WESTPORT Public School has used extra equity funding to aid students from a low socio-economic background.
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School principal Tony Johnston said the additional funds go towards improving students right across the school, with targeted help for certain students.
“Our school is 23 percent Aboriginal, and we have students who require extra help,” he said.
“The school receives extra equity funding that addresses socio-economic level. One of the ways we have used those funds is an ‘iCan’ room, which was set up by a former principal a few years ago.”
The school operates the PBL program (Positive Behaviour for Learning) which addresses behaviour in a positive way, to stay away from the negatives.
“PBL is run in a lot of different schools, but we have had it for a very long time which was started by former principal Mark Youngblutt,” Mr Johnston said.
“We continually strengthen that program in the school and to me, that program is a culture in the school. It’s a part of the school.
“The iCan room fits into that whole model. It is a positive aspect of our school. There are a number of students who are on the spectrum, and the room aids students who are finding it difficult in the classroom.”
Students in the school who may not be coping in the classroom are able to take their work into the iCan room where a qualified teacher is based full time.
This is one of the ways extra funding is used.
“They will do work with the teacher, who also has a strong background in welfare,” Mr Johnstone said.
“When things calm down, they can integrate back into the regular classroom.
“Normally there are only a couple of students in the room, but it is a safe haven for students who need it. We have a lot of students whose behaviour can be quite interesting or complex.”
The funds are also used in supporting student’s right across the school, and targeted help for certain students, as well as teachers aids for example.
“It’s all about supporting students in the classroom,” he said.
“We will continue to run these programs, which will evolve and will always be adjusted to ensure they are effective.
“The benefits have been huge. Our school adheres to school values, and those values were developed when the PBL was first started.
“Now, we are doing a revamp of PBL and are just going through those values to ensure that we continue to change, as the school is constantly changing in a positive way.”