Page 21 - Inspire Magazine

1 2

WA Primary all strive to achieve more, even when targets “YOU GET THE BEST
School of the are being met; and most importantly, they make
Year finalists each family feel valued and an important part OUT OF PEOPLE BY
(1) Clayton View
Primary School of the school.” EXPECTING THE BEST
(2) Ballajura With such a large number of students,
Primary School this is an impressive task. FROM THEM AND
(3) Rosalie
Primary School Principal Frank Pansini says this point MAKING A POSITIVE
cannot be disputed. Twice a year students are
assessed on their English and mathematics CONNECTION WITH
skills and the data is used to plan for not only OTHERS.”
the whole class, but for smaller groups and
individual student programs. Throughout this
process, parents are kept closely involved.
“Parents can actually see how far their Frank says he feels the responsibility to
children have come in important areas of build every student into a successful person.
writing and reading, for example,” says “It’s not just about learning the core academic
Frank. “Teachers can not only see what their subjects,” he says.
students’ strengths and weaknesses are, but this “Once a term, a small group of Year 6s
3 information can inform them about what sort will come to talk with me about what’s working
of teaching and planning needs to occur.” well, or not so well in the school,” Frank
Like Justine, Frank has been lucky enough explains. “From that, they present suggestions
to be involved in the school since its inception. and make recommendations.
As principal of the Independent Public School “They all get a badge and take on their
he believes “anything is possible if you work responsibility. I’ve seen kids grow and rise to
hard enough.” the occasion and think – why would I deprive
“You end up with a ‘why not?’ attitude any child that opportunity?”
rather than a ‘why?’ and that in itself creates He makes no apologies for having high
its own momentum and people realise that this expectations of everyone at the school, himself
is a place where you can try things and included.
be innovative,” he says. “You get the best out of people by
It seems this positive attitude has seeped expecting the best from them and making a
into every aspect of the school. Teachers are positive connection with others,” Frank says.
often seen video recording their own classes “When you make that connection you really
to seek honest and constructive feedback from want to work hard for the person who believes
their peers, while other staff gather in groups in you.”
to learn and develop from each other’s
particular skills.
Students are not left out. At Aubin Grove
Primary School every Year 6 child is a student
leader.

21