Westgarth Primary School is nestled in the inner city suburb of Northcote. The school occupies two sites; the junior campus, prep to year 2 is located on Brooke Street and the senior campus, years 3-6 on Clarke Street. In 2010 enrolments grew to 454 students and will continue to grow in 2011 to 510 students. In 2010 there were 37 equivalent full time staff employed including: Principal, Assistant Principal, 28 teachers and 9 Support Staff. An enquiry based curriculum focusing on higher order thinking skills is offered together with Music, LOTE, Art, P.E./Sport, and a Kitchen-Garden Program. As well as inspiring students through the provision of a comprehensive curriculum, improved student achievement in literacy & numeracy remains the school's core focus. Information Communication Technology as a tool to support learning is promoted across the curriculum. There is a high level of parent participation and school community support at Westgarth PS and there is medium to high proportion of students with English as a Second Language. Our mission is to promote: the pursuit of life long learning; environmental sustainability, positive social, emotional and physical wellbeing; confidence, persistence, and high level communication and thinking skills. All students are provided with opportunities to be actively involved in the arts and develop independence and personal responsibility. Students are encouraged to be their best and show respect for themselves and others by proudly adopting the school motto... “Be Safe, Be Fair, Be Friendly and Be Your Best”<