Bold Park Community School

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the philosophy of Bold Park Community School?

The philosophy of Bold Park Community School has been inspired by many contemporary educators who have set about to study childhood and how children can best be supported in their growth to be happy, healthy and active contributors to society.  We are involved in a dynamic educational project, which considers the whole child.  In our journey towards developing respectful learning environments for families and children, we have been inspired by:

• The social constructionist practise of the educators of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy.
• Brain research which supports integrated learning of literacy and numeracy skills and in learning and social/emotional development.
• Contemporary issues in the importance of Place Based and Nature Based Experience.
• The Ethic of Excellence, a culture of reflection and striving for the best we can be.
• Meta-cognitive practise in thinking, reading and mathematical experiences.
• The importance of authentic experience in supporting long-term retention of learning.
• The need for children to feel safe and supported by their environments in order to learn.
• Research on the power of collaborative and peer-based learning.
• Knowledge that children will learn at different rates in response to different experiences and will also communicates their knowledge using different mediums. (i.e. through dance, art, drama and music…)
• An understanding that teachers, parents, and other members of the community can support children’s development best if they listen closely to their questions.
• Sustainable healthy life style practise through the Bluearth programmes.

Is the West Australian curriculum incorporated in the Reggio Approach?

Yes.  All aspects of the West Australian curriculum will be included in your child’s education.  

West Australian curricula are outcomes based, that is, the children are assessed according to the thinking, attitudes, skills and knowledge that they demonstrate.  The Reggio approach is ideally suited because it allows teachers excellent opportunities to document and record each child’s learning path according to the West Australian curriculum requirements.


Will my child fit into the mainstream educational system after completing a Reggio based education?

Being involved in Reggio education means that children will learn to concentrate and persevere through a project at a much higher level than is generally expected.  They will be encouraged to think things through for themselves.  Your child(ren) will complete school with a flexible set of strategies to approach life.  They will have the self-motivation and discipline to succeed in any learning situation they encounter.  It is the intrinsic motivation they get from learning and their ability to communicate that will see them succeed at secondary education and more importantly, in life.


Will the teachers be Reggio Trained?

All WACOT teachers at Bold Park Community School are university trained, qualified teachers.  Teaching Interns, who support teachers by working alongside them, are most often engaged in University study to be a teacher.  The staff are carefully chosen according to their experience and commitment to the philosophies and teaching style inspired by the Reggio approach.  This approach helps teachers to understand and appreciate how children learn rather than providing a recipe to be followed.  The staff are supported by professional development opportunities and encouraged to further develop dialogue with other contemporary educators.

Staff / student ratios and specialist support vary throughout the school and depend on the focus of the teaching programme.  Generally the class ratios are:


Early Childhood       1:9 (Average)
Primary School         1:13
Middle School          1:10

In addition there are specialist teachers and support staff.

Will my child take part in national testing?

Yes, your child will take part in national testing.  It is compulsory for all children aged eight, ten, twelve and fourteen to participate in national testing.


What about religious education?

We are a non-denominational school, which believe that in order for children to make a choice of faith they must be given access to information.  Consequently children are introduced to a variety of religions.  The individual beliefs of the families are respected and wherever possible incorporated into school life.  There is a strong emphasis on the development of personal, family and community responsibility.


How will physical education be approached at school?

We place emphasis on developing lifetime personal health habits of frequent exercise, good hygiene and healthy eating through our Bluearth Programme www.bluearth.org Children are given the opportunity to learn a variety of skills so that they can choose to participate in the sport of their choice outside school.

Does the school have a homework policy?

Homework is not given in the traditional form of worksheets. It is more likely to be a child-initiated investigation into information required for the completion of a school project.  Also we encourage the children to read and document their experiences through drawings and diaries.  Homework responsibilities evolve as the children move through the school.

If my child is challenged in one area of their education will this system pick this up?

The program focuses on the child and how the child functions in the school.  The low adult-to-student ratio is a great advantage in identifying and supporting areas of need and building on strengths and competencies. This allows the school to have more opportunities of picking up a child's challenged areas.  

What is the Management Structure of Bold Park Community School?

BPCS is a parent and staff managed school operating through a Committee and Management team.

The Bold Park Advisory Council is the umbrella body that elects a ten-member Committee of parents and staff that oversee the School Management Team.  This Team manages the day-to-day operations and the educational programme in consultation with the Committee and staff.

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