All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Aboriginal education at Darlington Public School
Darlington Public School prides itself on Aboriginal education and provides many opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to get the most out of their education.
In accordance with the objectives outlined in Department of Education and Communities Aboriginal Education Policy.
Darlington Public School implements personalised learning plans (PLP) for all Aboriginal students. PLPs are created in partnership with Aboriginal parents, teacher and student and involve mutual agreement on learning goals. They reflect areas of strength and development and demonstrate evidence of linear achievement for Aboriginal students.
Our school's Aboriginal education resource teacher and our aboriginal education officer work in partnership with staff to create programs and provide direct support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in literacy and numeracy.
Multicultural education
Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information refer to:
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information refer to: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.
New arrivals program
Students eligible for English as a Second Language (ESL) support range from those newly arrived in Australia and beginning to learn English, to Australian born students from a non-English speaking background.
ESL instruction aims to:
- recognise stages of English development in each child and plan according to those needs.
- make use of all areas of the curriculum for developing language effectiveness.
- provide experiences of language which utilise children's previous experience (for language learning is continuous
At Darlington Public School our overall objective is to help the students to adjust to life in Australia as teaching them English will enable them to succeed academically, personally and socially in our education system. The aim for children with a learning difficulty is to develop their potential to the best of their ability and ours. The aim for children with an ESL background and is to provide programs to meet the special teaching and learning needs of students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
ESL Integrated learning across the curriculum
Language lessons consist of:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
Learning support
The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
The team:
- supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs, visit Disability, learning and support.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:
Student leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.