Hello Family and Friends of Willaura Primary
School,
There is no question
that rural schools offer many advantages.
In terms of smaller classroom sizes, the opportunity for more individual,
point of need learning. Smaller classes
allow teachers to concentrate on their students' strengths and weaknesses and fosters
high expectations and student confidence.
Combining different
age groups presents possibilities to provide differentiated and innovative
teaching. Teaching mixed ability classes considers the varying developmental
stages of students. This is reinforced by research that multi-age grouping
results in better learning outcomes.
Smaller class sizes
create a personalized environment for building relationships among students and
staff. The small size promotes closer and more meaningful relationships with
both teachers and other students. Students are appreciated as a "whole
person." As a result, values such as
caring, empathy and respect are supported.
Another benefit of
strong relationships between teachers and students is that students feel
encouraged to take risks both socially and academically. Risk taking is critical
to personal development and success. This also means that
every student may have a greater opportunity to participate.
Small schools encourage
leadership and citizenship. It is only natural that students in small towns are
more community-minded. Engagement with
the community fosters a sense of belonging.
It is important that the children connect with their local community and
attend their local school to feel included.
Rural schools serve as a
cornerstone in rural towns and nurtures a
tight knit community with
shared values and identity. The school
is the glue that holds rural communities together which develops a strong sense
of giving back to the local community and a legacy of commitment to future
generations.
Parents
play instrumental roles in creating and planning school improvement efforts.
They can offer the extra helping hands, but more important, they provide
continuity.
Miss Rae.
Miss Rae
