School Achievements

Mudgee Public is set up to assist children achieve excellence across a broad range of endeavours.  The following is a glimpse of the high levels of attainment reached by our students.  These achievements not only tell the story of our talented students but also point to the commitment and professionalism of our teaching staff who work so hard to assist the children reach such levels as well as the support structures we have in place to enable such results.

Academics    In 2009 our assessment has once again demonstrated the growth achieved by our students.  In the early years of schooling, Western Region has set aspirational targets which give schools a benchmark to strive for.  In 2009, 81% of our Kindergarten students achieved that benchmark, which is Level 5.  In our Year 2 cohort, 87% of our mainstream students achieved the benchmark, which is set at 21, with the other 13% achieving either Level 20 or 21, in other words, no more than 2 levels below the benchmark.

Technology  Mudgee Public’s commitment to using technology as a tool in the education of our students is strong.  This is demonstrated by the fact that we have a computer lab with 15 desktop computers and a mobile computer lab with 14 laptops.  These computers are supported by either optic fibre or a wireless network.  In addition to this, every classroom in the school has an interactive whiteboard, with the school also fitted with a “connected classroom”.  This technology not only permits every teacher and student to access countless educational lessons and opportunities in the comfort of their own room, but it also means that we have the capability to learn with and from other teachers, students and educational providers from around Australia and the rest of the world.

Performing Arts     Each year children from Kindergarten through to Year 6 have the opportunity to showcase their talents by competing against other schools.  This is done each year by competing in a range of categories in our local Gulgong Eisteddfod.  In 2009, Mudgee Public children were awarded 1st Place across a range of categories, including: choir, instrumental group, percussion group, verse speaking and choral verse speaking .
Our school band program is outstanding.  We have 2 bands – a Beginners’ Band and a Senior Concert Band, with just under 60 children involved in our band program.  In addition to this we have 3 choirs as well as a dance group.  In 2006 our Concert Band, choir and dance group undertook a 2-day tour to the Hawkesbury area.  In 2007 our Concert Band released its first CD.  In 2008 our Concert Band, Harmony Choir and our dance group undertook a 3-day tour of the South Coast.  In 2009, our Concert Band and Harmony Choir released our 2nd CD.  Alongside of this we have developed a strong partnership with John Morrison, Australia’s leading jazz drummer, and his wife, Jackie Cooper, who visit our school yearly to run workshops with our band and choirs during the day and then perform with them in a special community concert in the evening.

Debating, Public Speaking and Tournament of the Mind Mudgee Public has built up a strong reputation in each of these areas.  In 2006 our TOM Literacy team were State Runners-up; in 2006 our debating team came 5th in the State, while in 2009 our Premier’s Debating team were Western Region Runners-up for the second year running.  2009 also saw us enter a Year 5 debating team in the Western Region Challenge.  Although mainly competing against Year 6 students, our team went on to win the Regional Final.  Once again in 2009 our TOM teams as well as our Public Speakers performed with distinction at local and Regional events.
Sport
2009 saw students from Mudgee Public achieve outstanding results on the sporting fields.  Students participated in a number of state knock-out team events as well as in individual events such as swimming, cross-country and athletics.  Once again, students from Mudgee Public achieved success which in each of these areas, with children from Mudgee Public making it to State Carnivals in swimming, cross-country and athletics.  Of particular note was the success of our school relay teams.  Three of our 4 teams represented Western Region at State, with our Junior Boys finishing 7th in the State Final.