Go back to our strategy for public education in South Australia

Video transcript

It's a really tricky thing to describe about Westport and why it's so special, it's the sense of belonging, the warmth, the joy, the faces lighting up, everybody is on board with that and it's a whatever it takes approach.

Our results are great, improving constantly because we have high expectations for all, consistent evidence-based programs from preschool to year six, a relentless focus on learning and constant checking in to make sure our teachers are supported to commit to the whole school practice as we've agreed upon.

Something we're super proud of is there's rarely a gap between our Aboriginal students and non-Aboriginal students, it fluctuates slightly but very minor if there is a gap.

We just have high expectations for all kids, and we don't separate our students.

What we're seeing now are happy, confident students who are set up for success on an even playing field with no matter who they are going to be up against in the future.

I strongly believe that students can't excel unless they feel happy and safe, so, when they walk into my classroom in the morning they know they're going to be greeted with a smiling face, they know they're going to have a great day and they're ready to engage with whatever learning I give them, and they'll give everything a try based out of a love of learning.

So, Tosh how do you think the bump it up wall helps you see how to improve your writing?

I look at it and it gives me different opportunities and different perspectives on how I could improve my text structure.

I am definitely emotionally invested in all of my students and their success.

When you see the growth on paper that's what matters.

When they do NAPLAN, or when they do their PAT testing, or when you look at their bookwork it's that growth that really is what makes your heart feel warm because you know what you're doing is working.

I'm really proud to be a student at Westport because they've provided such good learning for me that I know that I'll be ready for high school.

I love Westport because I always feel like I fit in and I love all the different, like, personalities of everyone and all the students.

We always feel like we belong.

Does any of you know your maths Target at the moment?

Multiplication. So, two to ten times tables with 90% accuracy.

What's your highlight of Year 6 so far?

Like, hanging out with more friends and going, having lots of opportunities.

We have a beautiful, diverse background of cultures here at Westport but a particularly high percentage of Aboriginal students which we love but there's one night in particular we get a whole entire community to celebrate and we call it 'Fringedigenous.'

It was a great success, huge numbers, and just a really, really joyful fun evening for our whole community.

It was a really good time to celebrate our culture with the school so then everybody knows what's happened in the past and who we actually are.

The minute I walked into this school I knew this was the place I wanted to work because in every classroom every teacher was working towards the same goal of students achieving and learning and it's a beautiful place to work.

You are loved, you're supported.

I love my job, I love being out and about with the kids, but I also love seeing them come from preschool and graduating in year six where we just cry all night because we don't want to let them go, but we know  we have set them up for the future that they want.

End of transcript.

Go back to our strategy for public education in South Australia