Penrith Valley School is a school for specific purposes, catering to the individual needs of 42 students with a range of additional emotional and behaviour support needs. Students across Western Sydney access our program, but predominantly students are locals from the Penrith LGA. We enrol students from year 5-12 who are selected through the Nirimba School Services Placement Panel process. Application for shared enrolment is made through local schools using the Access Request procedures.
With high staff ratios and targeted resourcing, we are transforming our physical environment and developing skill and expertise to deliver quality, individualised/targeted education programs. In addition to our passionate teaching and support staff, Penrith Valley School has a School Counsellor, Student Support Officer and Aboriginal Education Officer.
Our teaching and learning programs are evidence-based, with staff trained in trauma-informed practice. Our school-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) supports students to learn about social, emotional, and behavioural regulation, and incorporated physical activity for wellbeing.
Our programs are differentiated to meet our broad range of student needs.
The Junior Program offers a focus on core outcomes outlined in syllabus documents for students in years 5-8. Pathways include a return to their local school or transition into the Senior Program. We provide intensive literacy and numeracy programs. We enrich the Junior program with cooking and hospitality skills, sports and wellbeing, and programs offered through external specialist providers and community organisations.
The Senior Program has a focus on a work and/or TAFE pathway for students in years 9-12. Students undertake a curriculum that allows flexibility in accessing courses and certifications through TVET, EVET, Registered Training Organisations, work experience, and community organisations. Our Senior Program has a strong focus on attaining the skills and knowledge to become a contributing and functioning member of society.
With a strong focus on student culture and community, 2021-2025 will emphasis a shared understanding of high expectations for all students and staff. At Penrith Valley School, we want the best possible future for our students, inclusive of a range of backgrounds and circumstances.
Like all NSW schools, we have developed teaching and learning programs to suit our local context and the needs of our students.
To learn more about curriculum in NSW, visit:
- NSW Department of Education – key learning areas
- NESA’s Parent Guide – Schooling in NSW which provides information about learning stages, key learning areas and syllabuses
- NSW Department of Education policy – Curriculum planning and programming, assessing and reporting to parents K–12.
Stages of Learning
There are 6 stages of learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. Primary school covers Early Stage 1, or Kindergarten, to the end of Stage 3. High school covers Stage 4 to 6.
- Stage 1 includes Kindergarten to Year 2 (Kindergarten is referred to as Early Stage 1).
- Stage 2 includes Years 3 and 4.
- Stage 3 includes Years 5 and 6.
- Stage 4 includes Years 7 and 8.
- Stage 5 includes Years 9 and 10.
- Stage 6 includes Years 11 and 12.