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Written by Administrator
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Location and Demographics
St. Kilda Park Primary School, founded in 1881, is an inner suburban bayside school with a population of 316 children in 2005. It is situated on a quiet site, with parkland on two of its borders.
The immediate physical environment of the school is an apt reflection of the diversity of the surrounding St Kilda neighbourhood – it embraces:
• low income housing abutting the school and parkland;
• medium to high density housing that has undergone significant redevelopment/upgrading in recent years – noting that St Kilda has the highest levels of population density of any Victorian municipality;
• extensive parkland with highly developed sporting facilities and active sports clubs;
• a busy commercial/retail/entertainment strip;
• tourist destinations and associated backpacker and hotel style accommodation;
• a number of welfare agencies catering for homeless persons.
These elements influence the composition and character of the school community and a number of the special programs and activities of the school. A dominant value within the school community is tolerance of diversity. The school community also has for a number of years had a strong artistic orientation – this has been reflected in the priority accorded to the visual and performing arts. The proximity to Albert Park has enabled the school to encourage high levels of participation in sport/physical activity both within and outside school hours.
The school community encompasses a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. This spread is widening as the surrounding residential area becomes more affluent. While some 20% of the families are EMA recipients, in recent years there have been increasing numbers of children entering the private sector at year 7.
The number of families with a Language Background other than English (LBOTE) is relatively small. However, this does not fully capture the broad range of cultural backgrounds represented at the school, many of which are families that use English at home. The school continues to have a small number of Koorie students. The school prides itself on celebrating and acknowledging its diverse community. Interest in the school (enrolment inquiries) has reached a level so that zoning has been introduced for the local area. This has applied at prep level since 1996 and more recently across all levels.
Physical Environment
The original two-storey brick building houses classrooms, staff facilities, internal toilets, a library, a dark room, a first aid room and the administration centre. This building is classified by the National Trust. Adjoining this building is a single storey wing, added in 1980, containing the prep classrooms, a purpose-built art room, a performing arts space, toilets and store rooms. We have three portable classrooms, two of which are located in an older-style ‘Bristol’ building. A major renovation of the school buildings occurred recently .
Most classrooms have connecting doors, providing opportunities for team-teaching. All classrooms and specialist areas, the staffroom and the administration centre are equipped with computers and internet access. A dedicated computer laboratory space has recently been established.
The Before and After School Care Program is housed in two separate buildings within the school grounds, these have computer and cooking facilities.
Wide verandahs at the front and back of the single storey building provide shelter from the rain and sun. The internal quadrangle is regularly used as a school assembly area and as the gathering point for the children to eat play-lunch and lunch.
The school grounds are lined with large, shady elm trees and include an adventure playground and basketball/netball court. The children also have regular daily access to the adjoining parkland as part of supervised play at recess and lunchtimes and for physical education classes.
The school is well served by public transport – bus, light rail and tram. Car access to the school is by means of a minor roadway off Fitzroy Street. This roadway is on land owned by DE&T but is used as a means of accessing Albert Park and the surrounding area.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 October 2008 )
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