Karingal Primary School is committed to creating a happy, friendly, challenging and secure environment for all. 
It strives to develop respectful, engaged lifelong learners who are resilient and perform to the best of their ability in a technology rich environment

VALUES

At Karingal Primary School a clearly defined set of core values underpin everything we do:

• Respect is defined by Fairness, Strength, Consideration, Honesty and Sincerity
• Integrity is defined by Truth, Honesty, Responsibility, Loyalty and Courage
• Persistence is defined by Control, Hard work, Commitment, Purposefulness and Success
• Resilience is defined by Humour, Initiative, Flexibility and Courage
• Relationships are defined by Empathy, Collaboration, Support and Trust

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

SOCIAL

Karingal Primary School is located on a large, picturesque site in a well-established residential suburb, close to the City of Frankston, 53 km south-east of Melbourne.
The school's attractive site, with established native trees, contrasts with the local urban environment and the comprehensive shopping complex nearby.  Karingal is part of the Central Peninsula School Network and there are four other primary schools, three government and one Catholic, and a secondary college within walking distance of the school.

There are currently 169 families in the school in 2011, drawn from some established families, first homebuyers and other families renting privately or through the Ministry of Housing.  In 2011, the enrolment of 246 included 3 Koori students and 14 students enrolled in the Disabilities Program.  Gender proportions favoured boys 139 to girls 107. 

In 2011, there are 13 full time teaching staff including the Principal, Assistant Principal and two Leading Teachers, and 4 part time teaching staff.  The 10 non-teaching staff include 2 administrative office staff and 8 integration aides.

The current staffing profile includes a vast majority of experienced and some beginning teachers with a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, a reasonable gender balance.

A strong partnership exists between the School Council, the highly professional staff and a dedicated core of supportive parents.  There is an active Parents and Friends Association. 

EDUCATIONAL

At Karingal Primary School key improvement strategies include the development of a whole school approach to teaching and learning through the implementation of the e5, based on of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and an understanding of differentiated curriculum.  ICT will be used extensively as a tool for learning and student engagement in every classroom including the use of the Ultranet.

Student achievement in Literacy and Numeracy across all year levels will be a focus.
Karingal Primary School achieved accreditation in 'Performance and Development' in November, 2008.

Targeted professional learning programs for all staff are a focussed on a coaching and mentoring program. Peer observation and the use of multiple sources of feedback to improve teacher effectiveness form the basis of development of the school performance and development culture. 

Student Well Being and engagement  will continue to have a strong focus throughout the year to enhance student engagement and extend students to improve their  sense of connectedness to school and overall achievement.

Karingal Primary School currently receives federal funding for 'Communities for Children' and 'Connected Families' initiatives in the Karingal area.

TECHNOLOGICAL

Karingal Primary School is committed to continuous improvement in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in order to develop literate information learners who understand how knowledge is accessed, organised and communicated. 

ICT is integrated into curriculum programs at all levels with four computers in each classroom.  Classes have weekly access to a computer laboratory of twenty-four work stations.

A mobile pod of 12 MAC laptop computers isin the 5/6 area, which is timetabled to move around the classrooms each week enabling greater student access to computers on a regular basis.

ENVIRONMENTAL- GROUNDS AND FACILITIES

The Karingal Place has been completed on Wingham Park adjacent to the school. Funding for the project was secured from both the State Government and Frankston Council. The school has three new classrooms and two offices within this complex, with access to the full size basketball stadium and kitchen facilities during the day. 

Other school facilities include a playing field, basketball, netball and volley ball courts, several shaded adventure playgrounds and a range of passive recreation areas.  There are outdoor learning areas, which are shaded and contain seating.

The two main buildings have designated Science, Information Technology, Art and Library areas and a multipurpose hall.   There is an administration centre including a First Aid room. 

Karingal Primary school has received money through the Building the Educational Revolution from the Federal Government with work to be finalised early in 2011.