Somers Primary School is nestled in a protected native bush setting in the centre of the Somers Village. Our School has prospered on this site since 1956, having been established on another nearby site in 1930.

Children are drawn from the surrounding Western Port Bay area and its coastal villages to attend classes from Grade Prep to Grade 6 at Somers Primary School.

Currently, our school enjoys the status attributed to small community schools, with our enrolment gradually increasing to a present 164 children. It is recognised that the demands on primary schools will result in an increase in our enrolments but we believe that the essential qualities of our School will be preserved with an enrolment of up to 200 children.

Our School programs have been developed to foster self-esteem, confidence, independence and cooperative skills. The curriculum centres on the eight Key Learning Areas with emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy.

Specialist programs in Languages Other Than English (German) and The Arts (Music and Visual Arts) are offered to all students. Supportive programs for specific children are also offered within the Literacy KLA where Reading Recovery and Bridging the Gap operate.

We have also introduced a program called Enrichment and Enhancement.

We believe that the success of each child is a result of the close partnership between student, staff, parents and the school community.

Whilst the future will bring changes to Somers Primary School, we will continue to offer a safe and caring learning environment, where all children will be treated fairly and can work to achieve their full potential.

The principle aim of Somers Primary School is to develop, in a caring and stimulating environment, the individual child to maximum potential, both academically and personally.

Guiding principles of the school are to;

Provide an environment for our students which is friendly, secure, flexible and most of all stimulating;

Ensure that the best interests and the learning needs of the children are paramount when decisions are made about the school;

Foster a love of learning and develop a sense of inquisitiveness within each student;

Recognise the equality of all students;

Encourage each student to achieve his or her potential in all activities;

Encourage students to appreciate and care for their natural environment;

Provide an inclusive, comprehensive curriculum encompassing the skills of decision making, problem solving and risk taking;

Promote self-discipline and high academic standards.

We believe that if we can maintain an educational environment with these guiding principles, then the children leaving Somers Primary School will be well equipped to meet the challenges of secondary school and life in general.

The curriculum at our School emphasises the development and the achievement of academic goals within a broad educational program and a supportive environment.

Sequential programs specifically adapted to the learning needs of our students are offered in the eight Key Learning Areas – English, Mathematics, Information Technology, the Arts, Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.), Studies Of Society and Environment (S.O.S.E.) and Health and Physical Education.

Emphasis is placed on the attainment of literacy and numeracy skills at all levels, but particularly in the early years with the school embracing the Early Years Program. This is supported by the teaching of single level classes (where student numbers permit) at the Year Prep and One levels.

Guiding Principles

In learning the curriculum, students will have the opportunity to:

Develop sound skills in all KLA areas but particularly in Mathematics and English;

Attain skills that will enhance their critical thinking abilities, problem solving techniques, research skills and decision-making abilities.

Cooperate with other students and adults;

Develop useful social skills to assist them to be responsible community members;

Develop initiative, confidence and an inquiring mind.

Involvement in the School Community

Excursions, visiting performers and speakers and a strong involvement in the Hastings and District School Sports Association supplement our School's curriculum.

Resources and facilities within the local area are frequently used. These include the beach and foreshore, Coolart Estate, the Koala Reserve, the sporting facilities and the facilities at the Children's School Camp Somers.

Our curriculum programs are designed and presented by a caring and dedicated staff. To keep abreast of changes not only with the curriculum but also with teaching methods the staff are actively encouraged to undertake regular, relevant professional development.

Our School is situated on a generous sized well-treed site. The grounds are a feature of our school and this is due substantially to the voluntary efforts of the Somers School Community.

The spacious grounds provide for both passive and active play areas. An oval, asphalted and climbing equipment areas cater for the more vigorous activities while shaded sandpits and shaded seating areas cater for passive activities.

The school has an extensive garden area, including a large hothouse which is currently also used by the Foreshore Committee. The children are responsible for the garden beds where they are growing all kinds of fruit and vegetables which are then utilised in the school's cooking program.

The buildings consist of both permanent and relocatable classrooms. We operate seven Classrooms, an Art Room, a Library, a LOTE Room, a Multi Purpose Room and a Computer Laboratory. The Administration area comprises three Offices, a Staffroom and First Aid Room. Every effort is made to keep the buildings well maintained both inside and out.

The school has refurbished the old (original) school house. This building was moved from an adjacent site in May 2002 and is used as our performing arts centre (among other uses).

The School Council is continuing to develop a master plan that will incorporate the possible siting of any new buildings, regular maintenance of the present buildings, and the continual improvement of the grounds.

Enrichment Program

- Gifted children
- Sport - mainstream and innovative
- Computer and internet training
- Instrumental music
- Excursions, specialist visitors, camps
- Transition programs from pre school to prep and year 6 to year 7
- Buddy system and peer mediation






Specialty Programs

- Art
- Music and Drama
- Library
- Bridging the Gap
- Reading Recovery
- Life Education
- Swimming
- Physical Education
- Extension and Enrichment
- Environmental Science