Vision
To provide a safe and challenging learning environment, empowering students to strive for personal excellence and become lifelong learners.
Guiding Principles
EnvironmentPatterson Lakes Primary School opened in 1979 and is located in the residential corridor between the Frankston Freeway and Port Phillip Bay, 33km SSE of the Melbourne CBD. The school is surrounded by a series of interconnected canals around the Patterson River waterway. The school has modern buildings, grounds and facilities that have the flexibility of both open plan and regular style classrooms. During 1997 the school completed a major upgrade and refurbishment project. Features include a visual arts room, library, learning technologies centre, administration block and extensive undercover areas. The grounds include a large oval, grassed playing areas, adventure playgrounds and basketball courts. A covered walkway provides access to two multi-purpose areas in the Patterson Lakes Community Centre.
School Population The school has a increasing enrolment of 538 students, which is expected to increase marginally over the next 5 years. Although more than 52% of students live in Patterson Lakes, 48% live elsewhere, mostly in neighbouring suburbs. There is no significant gender difference in enrolments. The school has a Neighbourhood Enrolment Zone which has assisted in limiting enrolments.
CurriculumAt Patterson Lakes Primary School, all students participate in a comprehensive curriculum. The breadth and richness of curriculum offered allows students to be actively involved in their learning, acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. Our curriculum is based on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards [VELS] which describes what students should know and be able to do in key areas from Prep to Year 10. VELS is based on 3 core interrelated strands of learning:
1. Physical, Personal and Social Learning This includes physical, personal and social skills such as being active and healthy, developing self confidence, managing personal learning and working with others. 2. Discipline-based Learning This includes knowledge and understanding from the key subjects of English, Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Languages and The Arts. 3. Interdisciplinary Learning This includes other essential skills that apply across curriculum areas such as thinking, design, problem solving, communicating, and using information and communications technology.
ProgramsEmphasis is placed on the provision of effective literacy and numeracy programs that cater for all students with science and student wellbeing nominated as additional focus areas. Learning outcomes for students are maximised by whole school planning and program implementation, ongoing professional development for staff, appropriate resource provision, special needs assistance, comprehensive assessment and reporting practices and regular evaluation of all school programs.
Support Programs The school offers programs to support students with specific learning needs including Reading Recovery, a Year 3 - 6 Enrichment for All program, a Prep and Year 4 Buddy Program, a successful Integration program and a Special Needs program. Supporting programs, which complement the Key Learning Areas include a networked Learning Technologies Program, Life Education, Swimming (Prep, 1 & 2), Inter-School Sport (5 & 6), Concert (Prep to 4),Year 5 & 6 School Production, Perceptual Motor Program (Prep), Camping Program (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6), Chess coaching & Tournaments, and Bike Education. A range of excursions, incursions, visitors and speakers, and involvement in a range of events such as Robotics and Melbourne Water Youth Conferences and Science activities to further enhance learning experiences for students.
Student Well Being At Patterson Lakes there is a strong emphasis on developing social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing in all students. The school supports the development of student wellbeing through a comprehensive approach through a range of wide and varied classroom programs and extra curricular activities. The school has an environment that is caring, positive, orderly and safe. It is conducive to learning, nurtures individuals, celebrates strengths and differences, and reflects expectations for reasonable and responsible behaviour. School leadership, teachers, students, parents and families work together to successfully manage the learning and physical environment. They jointly foster pride in the school and a healthy school spirit.