Pakenham Lakeside Primary School (PLPS) has commenced its third year of operation with an enrolment figure of 390 and the internal growth experienced during the first two years is expected to continue throughout 2011. We anticipate finishing the school year with a student population of approximately 450. Our school's core purpose is to assist our students to develop into lifelong learners and responsible and informed citizens. Through our curriculum we seek to develop our students into: critical thinkers, effective communicators, being accepting of differences and diversity, socially responsible, collaborative and creative learners, physically and mentally healthy, responsible risk takers, persistent problem solvers and numerate, literate, digitally aware and environmentally aware. Our school's five core values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, TOLERANCE, INTEGRITY and CO-OPERATION underpin our interactions and behaviours. Our curriculum is about building character, as well as learning. At Pakenham Lakeside Primary School values education assists our students to exercise ethical judgement and social responsibility. Values have been articulated into the school's culture through policies and practices, including teaching and learning.