Introduction
St Ita’s Catholic Primary School acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
St Ita’s Catholic Primary School Drouin is a primary co-educational school community which provides a comprehensive, well-rounded education for all students from their earliest years in Foundation to the completion of their primary schooling in Year Six.
Located in the West Gippsland town of Drouin, approximately 97 km east of Melbourne. It is one of four Catholic primary feeder schools to Marist-Sion Secondary College, Warragul and has a steadily growing student population of 380 students and 52 staff.
At St Ita’s we aim to build in our students a foundation of faith, values, knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning. We place a strong emphasis on engaging students in a faith-based education where high standards are maximised in all areas of the curriculum, particularly in English and Mathematics. We provide an environment which encourages all children to be confident and excited about learning. We believe the child is at the centre of all learning and we recognise that students are individuals – each with their own distinctive learning needs and styles.
At St Ita’s we allow our students the opportunity to lead in a variety of different leadership positions. High standards of student behaviour are achieved through a focus on each individual student’s rights and responsibilities as a member of the St Ita’s School community. Pastoral care permeates throughout all relationships within the St Ita’s School community and the spirit of the school is reflected in the trust, cooperation and commitment shared between parents, staff and students.
At St Ita’s we welcome parents into our learning community and value their significant contribution to the education of their children. We promote open and honest communication and provide development opportunities for parents to enhance their role as the prime educators of children.
St Ita’s has trained intervention teachers and teacher aides to assist children who experience difficulty in these crucial areas and to extend and challenge high functioning learners. Our students have access to specialist teachers in the areas of Digital Technology, Japanese, Art, Music and Physical Education.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
The Minimum Standards for registration of schools require that the programs and teaching at St Ita’s Catholic Primary School must support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy.
These include a commitment to:
- elected government;
- the rule of law;
- equal rights for all before the law;
- freedom of religion;
- freedom of speech and association; and
- the values of openness and tolerance.
- As stated in the Standards, the requirements of the commitment above are not intended to affect the rights accorded to, or the compliance with any obligation imposed on, the School under a law of the State or of the Commonwealth.
Statement of Democratic Principles
St Ita’s Catholic Primary School is committed to the principles of a liberal democracy.
- We believe in an accountable, democratically elected government
- We respect and observe the rule of law, and believe that no person is above the law
- We believe in equal rights for all before the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender or other attributes
- We believe not only in the freedom of religion, but also the need to practice tolerance and understanding others’ beliefs
- We believe in the value of freedom of speech and freedom of association, but also acknowledge that we have the responsibility not to abuse this freedom
- We believe in the values of openness and tolerance, and value and respect all members of the school community regardless of background.
- Australian democratic curriculum is taught in classes through integrated curriculum programs, part of the Victorian Curriculum.