Carlton Gardens Primary School

Carlton Gardens Primary School (number 2605) is a historic state school in inner Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located at 215 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria, between Grattan and Pelham streets, overlooking the Carlton Gardens. ( [http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.801646,144.9702&spn=0.009138,0.017338&z=16 Google map reference] ).

Infobox Aust school
name = Carlton Gardens Primary School


motto = ‘Academic excellence through diversity in a friendly and caring community’
established = 1884
type = Primary
principal = Gayle Ciotti (acting)
city = Melbourne
state = Victoria
country = Australia
coordinates = 37°48'7.34"S 144°58'9.20"E
campus = 215 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria
enrolment = 5 - 11 mixed sex
homepage = http://www.carltongardens.vic.edu.au/

It is the closest school to Melbourne's CBD, and is also near the Melbourne Museum, RMIT and the University of Melbourne, with which the school has historic links.

Working With The Melbourne City Council

Carlton Gardens Primary School has worked very well with the Melbourne City Council, notably with its excellent friendship with current Lord Mayor John So.

History

Opened in 1884, Carlton Gardens Primary School has operated continuously since that time, though it was briefly used as a hospital during the 1919 flu epidemic. During its history the school has been alternatively known as Rathdowne Street Primary School and Carlton Primary School. It was built in one of the first subdivisions of land outside central Melbourne. The grounds were bought by the Education Department from landowner Thomas O'Grady in 1869 and described at the time as "one of the best, if not the best in Carlton".

Excellent Facilities

The school recently renovated its playground facilities, and in 1999 conducted a full-scale renovation of the campus building. It recently installed a Rain Garden (funded by Melboune Water).

chool Size

The school is relatively small by modern standards, housing 160 students in one large building within a single campus. However at various times it has housed up to 1000 students.

chool Curriculum

(From Carlton Gardens Primary School Website)

English

At Carlton Gardens Primary School we understand that English underpins all teaching and learning in all curriculum areas. We understand that students learn best when they feel that what they are learning is relevant to their lives and where close working relationships exist between teachers and students. English includes the learning of Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Viewing.

Through our Early Years (P-4) and Middle Years (5-6) Programmes, students use English to learn how language functions in society. They are encouraged through our needs and ability based groups to:

• Participate actively and effectively• Gain confidence and a sense of purpose and enjoyment in a wide range of contexts• Convey and discover information, work through ideas and express feelings.

Students learn how language works and how to use it well. This is achieved through:

• Personal and social development of the individual• Developing a love of reading and writing• Taking pleasure in using texts to explore ideas and to think critically about their world and the global community• Knowledge about how language functions.

The daily English block incorporates two hours of reading and writing. Children use both reading and writing, speaking and listening, to make connections and relationships between subject areas, which were traditionally taught in isolation. This approach is promoted through the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and reflected in our teaching at Carlton Gardens. Mathematics

At Carlton Gardens Primary School, we offer a comprehensive program, which aims to allow each child time to develop the necessary skills in Numeracy to establish key mathematical concepts. Activities are presented to provide children with the necessary skills and strategies to deal with maths situations in everyday life.

All classroom Numeracy programs and assessment are in line with the Mathematics VELS (Victorian Essential Learning Standards).

Carlton Gardens Primary School ensures each class dedicates approximately one hour of Numeracy every day. The teaching program follows the Early/Middle Years model of: whole class – small group - whole class. This caters for diversity within the classroom and enables each student to work at an individual learning level appropriate to their mathematical needs.A program of ongoing monitoring and assessment ensures the lessons remain focused and build upon the students’ existing knowledge and abilities. ScienceTechnology

At Carlton Gardens we have both a fully networked computer lab with a class set of new PC’s as well as new computers in each classroom.

All students receive a one hour specialist class focussing on the acquisition of new ICT skills per week.

Students learn operation and navigation skills that enhance individual exploration and research.

Students learn how to utilise the functions available in the menu and tool bars and access programs that support diversity in the presentation of their work.

Access to interactive software programs in Literacy, Numeracy and Problem Solving enables students to work individually or in group tasks that link directly to topics that support class work.

Carlton Gardens supports the active use of computers in the students’ learning and recognises the value of communication and developmental exploration in today’s multi media generation. Study of Society and Environment ( S.O.S.E)Integrated Studies

At Carlton Gardens Primary School we believe that for our students to become lifelong learners, who are successful at both school and later on in the workforce, they will need a diverse range of qualities and skills. They will need to be able to:

* Pose and solve problems * Think creatively and logically * Be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and have the ability to self reflect * Be both independent and collaborative workers * Have strong resilience skills so they are able to manage themselves well and deal with change effectively * Make informed decisions about the way they interact with the world’s people and its environment

Integrated Studies covers all subject areas and lays the foundations for students to make connections and relationships between subject areas which were traditionally taught in isolation. Through Integrated Studies students develop important understandings, concepts, values and skills. They become explorers, gatherers and presenters of information enabling them to see the relationships and links between their learning and the wider world.

Integrated Studies is best delivered through an inquiry based learning approach. Inquiry based learning is a process where students work with teachers to form their own questions about a topic and have time to explore the answers. The learning is meaningful and real to the students and they take responsibility for their own learning.L.O.T.E ItalianHealth and Physical Education

All students at Carlton Gardens participate regularly in physical activity and game situations. There is a focus on the development of fundamental motor skills along with the teaching of rules and procedures of games, safe use of equipment and space and the development of co-operative skills, sharing of equipment and playing of team sports.

· All students receive a one hour specialist class per week.

· Senior students participate in Interschool Sport – Summer and Winter team sports, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals.

· Whole School intensive Swimming Program at local pool.

· Junior Perceptual Motor Program.

· Specialised Tennis classes for senior grades.

Carlton Gardens recognises and encourages physical activity, sport and recreation as important long term pursuits with regard to health, leisure time, social interaction, personal challenge, growth and enjoyment.The Arts

The school places a high priority on Literacy and Numeracy skills, taught through the English and Mathematics Key Learning Areas (KLAs). Extra Curricular ClassesKeyboard and guitar classes

The school offers weekly keyboard and guitar lessons. Parents interested in enrolling their child can obtain an enrolment form from the office.French classesPrivate tuition is available at the school twice weekly. Please contact the school for details.

References

"Rathdowne Street 1884-1984: A Centennial History" (Faye Schutt, 1984) ISBN 0 9590613 0 4

"Carlton: a history" (Peter Yule, 2004)

See also

* List of schools in Victoria

External links

Carlton Gardens Primary School Website: http://www.carltongardens.vic.edu.au/