Gordon West Public School

Gordon West Public School's mission is to be recognised as a school of excellence with a definite purpose and direction.

At Gordon West we strive to develop self discipline within our students and to foster an innate desire for students to do their personal best. In a caring environment we encourage our students to develop to their full potential.

School and community work closely together to collaboratively develop a shared understanding of effective learning. This strong community focus is reflected in the concept of the family school emphasised at Gordon West by our 'home away from home' ethos.

Gordon West strives for all round excellence within the Key Learning Areas. Overall test results reflect the high academic standards expected and achieved.

The school emphasises participation and enjoyment in our extensive creative arts program, which encourages creativity and fosters and develops talent. Three school bands, four school choirs, two recorder groups and a specialist dance teacher together with embedded classroom experiences provide numerous opportunities for our children in this area.

Intra and interschool sporting achievements are reflective of the balanced sporting program offered at Gordon West. The school fields a variety of sporting teams for interschool sport and is usually very competitive in the local PSSA competition.

In the recently completed winter competition Gordon West was victorious in the Junior and Senior Division One netball competitions and also won the Junior Four competition. Our Junior soccer team was also victorious in Division One of their respective competition.

Technology is a major focus at Gordon West, with all staff and students enjoying Smartboards in their classrooms.The computer laboratory is used extensively during the week for both timetabled and non timetabled lessons. Learning experiences are tailored to suit students' skills and abilities using a variety of programs including Microsoft Word/Publisher/Excel and PowerPoint, MovieMaker, Photoshop, KidPix and Inspiration.

These programs allow the students to produce a range of Multimedia and Digital Art projects which enhance presentation and develop problem solving and research skills. Video conferencing facilities allow us to link with other schools and facilities anywhere in the world.

Naplan results at Gordon West will rise and fall over time, reflecting the abilities of the student cohorts of Year 3 and Year 5. Gordon West will always endeavour to improve on its performance in all areas including Naplan where intensive analysis of results will be reflected in ongoing teaching practice.

Gordon West is certainly an exciting, challenging and rewarding centre of learning with a definite purpose and direction. However, the main purpose for the school's existence is the students, and we are very proud of them for their achievements big and small and for their commitment to the school and its values and to their fellow students.