- Posted on 1 May 2025
- 2-minute read
School context
Taparra Primary School is located in Elizabeth Downs, a low socio-economic area in Northern Adelaide, South Australia. The school has 118 enrolments and 14% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enrolments.
The school has a large cohort of students with disability (over 60%) and a large variation in student learning needs.
Challenge
The principal of Taparra Primary, Caitlin Manser identified many students who attended the site had barriers to engaging with their education and that these barriers frequently revolved around resource disadvantage, disability or additional needs.
Actions taken
In response to the diverse needs of its students, the leadership team at Taparra Primary has implemented several significant changes aimed at fostering educational equity and enhancing student inclusion. These changes encompass a comprehensive, site-wide shift towards promoting inclusive practices and prioritising student wellbeing.
Among the initiatives introduced were a student-led podcast, which provides students with an opportunity to express their voices and engage in meaningful dialogue, and the integration of a wellbeing dog to offer emotional support and promote a positive school atmosphere.
Additionally, the school launched an annual restaurant project, organised by students in the disability unit, to focus on developing life skills and providing practical learning experiences.
Another key initiative involved encouraging students to participate in community service activities, designed not only to strengthen their connection to the school community but also to cultivate critical skills that contribute to their personal growth and sense of belonging.
Through these efforts, Taparra Primary is actively working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment that nurtures the potential of all its students.
Leadership and planning
The Strategy for Public Education in South Australia was a strong driver in the school’s approach to addressing student needs and feelings of inclusion.
The Strategy, which prioritises equity and excellence, wellbeing, effective learning, and learner agency, has provided an operating environment where school leadership has felt supported to pursue concepts which strengthen student engagement with their schooling and drives stronger academic and life outcomes.
Outcomes
Taparra’s strong focus on equity and excellence has resulted in improved attendance rates and NAPLAN results.
The school’s Wellbeing and Engagement Collection (WEC) results show students feel a strong sense of belonging to the school with 86% of students reporting they have an important adult at Taparra Primary School.
Since changing its approach, the school has also seen a significant decrease in suspensions (60% decrease from 2023 to 2024).