Wallaville State School has been named as a Positive Behaviour for Learning Demonstration School for 2020, one of only five in the state.
Principal Kerry Inskip said the award came about from a change of culture at the school.
“In 2012 when I was appointed principal, we consulted with both the school and community and agreed that Wallaville State School would benefit from a change of focus to improve school culture both perceived and real,” Kerry said.
“The Wallaville Way was born.
“The School’s Positive Behaviour for Learning leadership team then set out to move from a culture of negativity to one where Wallaville students are proud of where they come from, can do anything they set out to do, and achieve great learning progressions because they and the school community expects nothing less.
The improvements to staff, student and community perceptions have been impressive.
Wallaville Way fosters high expectations
“I’m very proud of the culture that we’ve been able to create – a learning culture that fosters high expectations,” said Kerry.
“We now have a belief in our worth as learners and as a community, with a strong focus of inclusivity of all members of our school.”
The pride in their school is unmistakeable in their vision statement:
“The Wallaville Way”: We’re proud to call Wallaville home. We CAN do anything we set out to do. We CAN achieve great things BECAUSE we choose to not accept anything less.
Cr Wayne Honor said that pride transferred to the wider community.
“Wallaville is an area that is steeped in history, built on the sugar industry with the Gin Gin Sugar Mill situated in the town,” Cr Honor said.
“It was a vibrant town of sugar workers and farmers and the school has always been central to the identity of Wallaville.”
Cr Honor said the community has evolved with much more diversified agricultural products that now demand staff from the local area.
“Wallaville State School caters for the children from families that contribute to our regional economy,” he said.
“It's no surprise that the students are motivated by this rural setting and mentored by competent teaching staff the guidance is always focused on excellence.
“Congratulations to the Wallaville School and community for demonstrating innovative learning processes that can be adopted in other school curriculums.”
Mayor Jack Dempsey congratulated the school on its success.
“Principal Kerry Inskip and her team have done a terrific job in building a strong culture at the school,” he said.
“The leadership team set out to move from a culture of negativity to one where Wallaville students are proud of where they come from, can do anything they set out to do, and achieve great learning outcomes.
“Cr Honor and myself were both inspired to hear the story and share the community celebration.”
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