Warrnambool East Primary School is situated in the coastal town of Warrnambool some 260kms southwest of Melbourne. Established in 1958 the school draws its students from a wide residential area and a diverse range of backgrounds. Students attend the school from all parts of Warrnambool with approx 40 students travelling to the school by bus each day. Understandably the majority of our students live within the immediate area but with a neighbouring school two kilometres to the west it is not surprising that our feeder area extends much further to the East and North.

The school has opted to group students in curriculum levels where possible and runs composite classes across all levels except Prep. Staff subschool teams operate at the VELS levels, an expert teacher coordinates the classes at each level and the responsibilities become a team issue. Individuals are also allocated whole of school responsibilities in keeping with their interests, capabilities and experience. The Leadership Group now comprises two principal class officers and four curriculum leaders in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, Well-being and Engagement and Transitions and Pathways.

Concern for students’ social development and welfare pervades all areas of the school curriculum and is supported by the Learning How To Learn program and a range of specialised supports to encourage the development of academic and social skills. The school believes that students can assume some responsibility for their own learning and works to make this a reality. Student leadership and involvement is strongly promoted. Every class develops its own learning plan at the beginning of the year that states the specific class rules and the goals of the group.