Harkaway is located within a small rural community with 80% of the enrolment coming from the surrounding growth area. The community falls generally within a middle to upper socio-economic group but with a growing population of single parent families, families with both parents working and short term unemployed. EMA recipients represent approximately 20% of the community. The school community strives to produce a nurturing environment incorporating the expectation that all students will be challenged to reach their maximum potential within a curriculum that encompasses all elements of VELS. Self-esteem is seen as a key element to academic progress. There is an understanding and appreciation of the multi-age structure used by staff who team teach to support each other and gain a deep understanding of each child’s needs and potential. They develop units that are open-ended and appropriate for each child. Discovery Learning is a unique strategy used across the school that integrates the entire curriculum, is child centred and play/inquiry based. The staff provide innovative and lively units of work where students take an active role in their education. They are given opportunities to make choices, take risks, problem solve and explore in a supportive environment. Staffing has been quite stable and comprises 1 principal, 8.9 EFT teachers and 6.2 EFT ES staff. Of these, there was one graduate classification. New buildings have been carefully designed to maximise the culture of inclusive, child-centred education. Open spaces support the team-teaching and multi-age classes.