Key Programs

Mayfield West Demonstration School, while a primary school catering for Mayfield West community’s students and their families, has the specific brief to demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning for the students of the Faculty of Education at the University of Newcastle. Mayfield West School became the Hunter Region’s Demonstration School in 1986.

Mayfield West Demonstration School is situated on the rim of the industrial centre of Newcastle and caters for a wide cross section of members of our local community.

The belief statement written by Mayfield West Demonstration School staff states:

	We believe in creating and sustaining an equitable learning community for all.
	Therefore we have a vision of stimulating, child-centred, holistic learning in a safe and supportive environment.

This supports a policy of learning through the following strategies:

	Collaborative learning
	Positive and supportive networks for all
	Catering for individual student needs, differences and learning styles
	Allowing and welcoming student/community input into educational decision making
	Ongoing evaluation
	Shared decision making

Choice Theory and Quality Management strategies underpin all aspects of the school’s culture.

Collaborative working groups are established at each stage of development. (Early Stage 1, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3). These working groups allow for co-operative programming and planning which helps to provide consistency across the stage.

Central to our planning is a belief that we must be flexible. This flexibility allows us to adjust our planning to suit emerging needs of students, parents/caregivers and staff.

Parent participation forms a valued part of the school’s operation and culture through their support and participation in educational programs, special events, and fund raising.

Newcastle University