Moonee Ponds West Primary School, established in 1888, is situated in a quiet residential area of Moonee Ponds, an inner North Western suburb of Melbourne. Enrolment is currently 539 students. The majority of the students are from the immediate locality, but an increasing number of students are drawn from an area that extends outside this area.

The guiding philosophy at Moonee Ponds West is respect for the rights and responsibilities of students, staff and parents. Moonee Ponds West is staffed by caring professionals who are committed to excellence and who believe in and follow a collaborative decision making process. Children are listened to and respected as individuals. Staff and students address each other using first names. There is a high expectation that all children will learn and develop to their full potential. The aim is for children to leave Moonee Ponds West with a love of learning, a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, independence, risk-taking skills and self-discipline.

Moonee Ponds West strives to be a happy, positive, safe and caring school.

Curriculum

The organization of classes is based on a multi-age structure that encourages and enhances individual achievement and social development. The school is committed to teaching and learning based on real life experiences.

AusVELS is the Foundation to Year 10 curriculum that provides a single, coherent and comprehensive set of prescribed content and common achievement standards, which schools use to plan student learning programs, assess student progress and report to parents.

AusVELS incorporates the Australian Curriculum F-10 for English, Mathematics, History and Science within the curriculum framework first developed for the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS). AusVELS uses an eleven level structure to reflect the design of the new Australian Curriculum whilst retaining Victorian priorities and approaches to teaching and learning.

Specialist programs are run in PE, Creative Arts, Library, Japanese, Instrumental Music and choir. The school has developed a reputation for excellence in Whole Language teaching and Integrated Curriculum planning using an inquiry approach. The school is a DEECD Language School of Excellence, and showcases excellence in Languages (Japanese) teaching.

The school is actively involved in the Moonee Valley Network. Our Network priority is to improve the literacy and numeracy learning and continue to improve student wellbeing and engagement strategies that support learning.

A vital component of the literacy strategy is the Hall program emphasizing oral language and communication skills across the junior area. Classroom teachers have access to a Learning Support teacher who along with the classroom teacher works with children at points of need in both English and Mathematics.

Over the past four years the school has expanded the use of information and communication technologies and they are now an integral part of classroom practice throughout the school. The school has a comprehensive IT plan, supported by an extensive ICT network which provides all students with access to up to date hardware as well as multimedia, Internet and electronic mail. The school uses wireless MacBooks as our primary platform in all class levels from Prep to Grade 6. In 2014 the school implemented a 1:1 iPad program with our Grade 5/6 students.

Moonee Ponds West is committed to on-going whole school improvement to maximize the opportunities for all students. Staff professional learning plays a major and vital role in this.

Facilities

The school is an interesting combination of gracious Victorian and more modern buildings, with specialist rooms for Japanese, Library, Music and Creative Arts. The well-maintained grounds include two adventure playgrounds, a large Tiger Turf area and a centenary garden area with amphitheatre. The setting provides a pleasant environment for learning and social interaction. The grounds are planted with shade trees in accordance with Sun Smart ideals.

In 2008 the school completed the final stage of our major building program. This $3.5 million project included a new Multi-purpose Room and the upgrade of existing classroom areas to allow for the provision of music practice areas, six (6) larger classrooms, a refurbished art and craft room, new LOTE room and a revamped library space. The school can now boast the most up to date facilities in the Western Metropolitan Region.

We completed a landscaping project around the new administration building ($65,000). With further funding from the Commonwealth 'Investing in Schools Program' we have shade sails over each playground ($21,000) and a new security fence around the school ($49,500). The community oval is accessible during daylight hours during school days and over weekends.

The school has completed extensive landscaping to ensure the active play space for ous tduents is equally impressive. A large ‘Tiger Turf’ artificial grass surface was installed along the Athol Street boundary along with a native landscape area. In 2009 the resurfacing of the rest of the oval (1500M2) using funds from a 2009 Commonwealth National Pride Grant was completed along with the completion of the Grade 5/6 outdoor learning area along Eglinton Street.

Features

Learning is a partnership between home and school. Moonee Ponds West is committed to participation by staff, parents and the wider community. Parent involvement at Moonee Ponds West includes School Council, subcommittee membership on Education, Resources, Environment or the Parent group, classroom assistance, family social functions, fund-raising and working bees.

Positive student behaviour and attitudes are developed through the Student Wellbeing policy and program with its underlying principles of rights, responsibilities, logical consequences, honesty and fairness. The school is committed to providing genuine opportunities for students to have age appropriate input into school decisions. The School has a Junior School Council who is represented regularly at School Council. The year 5 & 6 students complete an annual Attitudes to School Survey which provides useful information on their perceptions of the school and further assists future planning.

The school offers a warm, caring Out of School Hours Care Program, both before and after school, on student free days and during each holiday period. This program if provided in partnership with Camp Australia. For bookings or information they can be contacted by phone on 8851 4160.