Teaching and Learning
At our school, we teach the NSW Curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.
Our Learning Approach
At our school, we are committed to providing the highest quality education by adopting evidence-based practices aligned with the NSW Department of Education’s "What Works Best" framework. This framework highlights eight key themes that enhance student learning outcomes: High Expectations, Explicit Teaching, Effective Feedback, Use of Data to Inform Practice, Assessment, Classroom Management, Wellbeing, and Collaboration.
These themes are interconnected and most effective when embraced as whole-school approaches rather than isolated strategies. Our school places particular emphasis on explicit teaching, where we clearly communicate to students what they are learning, why it matters, and guide them through each step of the learning process. This approach helps break down complex concepts into manageable parts, fostering deeper understanding.
Our learning environment is student-centred, inclusive, and practical. We are dedicated to equity and access, ensuring all students’ diverse learning styles and needs are supported. Our teachers employ proven teaching methods and engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with best practices.
Our comprehensive learning approach includes:
- Real-world learning: Engaging students through hands-on tasks, collaborative group work, and exploration of new ideas
- Technology integration: Utilising digital tools to enhance learning and develop essential digital skills
- Flexible teaching: Providing tailored support focused on each student’s individual needs and wellbeing
- Community connections: Building strong links through excursions and partnerships with local programs
Together, these elements create a dynamic and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive and succeed.
Curriculum at Wallacia Public School
English
The aim of English in Years K–10 is to enable students to understand and use language effectively. Students learn to appreciate, reflect on and enjoy language, and make meaning in ways that are imaginative, creative, interpretive, critical and powerful.
Mathematics
The aim of Mathematics K–10 is to enable students to confidently use and apply the language of mathematics to communicate clearly. They develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and gain fluency with processes that support effective problem-solving and interpretation.
Science & Technology
The aim of the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus is to develop students' knowledge, skills, and understanding of science and technology, fostering curiosity and the ability to create solutions that benefit society and the planet, while preparing them to be informed and engaged citizens.
HSIE
The aim of the Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus is to develop students' understanding of Aboriginal cultures and histories, geographical and historical knowledge, and Australia's democracy, fostering a sense of belonging and curiosity about their world and its past.
Creative Arts
The aim of the Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus is to develop students' artistic skills and understanding in Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts, fostering creativity, self-expression, collaboration, and an appreciation of how art reflects cultures and contexts.
PD/H/PE
The aim of PDHPE K–6 is to empower students with the essential knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to promote their wellbeing and make informed choices, enabling them to lead safe, active, and healthy lives.
Assessments
Assessment is used to analyse and interpret the knowledge, understanding and skills that students demonstrate throughout the learning process. Assessment provides information about student learning and achievement at a point in time and the progress students have made.
Reporting to Parents
Reporting is a key part of the learning process, allowing teachers to assess and reflect on student progress. Our school provides mid-year and end-of-year reports, along with one parent-teacher interview each year, to keep families informed and support student growth.
Capabilities & Priorities
The capabilities encompass the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that assist students to live and work successfully.
The capabilities are:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Digital literacy
- Critical and creative thinking
- Ethical understanding
- Intercultural understanding
- Personal and social capability.
The priorities develop students’ understanding of communities, contemporary issues and the world around them.
The priorities are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
- Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia
- Sustainability
- Civics and citizenship
- Diversity and difference
- Work and enterprise.
Inclusive Learning Support
Our inclusive support helps every student thrive by removing barriers and offering flexible learning.
The NSW Department of Education's approach focuses on fostering a culture of diversity, supporting students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms and support classes, and providing evidence-based strategies, resources, and professional learning for teachers. This commitment includes adapting curriculum and teaching methods to meet diverse needs, such as those of Aboriginal students, gifted students, and students learning English as an additional language (EAL/D), as outlined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.
What is Inclusive Education?
Inclusive education means all students, including students with disability, are welcomed by their school and supported to reach their full potential. Inclusion is most effective when schools aim to create a culture that celebrates diversity and builds on the strengths of each student. Inclusive schools nurture professional learning communities that empower teachers to create optimum learning outcomes for students with disability through the use of best practice approaches and current, evidence-based strategies.
Inclusion is about providing equitable access and opportunity to all, and involves removing discrimination and other barriers so that all individuals feel that they belong and are connected. Inclusion creates a learning environment that adapts to each student, rather than expecting students with disability to adapt to the learning environment.
What are disabilities and developmental challenges?
What is personalised learning and support?
All schools provide support for your child, although personalised planning may not be necessary in all cases.
You will be invited to provide input into any plan or adjustment for your child’s education, and it should be updated regularly. Most schools do this every school year, or when required - for example, if your child’s needs change.
Staff at your child’s local school will:
- discuss your child’s strengths, interests and areas of need with you
- help to explain what personalised learning and support for your child might look like
- discuss specific learning adjustments that could be made to support your child, for example to the curriculum, to learning resources, to the way the curriculum is taught, assessment, or your child’s classroom environment
- develop a personalised plan for you child’s learning and support, and
- suggest any support groups or external providers who may be able to support you and your child.
When you meet with your local school to discuss your child’s personalised learning, you may consider your child’s:
- academic progress
- physical health and needs
- behaviour at home
- ability to study and care for themselves independently
- social interactions with their classmates
- emotional wellbeing.
Before these meetings, you might find it helpful to think about how you see your child's future at school and their life after school. Your child’s plan should be helping them work towards these goals.
Additional Learning Support - The Wallacia Way!
Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments that suits each child’s needs.
Additional learning support can include:
- teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
- specialist support for students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
- providing tailored programs to help high potential and gifted students with their advanced learning needs
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small group tutoring to provide targeted literacy and numeracy support for students
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regular check-ins to review and update the planned supports
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changes to the classrooms:
- accessible classrooms
- assistive technology
- instructional resources
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extra guidance, simpler content or different focus during lessons
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assessment adjustments:
- more time
- simpler language
- breaks during tasks
- different ways to complete a task (e.g. oral presentations instead of written tasks).
We know when a student needs help when:
- teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
- reviewing assessment results and learning progress
- parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.
Learn More about Inclusive Learning Support
High Potential and Gifted Education
At Wallacia Public School, our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program is designed to identify and nurture the unique talents and abilities of our students. We provide a supportive and challenging learning environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Through differentiated instruction, enrichment opportunities, and collaborative projects, our HPGE program aims to extend students’ knowledge and skills beyond the standard curriculum, helping them to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
Why choose us for your high potential or gifted child?
Our enrichment programs provide students with opportunities to explore content more deeply and broadly beyond the standard curriculum. Academic enrichment includes hands-on STEM activities in small groups with Mr Grenfell, as well as collaborative projects with Glenmore Park High School, and participation in Debate and Public Speaking Clubs. Creative arts enrichment features dance classes and performances. Physical and outdoor enrichment offers sports teams and skill development clinics.
Student Leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools, visit Student voice and leadership
2025 Student Leaders
School Captains
Grace V and Amelia V
Vice Captains
Isabella P and Bailey S
Many primary schools operate student representative councils (SRC). An SRC is a group of students in a school elected by their fellow students to represent all students in the school and who organise ways for students to participate in school life.
SRC work democratically to represent the student body in school decision-making. Students work together, with help from a staff member, to improve school life and to contribute students’ ideas.
Student Representative Council
K/1 - Danielle F
2/3 - Michelle U and James M
4/5/6 - Dakota C and James P
Student Health & Safety
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school framework that promotes a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment. It helps reduce inappropriate behaviour, improve student wellbeing, and increase time focused on learning. PBL supports teachers in meeting student needs and uses data to guide ongoing school improvement and better outcomes for all students.
Anti-Bullying
Our school is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment where bullying is not tolerated. We promote kindness, respect, and inclusion, and support students to speak up and seek help. Through education and clear policies, we work together to prevent bullying and ensure every student feels safe and valued.
Crunch & Sip
Crunch & Sip® encourages healthy habits by setting aside time each day for students to eat fruit or vegetables and drink water. Developing these habits supports better concentration, learning, and overall wellbeing, helping students perform at their best both academically and socially.
Dental Program
The NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program is a free oral health service available across 11 local health districts in NSW. The program was launched by NSW Health, in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education, with the aim to increase accessibility to vital oral healthcare.
Additional Educational Programs & Activities
Blue Mountains Nepean Dance Festival
The Blue Mountains Nepean Dance Festival each year invites public primary and high schools in the Blue Mountains and Nepean River districts to submit dance items for inclusion in the festival.
The QuickSmart Numeracy intervention program focuses on understanding and recall of basic number facts, performance of elementary calculations, acquisition of appropriate mathematics language, and problem-solving skills.
Penrith Valley Public Speaking Competition
The Penrith Valley Public Speaking Competition is a local-level speaking competition for students in the Penrith area, featuring school, cluster, and semi-final stages
MiniLit is a proven early literacy program that helps Year 1 and 2 students strengthen their reading skills. Designed for small groups or one-on-one support, it provides targeted teaching to boost confidence and improve literacy outcomes.
A multi-faceted program focusing on developing water safety skills and knowledge for primary aged students. Opportunities within the program include ‘Learn to Swim’ and ‘Water Safety Awareness’, classroom resources and teacher professional learning.
NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge
A multi-faceted program including the 10 week Challenge, Race around Australia, sport leadership programs, ambassador program, teaching resources, professional learning and access to funding grants.
Special Religious Education (SRE) teaches approved religious beliefs, while Special Education in Ethics (SEE) offers secular lessons on ethical decision-making. We have Scripture on Tuesday from 12:50pm to 1:20pm. Parents choose SRE or SEE at enrolment and can opt for alternative activities if preferred.
NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.