Parent Survey - Teaching & Learning
All responses received have been published
Question 1 - What are our school's strengths ? What do we do well? What works well for you and/or your children?
Responses: The responses from this question were categorized into four general sub-headings .
Staff
Caring teachers are the school's strength; Friendly approachable staff; Fantastic teachers and support staff; Great
teachers; Their dedication to their job; Excellent caring teachers; Amazing teachers; Mix of genders and special skills of
teachers; Mixed skills of teachers; Each child gets plenty of focus; Teachers are aware of the kids socially and
academically; I am happy I put my child in this school. He is a gentle child which really works for him here. A smaller
school has given him the confidence. He is learning so much!; Great teachers with time to spend with the kids;
Teaching staff; The school is attentive to all children's needs; Small classes and good relationships with teachers and
kids; Personal relationships students - teachers; Teachers are enthusiastic; Amazing creative and caring teachers; All of
the teachers care about the students.
Curriculum and Extra - Curriculum
Attention given to individual students embracing all ages; The mixed age grouping I feel works beautifully; Emphasis
on inclusion, the arts, fitness and a dynamic creative approach to the curriculum; We appreciate the emphasis on
creativity and confidence as much as Literacy and numeracy; Willingness to listen and incorporate extra-curriculum
suggestions; Love that the garden and everything related to the garden can be woven throughout the necessary
curriculum; Love that Mindfulness is being taught; Great encouragement for learning a broad range of knowledge
areas; inclusion of contemporary social, environmental education concepts and ideas; The emphasis on learning song
with thoughtful lyrics is great; The celebration of differences is very good; The environmental awareness of the children
is wonderful; Great mix of arts, sport and outdoor activities; Environmental awareness and education; Great school
trips and outings; School promotes good health and well-being; Extra focus individual's child learning difficulties; Extra
caring given to student welfare; The reward system works well; Resources.
Community/Environment
The school creates a community spirit; The staff work really well with the community to listen to their needs and
wants; Caring culture; As a small school we like the level of engagement with the students and wider community; The
community within the children mostly works; Parent involvement is excellent; Community involvement is great; Its size
and community feeling; We love the small local feel and the school, friends are nearby; Very warm loving environment;
Environment; Proximity to the school works for our family.
Communication
Good communication from the school to the parents and flexibility has worked well for myself and my child;
Clear communication from school to home, we always know what's going on.
Question 2 - What could we do better? What, if any changes would you suggest we make?
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Make it into a High School!!!
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We wouldn't change a thing;
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No! I'm very happy with how the school is run and that my child is happy there;
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I think you are all doing a wonderful job in educating our children and setting a foundation of open, kind and
responsible kids;
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Everything is great;
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Don't change anything;
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Very satisfied, I have no suggestions.
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More Arts and craft activities- weaving and clay;
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More Art projects and HSIE;
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More focus on teaching maths;
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Are the science/brain related topics within Mindfulness being taught - incorporated?
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Meet the morning bus and walk the kids in as there's a lot of coming and going at that time;
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Development of an information sheet for parents about set homework to enable parents to assist and become
involved in their children's homework activities; Give the kids age appropriate more challenging homework. I
would like to see the kids given higher importance to completing and handing in their homework and
consequences if they don't. We get no feedback, especially in Year 5, need to get ready for High School;
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The school works really well or students who are self-motivated. But I feel my child is slipping by unnoticed a
little. He needs recognition for the things he can do well and it is hard to get that in a mixed class that is so
talented. I know it's hard to interest boys, so this is not a criticism;
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Consistency with teacher employment;
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Children bond with their teacher and establish a routine only to have it change regularly.
Question 3 - Imagine you had one minute to tell someone in an elevator about our school. What would be your
elevator speech ?
"Crabbes Creek is a great small school that delivers big results. Every teacher knows every student and plays apart in
their education and enjoyment of being at school. The confidence that our child reaps benefits in every area."
"Crabbes Creek is a lovely small school in the countryside where children can be children. The school teaches the
children to integrate with other age groups. The school makes learning as fun as possible."
"A beautiful small school, in a beautiful setting. The teachers, parents and community truly care about the school and
the children. The children themselves are the school's best asset, really wonderful kids!"
"Great little community country school."
"Amazing caring community, brilliant teachers, fabulous approach to the curriculum, better than a Steiner or Private
school."
"Great little school ! Well- resourced with engaging and enthusiastic teachers who love the kids."
"Crabbes Creek is the best school my daughter has gone to, and that includes an independent Steiner school and an
inner Melbourne school. The friendly, nurturing environment and the opportunity to mix with all ages stands out as a
really positive characteristic. She was accepted by teachers and students even though she began her time there in third
term."
"Praise of school curriculum but bad leadership. Lack of attention to boys and their special needs."
"My dream school! Dedicated, passionate teachers.Great emphasis on creativity. Progressive methods of teaching.
Gorgeous,vibrant school community. Everything I've ever wanted in a school!"
"It is a tiny school that is more like an extended family than a school. The children learn to get along with all ages and
there is peer pressure to do well rather than be anti-social. The children also learn to work independently in a mixed
age classroom. It is a beautiful school that embraces differences."
"A very open and friendly learning environment. Children are held in a safe and supportive manner. Beautiful setting,
simple and happy play amongst the children."
"Lovely school in great location, great kids, all play and help each other out. No bullies, good teachers, and a very nice
relaxed feeling. Parents are made to feel welcome and to be involved as you want to be."
"They have a friendly and great community feel to the school with smaller classes, low student to teacher ratios and
good access to resources."
"Small schools such as Crabbes Creek produce children with a healthy attitude to one another."
"An excellent school with great resources set in a beautiful environment. Fabulous caring teachers!"
"Crabbes Creek is a very caring environment to learn in. The teaching staff are very concerned and interested in the
individual students' needs and their all over growth and development."
"Well - resourced school in a great community. Teachers are approachable and the school has a lovely feel to it. No
bullying."
Question 4 – In relation to teaching and learning, what would you like to see at our school in three years' time?
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We would love to see a continuation of current strengths and the maturation of new programs like the Kitchen
Garden.
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I don't know - continual reference to latest teaching tools - would hope that size of school wouldn't prevent
best programs being implemented.
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An improved result in all KLA's particularly Maths and Science.
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Continuation of whole school projects such as Crabbes Creek Film Festival and the Kitchen Garden.
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A love of books and stories would be great to emphasize even in the older class.
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Not too much emphasis on the computer programs, it still seems really important to have good handwriting
but I am old fashioned
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Continued focus on the individual, their strengths and their learning styles.
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A continuation of the wonderful work that is already underway at the school.
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Keep a strong connection to families and your value for supporting local learning sites.
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Continuing to adapt progressive teaching techniques like the integrative learning with the garden, Mindfulness,
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As long as the children are learning all they should and we are on track with the larger schools I am sure Iwill
arts, use of Montessori and Reggio styles of learning and teaching.
be happy with how my child is taught and that technology carries on being up to date.
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More facilities and extra classroom.
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We love the music and sport/fitness that the school encourages - keep that going!
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I would like to see a stronger music focus - perhaps different instruments, band, join up with other small
schools. Learn more about Office products on computers ie Powerpoint, Word etc. A higher focus on English
especially.
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Interactive classroom activity with local, interstate and overseas schools. More connective classrooms.
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Successful and the same number of students.
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No suggestions. Am happy with the current programming.
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Continue with the current great programs.
Question 5- Is there anything else you'd like us to consider?
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Although obviously it is out of the school's control, we would like to note that the shift in staff number has
stretched the remaining teachers, who are nevertheless performing as well as they can in the circumstances.
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Love the great variety of programs offered - music, art cooking etc - don't forget the boys in the cooking they love it too! Dance, drumming, kitchen are all wonderful.
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Love that they get to go to the Writers' festival. Friends in Sydney are jealous!©
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Mr Russell is a really popular teacher and a great part of the teaching staff. Ihope he doesn't get a full-time job
elsewhere.
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Maybe a school disco for the kids.
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A very big thank you!
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"You're doing a great job"
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Thank you!
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Thank you!
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You're doing a great job!