PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME
Welcome to Canterbury Primary School, a school with a long and proud tradition of providing an outstanding education to its students.
Since its establishment in 1908, the school has held a distinguished record in the provision of a comprehensive and challenging learning program that fosters individual excellence whilst ensuring the diverse talents of its students are recognised and developed.
Set in the beautiful tree lined streets of Canterbury, the school's buildings are of significant historical importance to the local community and this understanding is reinforced in the children's learning programs and the proud culture of the school.
The school is the heart of the local community with exceptional levels of parent engagement across a multitude of school and community activities. Generations of families maintain their ties with the school, facilitated by the school's heritage committee. While these levels of parent activity raise significant funds for the school, they also provide a focal point for its community, ensuring the school remains an open and welcoming place for all who engage with it.
Canterbury Primary School has an enviable reputation in its community, based on the strength of its outstanding academic record and the positive word of mouth promoted by parents, staff, students and the wider community. The school aims to continue to provide an outstanding learning experience for all students, one which prepares them for a life of continued learning.
Take some time to visit our website and should you require additional information, please contact the school during office hours.
Anne Tonkin
Principal
VISION AND VALUES
Vision
Canterbury Primary School is a caring and stimulating place of learning, promoting individual excellence, encouraging social responsibility and fostering lifelong learning in a changing environment.
Values
| Care and Respect |
To be inclusive and courteous |
| Responsibility |
To be accountable for our actions |
| Integrity |
To be honest, trustworthy and reliable |
| Commitment |
To participate, persist, achieve |
| Enjoyment |
To be positive, enthusiastic, have fun |
PROFILE
Canterbury Primary School draws approximately 540 students from the well-established suburbs of Canterbury and Surrey Hills.
The school is committed to consultation, principles of democratic decision-making, whole school planning and a systematic approach to teaching and learning, assessment and reporting, policy development and program evaluation. A comprehensive set of policy statements, developed in consultation with all sectors of the school community, provides the school with a clear direction and the means of addressing key issues and priorities.
The school is committed to catering for the needs, abilities and interests of students in a secure and caring environment and considers that all students have the capacity to grow in self-confidence and self-esteem. The school's philosophy underpins teaching which encourages students to:
- be motivated, inquiring and independent learners;
- experience success in all domains of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS);
- develop decision-making, problem solving and critical thinking skills;
- develop self-esteem, tolerance and respect; and
- develop leadership skills and operate effectively as part of a team.
The school provides a quality sequential seven-year integrated education program based on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) which outline the foundation knowledge, skills and behaviours that children must develop to become successful learners at school. Specialist teachers offer programs, based on the Standards, in Italian, Visual Art, Music, Physical Education and Library. Successful learning outcomes for all students are supported by the Reading Recovery program in Year 1 and Early Years Support from Prep to Year 4.
The school's computer network, comprising over 200 computers, provides all classrooms and specialist areas with access to multimedia programs, internet and library software to enable staff and students to efficiently access and utilise information.
Additional programs include: camping, bike education, religious education, drug education, swimming, perceptual motor program, sexuality education and first aid for students. Students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of enrichment and extension activities including: the student representative council, school choir, orchestra, ensembles, school productions, biennial Arts Festival, sport electives, interschool sport and lunchtime interest clubs. The school offers extra-curricular opportunities for student leadership development through a number of programs including instrumental music, gymnastics and sports groups.
Built in 1908, the school is located in a heritage overlay area and features many notable architectural characteristics from that period. The school community appreciates and values the character and history of the school and places a high priority on its conservation. Facilities comprise twenty three classrooms, a large hall, multi-purpose room, library, visual art centre, music room, computer laboratory, physical education resource area, an oval, two adventure playground areas and a range of passive outdoor areas.
There is strong enrolment pressure on the school. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and School Council have worked co-operatively over the years to restrict enrolments to a maximum of 550 students. Accommodation and space constraints limit enrolments. The enrolment zone is bounded by Riversdale, Union and Canterbury Roads and the Belgrave/Lilydale and Alamein railway lines. Whilst the school accepts enrolments from outside this area if accommodation permits, places can only be guaranteed to children residing within the enrolment zone.
The valuable and essential contribution made to the school and the wider community by its team of dedicated and caring staff is widely recognised. Members of staff are highly committed and have high expectations of themselves, peers and students. In order to continually improve student learning, staff pursue ongoing professional development.
There is a high level of participation in the life of the school by the parents, council and staff members and this continues to be encouraged and supported. It is a place where learning is valued and supported by all, which contributes directly to students' achievement in learning and personal development.
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