"Learning Together"

The rural community of Avenel, 112km north of Melbourne on the Hume freeway, is justifiably proud of the primary education provided to the 125 children from the township and surrounding districts. The school provides an excellent educational environment created by the pupils, staff, parents, and community at large.

This quality learning environment is complemented by the attractive brick school complex of five rooms, which together with four portables are centrally placed on the spacious 2.2-hectare block. An enormous oak tree overshadows the buildings reminding the school community of its proud history. More recent additions to the grounds are a new playground, kitchen garden, technology room and sporting facilities which blend into our spacious gardens.

The school is centrally placed in the township, close to other sporting and community facilities. As well, the central locality ensures that all community members are aware of the activities under way at " their " school.

Ethos
It is the aim of the Avenel Primary School to create a friendly, caring, purposeful, responsible and cooperative school climate where children, teachers, and parents work together towards the realisation of common goals of education within their wider community.

Curriculum Provision
Our school's mission is to excel in education. The children's attainment of literacy, numeracy, thinking, social, good behavioural, physical and creative skills is the focus of our teaching and learning. The school provides all children with a range of learning experiences which promotes excellence in all learning, assists students to improve, and value their own learning, and to develop self esteem, confidence, and independence. Special emphasis is placed upon the importance of pupils, especially older students, caring for the needs of other students.

The school is currently organised with composite classes and provides an inclusive curriculum covering the eight Key Learning Areas - Arts, English, Health (including P.E. and Sport), Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.), Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and the Environment and Technology. Extra curricula activities include Sunsmart and Drug Education programs as well as a suicide prevention program being developed. The school is a You Can Do It school - teaching children of all ages the principles of confidence, organisation, getting along and persistence. Our high levels of student achievement are achieved through team planning, co-operation, sharing resources, and organisational structures that ensure efficient and effective use of personnel and resources.

Staffing
The dedicated and professional staff with wide ranging skills and abilities is a vital asset. The staff are caring and respectful of students needs, encouraging children to reach their full potential.

Community and Parents
The school enjoys a close working relationship with its community. The Principal, Staff, School Council, Parents and Friends Association, and others work together to develop policy and achieve an effective learning environment for the students.

Vision Statement
Our school places a great emphasis upon the professional development of teachers and the training of parents. Parents are central to our school and regularly assist and participate in our many activities. Our school is also a central venue for learning in computers and information technology. The goals and aspirations of our Charter are integrated with the concurrent happenings of the school enhance the learning opportunities for students. All of the members of the Avenel Primary School community are committed to the further development of the school's image as a vibrant forward looking institution caring for its children.