Merriwa Primary School (5739)

School Overview


Merriwa Primary School is an inclusive, positive culturally diverse Independent School, with a highly skilled, enthusiastic and dedicated staff.
We are committed to providing a safe, respectful and happy environment, where all students are valued and learn through whole school effective, research-based programs and strategies.

We have high expectations for every child.

Our School Vision: Learning for Life, captures our commitment to the General Capabilities required to become engaged, healthy, skilled and creative members of society.

We create the opportunities for this through our school purpose: To prepare young minds for future challenges by teaching skills for life long learning.

At Merriwa we have an ongoing focus on mental health and wellbeing for students and staff. This has been particularly significant as we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19. Our trauma informed practice, strong Chaplaincy program, resilience and wellbeing programs, MindUp training and targeted student intervention have assisted the students to achieve in a safe and happy environment.

This is illustrated by our outstanding NAPLAN results in 2021, where despite the challenges of COVID-19, we have significantly improved our NAPLAN scores and our students have thrived.
Our work is informed by Professor John Hattie's research, both in academic skills and in mental health.

The strong emphasis on academic achievement through explicit, structured teaching of phonics, reading, spelling, writing and maths is a feature of our school. Direct Instruction programs in phonics, reading and spelling play a significant part in our literacy delivery, along with Talk For Writing, Brightpath and Literacy Pro, and our whole school maths programs are guided and informed by the work of Dr Paul Swan. Numeracy and literacy programs are led by skilled curriculum leaders, along with their collaborative and data informed curriculum teams.

We are committed to building strong and positive partnerships with parents and the local community. The effectiveness of this is reflected in the outstanding feedback shown in the parent, staff and student survey in 2020, which can be seen in the Annual Report.

Merriwa Primary implemented the Whole School Positive Behaviour Program in 2011, and we have consolidated and maintained this approach with outstanding results. The students wrote these expectations:
* I am respectful
* I am friendly
* I am positive
* I achieve.
which are acknowledged through both individual rewards, class and whole school events.

We are proud of the diverse range of subjects we offer including specialist music, Italian, science, and physical education. The music program provides opportunities for individual tuition in guitar and flute through the School of Instrumental Music and choir performances such as the One Big Voice and concerts. A spirited physical education program encourages participation through a range of intraschool and interschool activities such as swimming lessons, football, cricket, cross country, netball, basketball and athletics. Our senior students participate in single sex science and physical education lessons to promote equal opportunities for all.

All classrooms are airconditioned with multimedia teaching facilities and access to Smartboards, a computer lab, laptops, chrome books and ipads. Outside, kindy and pre-primary students enjoy their Nature Playground and play equipment, while the older students utilise the more challenging play equipment, netball and basketball courts, cricket nets, and a large oval. We are members of the inaugural WA Female Football Academy which is run by AFL coaches and ex AFL players. Our students with special needs benefit from a sensory room and trampoline program.

The Merriwa School Board is effectively led by Ms Caroline Bishop, External Relationships Coordinator, Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University. Ms Bishop has led our Board since its inception in 2017, and is a highly respected and valued partner in not only leading our Board, but also linking our school with Aboriginal Cultural Advisors and ECU. Our pilot project with ECU and the WA Police Academy is aimed at creating and strengthening positive links between Aboriginal students and the police, and promoting future post high school and tertiary pathways for Aboriginal students. Our outstanding NAPLAN results and high levels of attendance for Aboriginal students demonstrate our strong commitment and expertise in expecting and ensuring the very best outcomes for all.

Parents and community members are very supportive, and the school has a small but strong P&C Association.

We host an Education Support Centre on our school site, and the students who are enrolled here benefit from our facilities and from integrating into all our events.

We welcome your enquiries about our school, our staff, our programs and our amazing students on 6206 2340 or Merriwa.ps@education.wa.edu.au