and professional staff with wide ranging skills and abilities is a vital asset to Puckapunyal Primary School. A comprehensive Professional Development program for staff ensures that innovative curriculum programs and teaching methods are incorporated into the program. Families can attain a copy of the school's Annual Report to read about our performances compared to the rest of the state (a copy of the school's Annual Report can also be downloaded from the Document Library link at the Main Menu on this website). “We are committed to the following strategies
Encouraging friendship,
Improving self-concept,
Developing pride in the school,
Promoting sharing, tolerance and compassion,
Developing respect, acknowledging differences,
Applying consistent, logical discipline,
Encouraging responsible play.” |
