LEADING IN EDUCATION

SOUTHERN Cross Public School has begun the transformation to a contemporary, creative and innovative primary school focused on delivering engaging and inspirational learning opportunities for its students.

“We have been working diligently over the past three years to ensure that our students and learning community have access to quality teaching and learning opportunities that are presented within highly resourced and collaborative learning spaces,” principal Alan Orchard said.

“Our classrooms have been designed to support student engagement and foster creative and critical thinking through robust collaborative learning structures, supported by contemporary technologies.”

The introduction of Project Based Learning and collaborative structures, centred on the development of learning dispositions, has enabled Southern Cross Public School students to progress seamlessly into secondary studies delivered at the new Ballina Coast High School. “We will continue to grow with the vision of making our school a quality educational centre servicing our learning community, through strong partnerships, such as Rainbow Childcare, gymnastics, basketball, little kickers, junior engineers and sporting schools,” Mr Orchard said,

With five support classes focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a variety of student needs, Southern Cross Public School is committed to fostering understanding, caring and empathy within a rich and diverse learning environment through strong collaboration. “We offer a multitude of amazing learning opportunities that are supported by specialist teachers across all key learning areas,” Mr Orchard said.

“Our creative arts team offers dance, choir, band and music lessons for all students.”

STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) continues to be introduced across all key learning areas, with a specialised learning space established with robotics, drones, spheros, Lego mindstorm, 3D design and printing, augmented reality and virtual reality available to all students.

“Our learning culture is supported through our values of respect, responsibility and excellence, allowing students to strive to be the very best version of themselves,” Mr Orchard explained.

“Southern Cross Public School will continue to strive to be the best for its students through community engagement, quality teaching and learning, genuine collaboration, co-operative learning structures and by being innovative in our endeavour to develop critical and creative thinkers for the future.

“We will do this by having a clear plan for the future and respecting the rich and amazing history of our school and learning community.”