RESERVOIR WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL
| PRINCIPAL | Bruce Kearney |
| ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL | Barb Balliro |
| BUSINESS MANAGER | Joyce Janakievski |
Reservoir West Primary School was established in 1954 in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. An extensive rebuilding program was completed in 2011 to provide the community with a modern architecturally-designed school comprising four buildings with facilities and equipment that allows teaching and learning to be flexible, engaging and stimulating. Seven relocatable buildings have been provided to cater for increased enrolments. Covered basketball courts and assembly areas, extensive playground equipment, grassed and synthetic turf areas provide students with a safe, secure and practical playground environment.
The school serves a socially, economically and culturally diverse community. The school’s Student Family Occupation (SFO) index has changed significantly from 0.57 in 2011 to 0.4267 in 2022, which indicates that the socio-economic status of the student cohort is in the mid-to-high range. The school's SFOE index is 0.3224 and the proportion of students born in Australia is 94% per cent.
Student enrolments have increased from 254 in 2010 to 612 in 2022. This increase in enrolments has resulted in the school receiving an enrolment ceiling since 2013.
In 2022, the school employs 49.8 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff, consisting of 41 FTE teaching and 8.8 FTE non-teaching personnel. The leadership profile includes a Principal, Three Acting Assistant Principals, two Leading Teachers and 3.4 FTE Learning Specialists. The teaching staff is experienced with a balanced blend of graduate teachers. Student Welfare Officers (1.2 FTE) work with students and families that need support and integration teacher aides provide significant welfare, literacy, numeration and extension support. In 2022 the Tutor Learning Initiative provides significant support for students affected by remote learning and the school has six graduate teachers involved in the Career Start program. The School Council manages a growing School Age Care program which caters for 90 students and also conducts Vacation Care.
Reservoir West Primary school provides a comprehensive curriculum based on the Victorian Curriculum. The school has developed literacy and numeracy continuums, which are supported by an extensive assessment schedule. Whole school agreements are outlined for curriculum areas and include expectations, assessment tools, common language and evidence-based explicit instructional strategies. The coherent, school wide methodology applied to planning, assessment and the sharing of effective practices has built a unified teaching approach focused on making a positive impact on student learning. The diverse learning needs of students are catered for through purposefully designed teaching and learning programs.
The school uses digital technologies routinely across the curriculum with all students in the Senior School having acess to their own devices. School iPads are used in the Junior School.
Students are currently organised for learning in a mixture of straight and composite classes. The Junior School has all staright classes and the Senior School is all composite Year 3/4 and 5/6 classes. The new facilities have provided the opportunity for flexible groupings of students and collaborative teaching. In 2022, there are twenty-five home-groups, supported by specialist teachers and support teachers who work as a team to deliver a comprehensive curriculum. The school curriculum includes the specialist areas of Science, Spanish and Music, Physical Education, Health and Sport, Library, Visual Arts, DigiTech and English as an Additional Language (EAL) is also provided. A whole-school Welfare and Discipline policy and Student Engagement Policy has enabled students, teachers and parents to work together in a safe, secure and simulating environment where we can all strive for excellence.
FACILITIES
Commencing in 2007, Reservoir West Primary School underwent a complete rebuilding program that has provided a bright and modern architecturally-designed school equipped with facilities and equipment that allow teaching and learning to be flexible, engaging and stimulating. The completed Masterplan consists of four buildings: Library/ICT/Administration/Art Studio, Music/Gymnasium and two classroom wings with flexible learning areas. A large oval, covered basketball courts and assembly areas, extensive playground equipment, considerable areas of synthetic turf and covered areas and 2.4m security fence provide our students with a safe and secure environment. With our recent dramatic increase in enrolments, the school has been provided with seven relocatable buildings housing fourteen classrooms.
THE CURRICULUM
The teachers and staff at Reservoir West are dedicated and committed to delivering well-prepared and challenging programs in all domains of the Victorian Curriculum. Programs marked * are conducted by a specialist teacher or professional instructor. Excursions and visiting performers enhance the units of work being studied.
TEACHERS
A balance of experienced and younger teachers place an emphasis on providing individualised learning for our students in a team-oriented environment. All staff are committed to continued Professional Learning.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
At Reservoir West parents are encouraged to participate in and support their child through:
School Council
Parents and Friends’ Association
Classroom Helpers’ Programs
Assisting in classroom and specialist programs
Fundraising and social opportunities
Canteen
Sporting teams and excursions
Visiting the school during open sessions
Attending assemblies, special days or activities
UNIFORM
Gender-inclusive compulsory school uniform is available from our supplier AGS Prints.
Sunsmart School – School hats are compulsory Terms 1 & 4
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
School Captains
House Captains and Vice-Captains
Student Representative Council
Office and Admin duties
Prep & 5/6 Buddy System
Buddy Grade System
STUDENT WELFARE
High level of student supervision in the schoolyard
Student Wellbeing Officer
High expectations for student behaviour
Many staff Level 2 First-Aid trained (Teaching and Non-Teaching)
Whole-school Student Code of Conduct
Guidance Officer/Psychologist/Counsellor
Speech Pathologist
Program for Students with Disabilities
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING
Parent information sessions
Weekly newsletter
Informative and up-to-date website
Five formal Parent/Teacher Interviews
June and December written Achievement Reports
March and September Progress Reports
Open-door policy with approachable staff and teachers
Regular ‘open school’ opportunities
Please attend one of our Open Sessions or contact the Principal for a personal tour of the school to discuss your child's educational needs.