A letter from a Principal of a small country primary school.

Dear SSEN:BE

‘Small country’ Primary School is in a small country town with approximately 575 people. It is situated about 320 kms north of Perth. The school was established in 1908 and since this time the students attending our school has changed from a large percentage of children coming from farming properties to a large percentage of students now living in town. In 2022, 40 % of our students were listed as indigenous. In 2022 and 2023, the primary school operated with four classrooms. Our turnover of teachers continues to be of concern, and we have worked extremely hard to put in place programs which positively support our staff and students, and our school community.
Every year, Teachers and Education Assistants from the primary school have attended the Classroom Management Strategies PL [CMS] run by the Engagement Centre. This program has upskilled staff with positive, achievable classroom management strategies to build positive classroom and learning environments. This has flowed through to engaging teaching and learning experiences for our students.

At all times we work hard to make our school a safe and positive place for all students to come. Every two years we have a turnover of teaching staff. The Positive Behaviour Support program [PBS] has formed a solid base to develop and implement a whole school approach to positive behaviour, teach acceptable social skills and achieve higher educational outcomes for all students. With support from the Engagement Centre, we have developed a PBS common language where respectful and responsible behaviours assist in raising the expectations of everyone within the school community. This in turn creates and sustains a positive school culture which we are all proud of.

On behalf of the primary school community, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Engagement Centre for their positive, ongoing support of our school. Through the CMS and WA PBS Service provided to our school, staff can positively engage with the teaching and learning of students from diverse backgrounds, leading to improved student outcomes.

Yours sincerely,

Principal