It is important for all Caloundra City Private School families to be assured of our School’s point of difference; because we certainly are unique. Caloundra City Private School has been approached by Cambridge University to contribute to an international Innovative Institutions campaign, as they have recognised CCPS as an innovative education leader internationally. If you’re an experienced campaigner at Caloundra City Private School, you may recall that the School was published in the International Journal of Creativity and Innovation for our programme of learning using our natural environment and hands-on practical learning experiences for the children. Our wonderful permaculture garden, Club activities, and classroom lessons across the curriculum represent the direct and real-world learning that we offer, complemented by nationally acclaimed literacy and numeracy learning achievements in our Junior School’s NAPLAN Learning Gains. The combination of care and attention-to-detail given by our Teachers, along with our state of the art, technology rich, green campus really is second to none on the Sunshine Coast. Our ability to quickly put in place support and specific learning experiences for individual children is because we are caring, smaller in size, and flexible; with experienced educators and totally independent. At Caloundra City Private School, our fees are very moderate by local and state standards, although there are some schools where fees are lower. There are schools locally whose fees are substantially higher, with Learning Gains only comparable to our students’ progress, at best. We take pride in having a campus where older students nurture and support the little ones to learn. Recently, at our Leadership Assembly, it was a pleasure to be able to present our nominated student leaders with their badges. Mr Maguire’s words about being part of a team of leaders were poignant, and his encouragement that everyone within the school community has the honour and responsibility to lead. I think effective leaders are those who are followed because they act; they are respected for their actions. It is such a privilege to personally know these young people in our small school and be able to directly shake their hand as they proudly receive their badge in front of their Schoolmates. We have a high quality group of Year 12 students as our most senior leaders, contributing to the calm, peaceful and happy tone of our school. Our beautiful environment in which they learn is a major factor in the uniqueness and assurances by which our students develop. I recently came across an opinion piece by Kevin Donnelly in The Australian. The article describes how socio-economic wealth accounts for about 13 percent of school student academic performance, but it is genetic inheritance and academic ability that account for 50 percent. Additional factors are the influence of quality Teachers, and the resilience or hard work of students. Donnelly contends that it is the left side of politics that says lower socio-economic schools need more funding because that’s why they don’t achieve as well, as say students in Independent Schools, like CCPS. I take you back to my opening paragraph, to reiterate, that we have a unique school, both nationally and internationally recognised for our program, and for our students’ outstanding Learning Gains. You won’t find our school anywhere else but here in Pelican Waters. Dr Dirk Wellham – Principal   Download the – What’s Your School’s Point of Difference PDF