Darra State School is 'Steering a Course Together' towards excellence in teaching and learning. The strong Darra community jointly developed five goals for students to work towards. These goals are responsible citizenship, academic achievement, harmonious learning, love of learning and self-realisation. Each of these goals is supported by the school's eight core values which are honesty, diligence, kindness, cooperation, tolerance, optimism, courage and respect. Darra State School is a diverse multi-cultural school in a low socio-economic area of western Brisbane, Queensland. Our students bring to school a range of experiences, values and beliefs. The majority of Darra students have a language background other than English, and many speak no English at all before arriving at school. Darra's teaching community is strong in implementing programs that develop English proficiency and support students through the Australian curriculum. Our curriculum programs are sensitive and responsive to the culturally diverse needs of our students and their families. Darra students excel in many academic competitions, particularly in Mathematics. Students, staff and families are supported by a Chaplain who has built strong community links to the range of diverse religious and belief groups present in our community.