Tabulam Public School

Location: Tabulam, North Coast, NSW

Tabulam Public School has an enrolment of 54 students with 92% from the lowest quartile of socio economic disadvantage, we have 80% Aboriginal students. Our students deal with all manner of disadvantage including isolation (local town is 57km away). The school has strong ties with the local community and has a proud history. Our goal at Tabulam Public School is to promote and maintain a learning environment that is based on high expectations and the belief that all students will learn successfully.

How has your school used its Gonski funding?

Gonski* funding has allowed our school to focus on improving student literacy and numeracy outcomes, supporting transition to school and the provision of more opportunities for students in the wider community.

Over 2015-2016 we have received additional funding which has been used to improve teaching and learning and provide extra resources which benefit our students:

  • Quality, targeted, professional learning has been provided for teachers and support staff in the areas of literacy and numeracy and the implementation of Visible Learning across the school.

    • * Staff have focussed on developing a growth mindset in students, using Professional Learning and resources to support students in understanding themselves as learners and how to monitor their own learning.

  • Teachers have been allocated time to meet with students and their parents about Personal Learning Plans (PLP) where all students have their own specific targets in literacy and numeracy every term.
  • A comprehensive transition to school program has been implemented for one day per week across the year. Kindergarten students have shown a marked improvement in school readiness.
  • Extra Aboriginal support staff have been engaged to assist with further improving student outcomes and community engagement.
  • Extra support has been provided in each classroom to better support student need.
  • We have invested in quality resources for literacy and numeracy to better support student learning across the school.
  • Students have been provided with experiences to further develop language, knowledge and social competency in the wider community.

    • How has Gonski made a positive difference for students?

    The additional Gonski funding has allowed Tabulam Public School to build on initiatives and programs begun under National Partnership funding. Literacy and numeracy achievement has improved across the school through targeted teaching and learning for students and staff.

    We have increased the number of students working at the expected stage of learning by 10% each year and have had a 30% growth in the students achieving the top 3 bands of NAPLAN.

    With 80% of parents and carers attending our PLP meetings each term the conversation with staff, parents and students has changed from being about behaviour to being about learning.

    Our transition program has ensured students enter school in Kindergarten familiar with the school expectations, staff and procedures, allowing a seamless start to schooling.

    What could your school do with Gonski funding in the future?

  • Continued support for all students to ensure all have the best opportunity to achieve or exceed the expected outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy.
  • Further Professional Learning for all staff to provide quality targeted teaching for all students.
  • To continue to provide a transition to school program enabling our students to enter school life easily.
  • For all of our students to have access to experiences in the wider community, gradually closing the equity gap.
  • The provision of quality resources to support student learning.


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