Helen Murphy - Welcome to Southern Cross Primary School

Southern Cross Primary School extends a warm welcome to our current and new members of the community.  SCPS is a wonderful school where each student from Prep to Year 6 feels valued as an individual and is encouraged to have an active voice in decision making at the school. With a friendly population of approximately 230 students, we pride ourselves on nurturing individuality and empowering our students to strive to reach and exceed their potential, building future stars today.

Southern Cross Primary School is a friendly, caring school community that aims to facilitate a high standard of academic learning, nurture individuality, challenge, and understand all of our students. We are a diverse community catering for approximately 25 nationalities.  The school values of Respect, Responsible and Resilience were personally selected by the student, parent and staff community and are reflected in our School Wide Positive Behaviour Program.  We offer an embedded ARTS program at the school with the Specialist Subjects of Visual Arts and Performing Arts/Music.  We also offer our students a comprehensive Physical Education and Health program, Chinese, Science, Humanities and opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).  The school supplies laptops and iPads, with enough devices for 1:1 students in Years 3 to 6 and 1:4 in Prep to Year 2.  Digital technologies is infused throughout the learning opportunities with a close focus on safe online behaviours and thinking critically when engaging with content online.

At Southern Cross Primary School, we continually strive for school improvement and improving student learning outcomes. 

An evidence-based approach informs our teaching and learning practices.  We used an informed, explicit and systematic approach to teaching fundamental concepts and skills.  Consistent teaching and learning approaches across the school teaching teams ensures that we are providing a learning environment that builds upon each student’s learning consecutively across the learning levels.  With a focus on literacy and mathematics, we have embraced scientifically-backed methodologies to enhance student learning and achievement. Through a rigorous focus on the Science of Reading and the implementation of the Concrete-Representational-Abstract model in mathematics instruction, we have cultivated an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.

If you drive past the school it might be hard to believe that hidden behind the buildings is an extensive play area including a hard court, oval and 2 student adventure playgrounds. We also have an enclosed courtyard for quite games, outdoor chess covered area, a closed rotunda for crafts, an enclosed sandpit and an open rotunda with power supply for more outdoors type activities.  In addition to this, a new inclusive playspace is currently under construction with the students having an active voice in the desing and equipment selection process and have recieved a grant of over $900,000 to upgrade our Basketball Court and surrounding area.

Although a smaller school in size, we are mighty in our commitment to student wellbeing. Led by our Assistant Principal, we have established a dedicated Wellbeing Team to provide comprehensive support and inclusive practices for all students. This team comprises a Learning Specialist, Mental Health Leader, Social Worker, and Speech Therapist, working collaboratively to address the diverse needs of our student body. Additionally, we foster strong partnerships with local allied health professionals, ensuring that we can effectively meet the individual needs of every student.  We are a supportive and close community who work together to make a difference in the lives and overall outcomes of the students and families in our care.

To find out more about our great school and to see us in action, please book into a weekly tour by phoning 9700 4488.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Helen Murphy

Principal

I respectfully acknowledge the Bunurong people, of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which our school stands.