Our School

West Melton Primary School is a U4 Decile 10 full primary school educating students from Year 0 to Year 8 situated in a rural community 20 km west of Christchurch and fifteen minutes travel from the outskirts of the city.

Once a traditional farming area, the district now supports a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural ventures along with owner operated businesses. There is a small village near the school, and two new developments, Gainsborough and Preston Downs close-by, but the majority of the population currently live on small holdings and commute into the city. Most residents own their own homes and live in the district as a matter of lifestyle choice.

West Melton Village and the surrounding area is zoned for major residential development. The school roll is projected to undergo rapid growth within the next five years. To monitor/control this anticipated growth, an enrolment scheme was put in place, effective January 1 2006. The Board is effectively managing requests for out of zone enrolments.

The "Gainsborough" subdivision development, directly across the road from our school, is the first of 190 section development began in 2008 and is ongoing. "Preston Downs" is the latest subdivision; approximately 500 metres from the school, it was started in 2010 it will accommodate 300 sections.

The community, staff and Board of Trustees are very supportive of each other and the school, and enthusiastic about children's education and achievement.

The school is currently staffed by 10 teachers. Several part-time teachers and support staff, two Deputy Principals, one of whom is non-teaching. The Principal's position is full time.

The "West Melton School Way" and "KC Kids" have been developed at WMS as a holistic approach to integrated inquiry learning and has our values system deeply imbedded in practice and pedagogy. Our KC Kids provide a set of role-models and guidelines for students to assist them is making good choices in learning and social life.

There are two teams operating in the school. The Kiwi team, led by an Associate Principal includes Years 0 to 3, and the Moa Team led by an Associate Principal includes Years 4 to 8. We have a comprehensive learning support programme operating school-wide, which is monitored by the special needs co-coordinator and is supported by tutors (teacher aides), teachers, and outside specialists who work with students who are identified by staff requiring learning support or extension.

We provide a transition class for new entrants at our school. The need for this was identified due to a variety of factors i.e. a general trend that shows fewer children beginning school with many of the basic early literacy and numeracy skills to allow them to be ready for a formal programme. Many children are less independent, and more children find it difficult to follow instructions or routines and need more experience with sensory motor type activities to develop a variety of skills.

A comprehensive and robust performance management system operates for all staff. It promotes both professional and personal development. All teaching staff are attested annually against the professional standards. Staff are active in seeking professional development and mentoring support, and the school provides programmes and support to ensure all staff are able to effectively meet the learning needs of our students.

An Advice and Guidance Programme is in place for beginning teachers with teaching staff having the responsibilities as tutor teachers over the years. The beginning teacher, tutor teacher and learning team implement this programme collaboratively. These are discussed with the Principal and areas for development are supported through peer support, classroom release time and professional development.

Teaching staff use their CRT for whole school planning, assessment, professional development, visiting other schools and mentoring. There is a positive culture of collaboration, collegiality and professional support between all staff.

The Board of Trustees support the Principles of a "Good Employer".

We have an active Parent Teacher Association who do excellent work fundraising for the school to provide the little extras.

We strive to provide a collaborative and supportive school wide environment that provides all staff and students with a sense of empowerment and growth.

Susan Jackson

PRINCIPAL

Reviewed February 2011