27 Feb 2013
Coopernook School is now taking enrolments for 2013 for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Places for out-of-zone students are now available as well as students who live locally. Our school offers a wide range of quality learning programs aimed at securing a positive future for all students.
Coopernook School is located in very spacious (4 hectares), picturesque grounds with beautiful native gardens and a rainforest regeneration area. A cross country track runs through the grounds of the school. Students are able to play and learn in a variety of environments, including an undercover COLA area.
There are two classes - K/1 and Years 2 - 6, with both classes having two teachers. Class sizes are small which enables students to be treated as individuals and to be given individual attention, and allows teachers to use different and more effective teaching methods. The Yrs. 2-6 classroom is two spacious, fully equipped classrooms which have a retractable wall, enabling a double classroom to be created, with lots of space for assemblies and other activities. There is an extensive and explicit focus on Literacy and Numeracy development, catering for all ability levels and interests. Learning Assisted and Reading Recovery Programs are implemented by trained, qualified and experienced staff on a daily basis in addressing student learning needs.
We have a strong emphasis on preparing our students for the modern world through the use of technology. All classrooms are equipped with Interactive Whiteboards (SMARTboards) and several computers. The Yr 2-6 double classroom now has wireless technology so that laptops can be accessed from anywhere in the room. A computer room is also available for whole class lessons where each student has their own computer and headphones. One classroom is also set up as a connected classroom so that students and teachers can connect to the outside world through video conferencing facilities.
Coopernook School is a proud participant in Hunter/New England Health's 'Good for Kids, Good for Life' which encourages students and parents to follow a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy, unprocessed food, drinking water, being active and limiting the amount of small screen time (computers, TV, Playstation type games). We also encourage active transport to school where students are encouraged to walk or ride to school. Out-of-town students are encouraged to be dropped off at a safe place in Coopernook and walk the rest of the way to school. We participate in Walk to School and Ride2School days. Bike days are also popular activities held throughout the year.
The daily 'Move to Learn' Educational Kineisology Program (Brain Gym), which is conducted before classes at 9:00am has had a positive impact on student behaviour and engagement and has been acknowledged through the DET's Side by Side magazine.
Coopernook School has a very strong history of sporting traditions. Daily fitness activities are conducted everyday with a sport session on Fridays. There is a wide range of sporting and play equipment available to students for use in breaks throughout the day. All students participate in school 'house' carnivals in cross country, athletics and swimming; with some students then going on the represent the school at District, Zone and Regional carnivals. We aim to introduce our students to as many sport as possible including cricket, soccer, hockey, touch football, softball, volleyball, basketball, netball, golf, backyard rugby league. Several coaching clinics, run by the relevant sporting associations are held at the school each year. In Term 4, all students participate in the School Swimming Scheme which focuses on learn-to-swim for younger students, and stroke development, endurance and survival skills for older students.
In 2013, Coopernook School has been accepted into the Active After Schools Communities program, which makes sporting activities available to students after school for two days per week in Terms 1 and 2, at no cost to parents.
To enhance and broaden students' learning, the school places a strong emphasis on school excursions. In 2012, K/1 travelled to Newcastle to see 'Disney on Ice - Let's Celebrate' and Yrs 2-6 had a fantastic two day excursion to Sydney to visit 'Cirque du Soleil - Ovo' and many other attractions. All excursions are strongly supported and subsidised by the P&C, who work extremely hard to fundraise so that the excursions are accessible by all students.
In 2013, Yrs 2-6 will be visiting the Sydney Royal Easter Show on a two day excursion.