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Grovedale West Primary School is the neighbourhood school for families residing in Waurn Ponds and Grovedale.

The school is approximately 10 minutes from the Geelong City Centre and 10- 15 minutes from the coastal townships of Torquay and Barwon Heads. The school is conveniently situated between Torquay Highway and Anglesea Highway. The direct road routes to the Ring Road to Melbourne and the Geelong City Centre, enable families to drop off and collect their children on their way to and from work, knowing that they can be cared for in excellent Before and After School Care facilities.

The school is also situated near a number of excellent Day Care Facilities, Pre-Schools, Secondary Schools and within five minutes to Deakin University and the Epworth Hospital.

With an enrolment of approximately 365 students, the school is a comfortable size enabling staff to build positive relationships and connections with the students and their families.

Grovedale West Primary school is fortunate to be situated in very spacious grounds surrounded by native trees, large expanses of grass and sporting ovals. Students also have the opportunity to play in passive garden areas or in well equipped playgrounds. Large classrooms have been strategically created to ensure that students have flexible and spacious learning areas. In 2022 we will commence construction of an additional new purpose designed learning centre which will incorporate a discovery outdoor learning environment.

Our students also enjoy the opportunity to learn within well resourced facilities including a Kids Kitchen and Gymnasium. The students are provided with a broad range of technology and STEM resources.

As a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden School, the children have a well established kitchen garden and excellent Kid's Kitchen in which to develop their cooking skills and knowledge of food.

The school's Science, Technology, Music and Arts area provides a broad range of intellectually challenging learning activities for the students. The Science and Technology program provided to all students Prep to Year 6 provides the opportunity to enjoy learning through the physical and biological sciences.

The children also enjoy engaging in their Junior Landcare and sustainability program, assisting within the school and broader community.

Language development through learning a foreign language is promoted by the provision of Italian LOTE. LOTE is a valuable component of a child's education providing the foundations required for VCE LOTE, other tertiary education requirements and future employment opportunities as well as life skills. Several neighbourhood schools also teach Italian providing a positive learning network, continuity and enhanced transition opportunities for our students.

The school has a diverse Performing Arts and Music focus with children immersed in a range of Music and Performing Arts experiences. A Year 5 and 6 Circus Skills program also supports the students in developing team work skills, confidence and self esteem. The Circus Troupe is frequently invited to perform publicly. All students participate in school concert where they showcase their talents.
Many students are also actively involved in school groups such as (Djembe, Auslan Choir, Ukelele and Instrumental bands) that perform at school and community events.

Our students are encouraged to be active, healthy citizens and are supported by a comprehensive Physical Education and sporting program. The students have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of sporting activities within the school as well as through competition with other students and schools, at Zone, Regional and State events. A Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds philosophy is supported by a heathy eating policy as recommended by DET guidelines and daily mindfulness activities. A key focus is supporting students to develop a growth mindset.

The school promotes a Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds approach where children are provided with skills to have positive mindsets and resilience to support their everyday life. The teachers support the students to develop strategies to communicate effectively, to articulate their thinking, to problem solve and to bounce back from disappointments. The children learn about the attributes of positive thinking.

The school provides a Before and After School Care Program in a well designed and comfortable OSHC Centre, which feels a little like home.

Our commitment to ensuring that all students’ needs are identified and addressed is evident through the time and care that teachers take in developing personalised goals for each student and ensuring ongoing communication with parents.

Our vision is to ensure that each of our students is provided with personalised learning opportunities, challenges, enjoyment, success and engagement in learning to enable them to achieve their full potential. We see them learning, to become the change agents for their future.

Our school values are RISE

• Responsibility
• Inspiration
• Strength of Character
• Empathy