About Our School
History
Churchlands Primary School commenced in 1965 within the buildings of the Churchlands Teachers College, later to become a campus of the West Australian College of Advanced Education which later became Edith Cowan University (ECU). The purpose of the school was to accommodate the growing population in the Floreat and Churchlands suburbs and to provide a “model” school for educating the future teachers of Western Australia. The school continued to operate within the Churchlands Teachers College until 1972 when a new school was opened on the current site. Churchlands Primary School continued to operate as a demonstration school with teachers expected to present “demonstration” lessons on request for academic staff. Churchlands Primary School teachers were well known for their excellence in pedagogy and curriculum knowledge. In the late eighties there was a shift from “demonstration” lessons presented by skilled teachers to small group instruction by the trainee teachers under the watchful eye of the class teacher and College tutor. Over time the focus at ECU changed and business and nursing became the key faculties with teaching being shifted to Mt Lawley and Joondalup campuses. In early 2000, the decision was made to close the ECU Churchlands Campus and in 2009 demolition of the site began. Today the site of the ECU Churchlands Campus is the Churchlands Green residential sub-division.
Today
Today, Churchlands Primary School (CPS) is an Independent Public School catering for over 450 students from Kindergarten to year 6. Located in the leafy suburb of Floreat, approximately 7 kilometres north-west of the Perth CBD, it is a short walk from Churchlands Senior High School.
Kindergarten to year 2 classes provide innovative and engaging curriculum programs reflecting the outcomes of the National Early Years Learning Framework and the standards outlined in National Quality Standard Framework for Early Childhood Education.
Teaching programs are designed to equip all students with the skills and knowledge to become confident, independent learners. A strong focus on literacy and numeracy along with opportunities for the academically talented, results in excellent progress and achievement. The school’s NAPLAN results are consistently well above like state and Australian averages. Many year 5 and 6 students benefit from external Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) programs which are supplemented by an enriched curriculum supported by digital and cooperative learning.
CPS celebrates its culturally diverse community. A significant number of students speak English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) and they are supported by a qualified specialist teacher to effectively access the Western Australian curriculum. We believe that every child has the right to feel safe and supported in a secure, well maintained learning environment. The Bounceback program focuses students on building a strong and resilient community, ensuring the expectations of school community are upheld and recognising and rewarding them for their efforts.
The school’s vibrant specialist Arts program includes; music, visual arts and drama. Instrumental music tuition for piano, clarinet, violin, cello and double base. The school choir ‘VOICE’, band ‘HOTNOTES’ and the string ensemble perform regularly at school assemblies and at external events. Students also engage in 120 minutes physical education per week and French is taught to year 3s as a second language.
The school boasts an integrated environmental program which includes the ‘9R-Shed’; an outdoor learning area focusing on recycling and sustainability with vegetable gardens, worm farms, composting, bush tucker and a frog habitat.
Community support of the school and its educational programs is excellent. The Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) is a dynamic in its ability to raise funds to support innovation and school improvement. The School Board is an informed , proactive body overseeing the school’s Delivery and Performance Agreement and Business Plan. The Board membership includes parents and staff who are involved in making wide ranging decisions that impact positively on the school.
All classrooms are air conditioned, networked, have digital technology capabilities and common wet areas. The school has well maintaintained grounds with multi-purpose hard courts, an oval, undercover area and playgrounds.
The highly professional staff at Churchlands Primary School work collaboratively to improve outcomes, maintain high standards and celebrate success in an inclusive, caring school environment.