School History

State School Ship Ocean Reef was launched with a nautical theme in 1988.

It was the Bicentennial Year of European settlement -a settlement that was seaborne-relying upon and depending upon communication by sea as it expanded to encompass the whole of the continent of Australia.
The name of Ocean Reef and its very location lent themselves to a nautical treatment.
Most streets in the locality are named after boat types, boat parts and boat designers and names of vessels, including those that competed in the State's 1979 Sesquicentennial Celebration Parmelia Yacht Race.

The object of the nautical theme is to:

Create a unique character, peculiar to Ocean Reef Primary School with which the School Community can strongly identify.

Provide the basis for a unique environment and common focus which students, staff and parents are free to develop in order to excite and inspire, and by so doing, enable learning to be more vital, challenging and interesting.

The school has a unique nautical theme, which was created by the Founding Principal, Mr John Thompson. Over the entrance is the title 'S.S.S. (State School Ship) Ocean Reef.' The school has developed and maintained close links with the Naval Base at HMAS Stirling. The theme was strengthened and broadened by the school's second, and long serving Principal, the late Mr Ross Pratt. In recent times the bonds have grown even stronger with the Warramunga being appointed by the navy as the school's sister ship, as well as with the creation of the school's own navy marching band.

The naval theme pervades all aspects of school life and is reflected in artefacts, rules, terminology and classroom practice. The school's motto 'Reach Out', together with its set of values (The Seven C's), compliment the nautical theme. The nautical connection allows the school to develop a firm commitment to standards of achievement, a strong sense of vision, and a dedication to the creation of a caring community.

The school is situated in the northern Perth suburb of Ocean Reef. It draws from a catchment area west of Marmion Avenue. Hodges Drive is the northern boundary of the catchment area whilst Ocean Reef Road bounds it on the south and west.

Ocean Reef Primary is an inviting place for teachers and other staff due to the supportive community, well equipped school and community facilities and congenial location. Since 2005 the school has been able to merit select its own staff.

Ocean Reef Primary School is a modern set of buildings in an elevated position, overlooking the sea. It has spacious grounds, which include an oval, basketball courts, tennis courts and playground areas.

The school is organised with an emphasis on small class sizes in junior year levels. The school has an art room, a studio, a well equipped library with computer access, a computer laboratory, and a carpeted undercover area with a stage. There is a daily before, and after- school care program operating out of the school and a dental therapy centre.

Ocean Reef Primary School has a School Council consisting of six parents and five staff. which meets monthly and provides overall direction for the school. This Council has recently completed a new five year plan for the school.

There is also a supportive, well attended Parents & Citizens' Association (P&C) which concentrates its efforts on improving school facilities. The P&C is currently completing the air-conditioning of the site. Numerous other staff and parent committees make decisions about specific school procedures.
 

Statement by Member for Joondalup

MR A.P. O’GORMAN (Joondalup) [12.54 pm]: I speak today to commend one of my local primary schools, SSS Ocean Reef Primary. SSS stands for state school ship. Ocean Reef Primary School opened in 1988, with John Thompson as its principal. Mr Thompson dreamed up the idea of giving the school a theme by which to operate. Of course, it was a nautical theme due to the location of the school in the beachside suburb of Ocean Reef. The theme has served the school well. The administration block is described as the bridge and the three teaching blocks are described as the port, starboard and stern. This nautical theme continues today under the stewardship of the current principal, David Bryant.

The theme has proved so successful for the school that it now has a traditional naval drum corps. The corps practises weekly under instruction from Australian Navy band member Leading Seaman Peter Cobb, and has performed at a number of events, including the school’s Anzac Day ceremony, interschool sporting events, Education Week 2001 at Arena Joondalup, the district principals’ breakfast and the Joondalup festival parade. The corps now marches and drums behind its drum major, who holds the mace donated by the inmates from Casuarina Prison. Last Friday night the corps held a fundraiser, again in typical naval tradition of a ceremonial sunset and wardroom dinner. This group of young people is a credit to the school and should be commended for its efforts.

Thursday, 7 November 2002

www.parliament.wa.gov.au/hansard/hans35.nsf/(ATT)/DE84162815E56A4F48256C6F002F297E/$file/A36+S2+20021107+p2811c-2812a.pdf

Premier's Teacher ^{of the year Award 2006}   2006 Award Round Winners

Christine Polakiewicz, Ocean Reef Primary School, Ocean Reef

A teacher passionate about early childhood education, Christine Polakiewicz achieves exceptional results with students of all abilities, from non English speaking students to gifted and talented students. Christine’s excellent teaching practices and individual care and attention ensure that all her students achieve their full potential in their early, decisive years. A part-time tutor, mentor and university lecturer, Christine is also a school leader in professional development, specialising in behaviour management and assessment methods.
Christine was nominated by a parent.

www.det.wa.edu.au/education/events/toty/2006_schools_two.html

Premier's Teacher ^{of the year Award 2005}   2005 Award Round Winners

Deidre Powell, Ocean Reef Primary School

An enthusiastic perspective on life brings great depth and innovation to Deidre’s teaching. She provides unique, hands-on learning experiences to motivate students.

Deidre was nominated by a parent.

www.det.wa.edu.au/education/events/toty/2005_round.html#School1

THE NEiTA FOUNDATION

The NEiTA Foundation and the Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) proudly announced the national teaching recipients of the ASG Community Merit Awards on Australia's celebration of World Teachers' Day on 27 October 2006. World Teachers’ Day was started by UNESCO and is celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world each year. On its 40th anniversary this year, it represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding, and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education.
The Australian Scholarships Group formed the NEiTA Foundation in 1994 to conduct a program of national awards honouring exemplary teachers in Australian schools and early childhood centres.

The awards promote public recognition of the teaching profession and specifically those teachers who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in their work. ASG Community Merit Awards 2005

Ocean Reef Primary School, Ocean Reef
for creativity and commitment to environmental education programs, involving students, the school and the local community.

Ms Saratsis organised the school wide Little Environmentalist Club, in which members are assigned roles to assist in the running of the club, from secretary, official photographer to journalist. The club gives recycling and energy saving awards, has developed a nursery, worm farm, bird identification chart, and collected paper for recycling and papermaking. Through Ms Saratsis’ environmental education programs, the school actively participates with community and environmental groups including Air Watch, Gould League, Joondalup Shire, Coast Care, and the West Australian Fisheries Department.

Nominator: Ocean Reef Primary School P&C Association

www.neita.com.au/index.asp?menu1=aus2&menu2=3&content1=regionals-wa05.htm

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