Our School

Welcome to Deepdene Primary School. We pride ourselves on being a community that is open and friendly, with a genuine desire for parents to take an active part in their children’s schooling. Deepdene Primary is a school that embraces the diversity other cultures bring to Australia. I invite you to explore our website and discover the many opportunities available to students at Deepdene Primary School.

Our school provides a safe, inclusive and stimulating learning environment where academic achievement and student wellbeing are highly valued. We recognise that every student is unique, bringing their own talents, interests and strengths to our community. We are committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences that enable every student to achieve their personal best. We demonstrate this through excellent NAPLAN results, through evidence-informed teaching practices, high expectations and a commitment to continuous improvement, we challenge and support every learner to make strong progress throughout their time at Deepdene Primary School.

Alongside a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, we aim to develop thoughtful and reflective learners, with life skills that prepare our students for a rapidly changing world. In weekly Philosophy classes, all students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, consider different perspectives and engage in discussion. Important to a child’s social and emotional development, a well-rounded education is provided at Deepdene Primary School through our broad curriculum, which includes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), French, Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and Music.

We are particularly proud of our outstanding Instrumental Music Program, which provides students with opportunities to learn an instrument and participate in a range of ensembles, including Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble and Chamber Strings. These experiences help foster creativity, collaboration, confidence and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Our values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Inclusion, Compassion and Integrity shape the way we learn, work and interact with one another each day. These values help create a culture where students feel safe, respected and empowered to contribute positively to their school life.

A defining strength of Deepdene Primary School is our strong sense of community and belonging. We value the partnership between home and school and believe that students achieve their best when families and educators work together. Parents are encouraged to participate in school life through classroom support, excursions, camps, school events, parent-teacher meetings and School Council. Our Parents’ Association plays a vital role in strengthening connections across our community through social events and fundraising initiatives. The warmth, generosity and engagement of our families contribute significantly to the vibrant culture that makes Deepdene such a special place.

Our staff, students, families and I look forward to meeting you and sharing in your child’s learning journey.

Tim Green

Principal, Deepdene Primary School

School Councils are legally formed bodies that set the directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a School Council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

The broad role of School Council is to oversee the:

• Establishment the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community
• Development and monitoring the school Strategic Plan
• Development, review and update of school policies
• Development, review and monitoring the Student Code of Conduct and the School Dress Code
• Fundraising for school related purposes
• Approval of the annual budget and monitoring of expenditure
• Maintenance the school’s grounds and facilities
• Entering into contracts (e.g. cleaning, construction work)
• Annual Report to the school community and to DET

and to stimulate interest in the school generally.

The School Council does not manage the day to day running of the school. For example, it does not employ teaching staff, decide which classes students will be assigned to, or sort out issues relating to individual teachers and students and/or parents. Nor does it discuss individual issues relating to teachers or staff, parents or students – these are very clearly management roles, and therefore the Principal’s job.

Membership of School Council:
Within the School Council, there are three categories of members:

• A mandated elected parent category
• A mandated elected DET employee category
• An optional co-opted community member category

The Principal is an ongoing member and Executive Officer of the School Council.

The term of office for all elected members is two years. Half the members withdraw each year and may stand for re-election, creating vacancies for the annual school council nominations.

Meetings are held in the staff room at 6pm, on two Wednesdays each term.