Currambena School
| Currambena School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
Australia | |
| Coordinates | 33°49′15.80″S 151°10′13.01″E / 33.8210556°S 151.1702806°E |
| Information | |
| Established | 1969[1] |
| Grades | P–6 |
| Enrolment | 93[2] (2006) |
| Campus type | Suburban |
Currambena School is an independent primary and preschool in Lane Cove, New South Wales.
History
[edit]The school was established in 1969, when the then Woodley Preparatory School was purchased by the founders.[1] It was one of a number of alternative schools that pioneered the application in Australia of the ideas of progressive educationalist A. S. Neill.[3]
The school commenced with 116 students in January 1970: 72 in the preschool and 44 in the primary. The school expanded to include a second adjacent building in 1971.[1] In 2003 the school had 71 students;[4] in 2004 this had grown to 88 students[5] in 2006 the school had 93 students.[2] The Commonwealth government uses a measure of socio-economic status of independent schools to help determine their funding; Currambena has scored highly on this scale (meaning its students live in high socio-economic status locations).[4]
As an alternative school, Currambena experienced external pressures from increasing standardisation of curricula,[6] and from reforms to student assessment.[5] Representatives of the school were prominent in criticising developments in education policy such as the introduction of national standardised tests.[2][7]
Organisation and activities
[edit]The school is administered by a council comprising six parents and three teachers; it has no school principal.[8] The board is democratic and responsible for curriculum, facilities and employment decisions.[2] The original articles of association stipulated a maximum class size of 25; this was subsequently reduced to 22,[9] with classes split into three age groups.[10]
The school emphasises creativity and flexibility in responding to the needs of individual children.[2][9][11]
Alumni
[edit]- David Heilpern, author and magistrate[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "History". Currambena School. 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Binger, Annette (2 July 2006). "Parent power". Sunday Age.
- ^ Andresen, Lee; David Boud; Ruth Cohen. "Experienced Based Learning". In Foley, G. (ed.). Understanding Adult Education and Training. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. pp. 225–239.
- ^ a b Department of Education, Science and Training (February 2004). "Answer to Question No. E857_04" (PDF). Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ a b Dick, Tim (13 March 2004). "Teachers say tests will take fun from learning" (PDF). The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- ^ Mortimer, Amy (2001). "Progressive education: The lived experiences of Currambena School 1969–2001". Post Internship Conference 2001. University of Sydney Faculty of Education. Archived from the original on 15 August 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- ^ Currambena School Education Committee (October 2000). "Submission to the Inquiry into States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Bill 2000". Senate Employment, Workplace Relations, Small Business and Education Committee. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ "School organisation". Currambena School. 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- ^ a b Denney, Margot (13 February 2001). "One-third of pupils go private". The Australian.
- ^ Currambena School (2007). "Class composition". Currambena School. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ Selinger-Morris, Samantha (26 April 2008). "Schools take a star turn". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Heilpern, David (2008). "David Heilpern – 1970". Currambena School. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
