School profile
Aitkenvale State School is located in the North Queensland region and is centred near urban commercial outlets. Children attending our school come from many differing locations throughout Townsville due to our diverse faculty mix. Aitkenvale State School student body has approximately 40% refugee and 25% indigenous background student group making a complex student dynamic that has created a tolerant and culturally accepting group of young learners. We have a vibrant and diverse school community with representative cultural groups from all around the world. Approximately 30% of our students speak one or more languages/dialects other than English, which provides our school with a wonderful richness of language and culture.
Dedicated staff members provide excellent academic programs for all students across the primary school curriculum, extending the gifted as well as providing support for those students who are experiencing difficulties and require a differentiated approach to learning. Students have the opportunity to become involved in national Maths, English, writing, computer and Science competitions and eisteddfod and band competitions. The school offers all students opportunities to engage with information technology through our 1 to 1 digital device program throughout the school. Our school also has a distinctive refugee and migrant population and therefore we have developed an intensive approach to students learning the English language and engaging with the Australian Curriculum.
A 25-metre pool is central to the sporting program which features fitness and most sports. There are a number of proactive behaviour programs operating at Aitkenvale. These include a playground program, our chill out proactive behaviour room, a comprehensive responsible behaviour plan, anti-bullying programs and a firm but fair approach when dealing with students who have breached our responsible behaviour plan. Our school has aligned itself with the school wide behaviour program of 'Going for Gold' in every classroom. We also provide a positive behaviours program which acknowledges and rewards students who display excellent behaviours. These students receive invitations to end-of-term rewards days. Students are reminded of the school's vision statement (I will always strive for my personal best in my behaviour and learning) regularly on parade. Our whole school is underpinned by the fantastic 4 of being safe, respectful, responsible and being an achiever.
Our school environment and grounds are well maintained with a plentiful supply of groundwater keeping our play areas lush and green year round. Our school is also unique in being the only state primary school in Townsville which has a swimming pool on the school grounds. Students enjoy year round easy access to our pool, which is also a popular resource for local community groups. We welcome all families joining our school as the 'Grass is Greener' at Aitkenvale State School.