John Palmer Public School, located at The Ponds was officially opened today by the NSW Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth.
John Palmer Public School is one of the first facilities to be completed as part of development of the new suburb, The Ponds. At the beginning of this year, the school started with just 44 pupils but it is anticipated that over 600 students will enrol within the next 3 – 5 years as the suburb grows.
The school’s sixty-eight students, parents, development partners including Australand and Landcom and other dignitaries attended the opening.
Students marked the occasion with a performance of a Julian Lennon song and the school’s two youngest students, Diya Patel and Halle Hupfeld, cut a specially made cake.
Deborah Blackwell, Principal at John Palmer Public School said, “The community has been heavily involved with policy making and determining the future pathway for the school.”
“John Palmer Public School is committed to working as part of a learning community. The school is using cutting edge of technology to assist in learning by incorporating state-of-the-art facilities such as video conferencing and interactive classroom activities. These services will start running during 2009 allowing students to interact with other schools on state and international levels,” she continued.
Developers of The Ponds, Sydney’s newest suburb in the North West, Australand and Landcom recently presented $15,000 to the school which has been used to buy fiction books for a reading scheme.
“Without the sponsorship we could not have purchased the entire series. Beginners through to adults can read the books which comprise many different titles to develop literacy skills,” said Mrs Blackwell.
“Seventy per cent of our kindergarten students have already reached a reading level of eight and five students are reading at level 18 which is an outstanding achievement. The majority of students at the school are also participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge.”
“Computer programs that support the book series have also been purchased to match programs with an interactive component,” she added.
Tony Pizzolato, Australand’s General Manager for Residential said Australand and Landcom were dedicated to supporting community growth at The Ponds.
“The future of this spirited and healthy community lies in the support of young families, especially children. Education is critical to establishing a secure and sustainable community environment.”
“When the principal Deborah Blackwell suggested that the best way to help the local school was to stock the library, we were only too pleased to oblige,” he added.
“A community centre has also been planned to be built adjacent to the school which will be supported by two playing fields, several recreational facilities including four tennis and netball courts, a BBQ area and kilometres of cycle and bike paths for the students and community to use.”
John Palmer Public School has already implemented several initiatives into the school curriculum including the Premier’s Sporting Challenge, with ninety per cent of children on track to obtain a gold certificate for participation in the fitness program.
Music is also becoming a major part of the school’s curriculum. A recorder group and local school band have already been formed and is free of charge to all students. Last month the school participated in the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta as part of the celebrating arts program. The recorder group is training for the Instrumental Music Festival which will be held at the Opera House early next year.
John Palmer Public School is a joint state and federal initiative. It is part of the public private partnership program between the Department of Education and Hansen Yuncken consortium.
Australand and Landcom facilitated the delivery of land and infrastructure for the school and incorporated its inclusion in the planning of the 390 hectare master-planned community at The Ponds.
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