North Fitzroy Primary School

North Fitzroy Primary School (also called Fitzroy North Primary School, numbered 1490) is a state school in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy North.

Academic

The average class size (2008) is 25.2, with Prep-2 average being 24.8 ^[1]

LOTE

North Fitzroy Primary School teaches all students the language of Italian. They have lessons of one hour a week. The focus is to develop language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an awareness of Italian culture. The school has large Italian-related events such as Carnevale, Gelato days and puppet shows. Carnevale involves children from all classes parading in their costumes.

Music Program

Children participate in a generalist music class once a week, covering a range of techniques and styles including rap and hip hop as well as movie soundtracks.^[2] The school also has optional ensembles which children can participate in, such as mixed percussion ensembles and rock ensembles and a school choir. These ensembles perform in school concerts and events, and in outside events in the local area.

Competitions

The school participates in local and state competitions such as the Science Talent Search and the Model Solar Boat Challenge. In 2007, the school had 8 bursary winners that each won a cash prize and medallions, out of the 26 that entered. The school won Division 2 of the Victorian Model Solar Boat Competition in 2003 with their entry, the "Nebuchadnezar"^[3].

Facilities

The school has two main buildings, usually referred to as the "old building" (built in 1875) and the "new building". In 2008, the school received two new portable classrooms to cope with the school's increasing number of students.^{[citation needed]}

Facilities at the school include an art and craft room, multimedia centre, library, music rooms and a multi-purpose room. The school also has an Outside School Hours Care program that takes place on the school premises. The school's OHSC is accredited by the National Childcare Accreditation Council^[4].

Canteen

The school canteen stocks healthy food such as carrot sticks, a variety of fruit and sushi (on certain days), as well as making fresh sandwiches and toasted sandwiches. The canteen has attracted some media attention for its healthy selection.^[5]

Activities

The school has an annual fete on school grounds running from 10am to 4pm. In 2007, the school raised almost $50,000 in profit from the event.^{[citation needed]}

The school runs its own concerts, usually at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, running over several nights. Past performances by North Fiztroy Primary School have included Saving Fitzroy High (2004), The History Of TV (2003), and Aqua Profonda (Saving The Fitzroy Pool) .

The school is visited by the "Life Ed" van annually, with all classes having at least one class there each year, tackling issues such as smoking, alcohol, and other road safety issues. The school is also visited by the Fire Brigade^[6], which Prep students learn about the dangers about fires.

Students in Grades 3-6 can go on the school's three-day camp, where students can partake in a variety of activities, most either team-building or exploring the environment.^[7]

History

A fire in 1970 destroyed the school's historical records, with no known duplicates. A history has been written of the school, available for purchase from the school for A$25.

References

1. ^ Primary School Class Sizes, The Age
2. ^ Music
3. ^ Race Results :: modelsolar-vic
4. ^ Search for Child Care - National Childcare Accreditation Council
5. ^ The Age, "Its All Fit For Eating At North Fitz"
6. ^ Level 1 - Fitzroy North Primary School
7. ^ Camp Arrabri

External links

• "It's all fit for eating at North Fitz" - The Age
• Past principal, Chris Scott, talks about "Shortage Of Male Primary School Teachers" 7.30 report
• Current principal, Connie Watson, talks about "Why top job gets low marks", The Age
• School's involvement in City West Water’s Water - Learn It! Live It! program
• A Letter to the school's local council
• Official Website
  • More information and samples of Music at North Fitzroy Primary School

Coordinates: 37°47′08″S 144°58′59″E / 37.78556°S 144.98306°E / -37.78556; 144.98306