DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION Sunshine Coast Grammar School is a non-selective, co-educational, Christian school owned and operated by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) and sponsored by the Uniting and Presbyterian Churches. The school provides education to young people from early childhood to Year 12. On graduating from the school, it is intended that students will have multiple options available to pursue. The School is located on a single campus at Forest Glen and has a community outpost providing early childhood education. School sector: As a part of the Independent Schools sector in Queensland, Sunshine Coast Grammar School is a school owned and operated by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA), which also owns and operates Brisbane Boys College, Clayfield College and Somerville House. School s address: Sunshine Coast Grammar School 372 Mons Road Forest Glen QLD 4556 Australia T: +61 7 5445 4444 F: +61 7 5445 4345 E :enquire@scgs.qld.edu.au Total enrolments: 1267 Year levels offered: Prep Year 12 Co-educational or single sex: Co-educational
DISTINCTIVE CURRICULUM OFFERINGS At Sunshine Coast Grammar School, we acknowledge our academic roots, the primacy and importance of excellent teaching and learning, the offering of rigorous academic programmes (Prep 12) and academic excellence. At Sunshine Coast Grammar School, we strive for Academic Excellence (the very best each student can do) Excellence connotes the quality of being very good, distinguished, high quality and outstanding. Academic institutions striving to deliver high outcomes for students would have this quality in abundant measure in the main spheres of their activity, namely, teaching and learning. Academic programmes are relevant, varied and challenging. The QSA syllabi and programmes are not stagnant. There is continual change in response to developments taking place. This is especially true with the teaching of the key learning areas. At Sunshine Coast Grammar School we are striving for a high degree of inter-disciplinary interactions among staff and students, quality teaching and quality learning. The school is committed to providing students with the opportunity to become self-motivated, confident, disciplined and responsible adults who may become future leaders and thoughtful contributors to society. Sunshine Coast Grammar School has learning enrichment programs across the school. During Term 1 and Term 4 of each year extensive assessment is carried out that enables support staff to identify students who will benefit from an enrichment programme aimed at catering for students specific learning needs. Enrichment programmes focus on the needs of the learner whether this is in the academic area or in the development of skills required to achieve a workplace traineeship for a senior student. Sunshine Coast Grammar School has dedicated Gifted and Talented teachers in the primary, middle and senior schools. They work with students on an individual basis, establishing the specific needs of those students who require opportunities to extend past the mainstream curriculum in senior subjects and in preparation for post secondary study.
JUNIOR SCHOOL Sunshine Coast Grammar Junior School provides an engaging, challenging learning environment with a distinctive level of individual care for each unique child. As a community of learners we are aware of the importance the Junior School plays in providing fun, stimulating, diverse opportunities to develop and extend the whole child in terms of their intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural development. The college has a number of distinctive curriculum offerings which draw out each individual s potential and unique talents. Innovative Curriculum Studies: Our Assistant Head of Junior School Curriculum collaboratively plans rigorous units of work with Year level teams, including Primary Connection Science Units Streamed Mathematics Year 4 6 Culminating Days at the end of each Unit for parents and special friends ICAS University competition for all students Year 3 6 Seamless transitions through the school ICT embedded into the curriculum, Year 4 6 ICT lessons Specialist lessons Prep Year 6 in P.E., Drama, Music, Christian Studies LOTE, Japanese, Chinese, French Year 4 6 Robotics Year 6 Debating Learning Support: Our exceptionally qualified Learning Enrichment Team offer the following programs to support and extend our Junior School students: UQ ELF Reading Recovery Maths Support UQ PAL Literacy Lab Intensive Reading Intensive Mathematics Success Maker Individual Support Programs for identified students Support a writer Comprehension Skills Social Skills Extension opportunities to raise the bar : Year 3 literacy extension Year 4 Science and Maths extension Year 5 and 6 JASON Project Year 5 Maths Olympiad Buranga Camp Expert Writers Engquest Readers' Cup Independent Research Projects Murder under the Microscope Sporting Opportunities: Our Infant students, Year 1 3, participate in a range of sporting opportunities appropriately matched to their motor development. These sports include:
Aerobics Athletics running games Basketball Beginners Tennis Cheerleading Cricket Dance Frisbee Games Fun Net Gymnastics Horse Riding (Year 3 only) Minki Hockey Perceptual Motor Skills Soccer Swimming T-Ball Touch Football Triathlon Walla Rugby At a Primary level, Year 4-6 students have an opportunity to participate in the Sunshine Coast Independent School Sports Association competition each Thursday afternoon. Sports include: Aerobics AFL Athletics Basketball Cricket (Super 8 s) Cross Country Football Hockey Netball Rugby Sailing School based sports Softball Swimming Tennis Touch Football Volleyball Water Polo On weekends students can choose to participate in the SCGS Club sports of rugby, netball, or football/futsal. Performance and the Arts: Students have an opportunity to participate in choirs and learn a musical instrument. Our annual Showcase evening displays the quality of our performing arts program. Outdoor Education Experiences: Students attend camps beginning with a day camp in Prep and building up to a 4 day camp in Year 6. Students develop independence, team building, challenge themselves and enhance relationships through their outdoor education experience. Extra Curricular Opportunities: Tennis Young Protégé Group Rugby, Netball and Football Club French Club Chess Club Social Skills Programs Seasons for Growth, for students suffering grief and loss Drama tuition Vocal Tuition Chess Competitions Speech and Drama eisteddfods Visit to the Australian Jason Project (Science) Sunshine Coast Independent Heads Leadership Day Instrumental lessons
MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle Years Goal: To inspire our young people and to fully engage and challenge students so that they love learning and love coming to school because of it. The first step towards inspiration is engagement. At Sunshine Coast Grammar School we promote engagement through a range of means, namely: A supportive environment where students feel safe, happy and valued The development of relevant and meaningful units of work Teachers constantly focussing on how best to teach students in the adolescent years, encompassing cooperative learning, use of technology and knowledge of individual learning styles Arguably the greatest positive influence on students inspiration and engagement are our Special Interest Studies (SIS) where students can pursue rigorous studies in their area of passion. Through SIS, students are brought together by a common passion. They choose four different SIS over Years 8 and 9. Each unit extends and enriches our students learning. For example, a student who loves Science will do the regular Years 8 and 9 Science course (four semesters in total) but can also take the three SIS Science units another three semesters of Science! It is not just about furthering a study in the students area of interest, it is about having a go at something new or different. Many students can attest that their selection of SIS has opened up a whole new avenue of interest. Grammar also offers Schools of Excellence in Maths, ICT and Tennis. Our Excellence programs are currently under review for 2009. Ultimately the success of these programs might be proven by the fact that several of our students have had life-changing experiences as a result of the in-depth studies of their special interest. Two past students are now pursuing a career in Marine Studies sparked by their experiences in Finding Nemo, several students have confirmed their passion for ICT as a direction and at least two others are aiming to complete their tertiary studies whilst undertaking tennis scholarships in the United States. At Grammar, we believe the saying, A good teacher teaches. A great teacher inspires. Middle School at Grammar covers Years 7, 8 and 9, with Year 7 serving as a transition year.
SENIOR SCHOOL The semester unit approach to curriculum design in Year 10 allows students to study in areas of interest or in courses which have been identified as necessary for the progression to Year 11 and 12 studies and beyond. Students select their electives according to a set of guidelines, which ensures that a balance of learning across Key Learning Areas is achieved. All students are provided with the opportunity to participate in work experience, school-based traineeships, school-based apprenticeships and a number of university courses during their Senior Phase of Learning. Our Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator (6-12) works with students on an individual and small group basis, establishing the specific needs of those students who are capable of undertaking greater breadth and depth of learning experiences beyond the mainstream.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Students are encouraged to be involved in extensive music, choir, language, art, drama and public speaking programs. The School also offers students a variety of opportunities to participate in extensive travel programs where students can experience many countries of the world. Sunshine Coast Grammar School has been conscious of the importance of providing opportunities for students to experience links with sister schools in France, England, China, Japan and Canada. Our willingness to facilitate performance in the arts, debating, art, camps, Opti Minds, enrichment classes and similar opportunities, is testament to our "Strength of Purpose" in providing members of our school family a place of learning where academic, sporting and cultural attainment are valued. Just as the Sunshine Coast Grammar School values cultural pursuits, so too do we place emphasis on the wonders of participating in the exercise of both mind and body. A wide range of sports, both team and individual is provided for our students. Individuals and teams from our school have won Regional, State and Australian titles. We regularly host interstate and international teams for Tennis, Cricket, Soccer, Netball and Rugby matches. Our Tennis School of Excellence has now produced six Australian representatives, with two of our graduates now playing professional tournaments, and one graduate about to undertake a College scholarship in the USA. The School offers a myriad of activities that revolve around the life-long skills of participation, teamwork, fitness, challenge and dedication. At our school we offer chances to compete in Athletics, Australian Rules Football, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cricket, Cross Country, Equestrian, Futsal, Hockey, Kayaking, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Royal Life Saving, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Sports Aerobics, Surfing, Surf Life Saving, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Triathlon Volleyball and Water Polo. We compete against local State and Independent Schools in weekly competitions, as well as taking on schools from across the state and country in knock-out competitions and tournaments. As well as competition, we offer a wide range of participatory activities including: Beach Volleyball, Dance, Fishing, Fitness, Golf, Table Tennis, Tug-o -War and Yoga. Sunshine Coast Grammar School has a strong emphasis on pastoral care and this is reflected in the approach all staff, including non-teaching staff, display when interacting with students. Whilst the Junior School classroom teacher is best suited to this Pastoral Care role in the earlier years, the Heads of House play a key pastoral role for the students in the Middle and Senior schools. Each student in the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools belongs to one of four Houses - Sturt, Lawson, Chisholm or Bradman. The House system provides students with a sense of teamwork and pride - as well as a focus for Pastoral Care. In 2007, Middle School Heads of House were appointed to work alongside Senior School Heads of House. This enables staff to maintain a closer contact with students and their families and provide support for students to achieve their academic and personal best.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT Parent involvement is welcomed and encouraged at Sunshine Coast Grammar School. Parents are active in the Parents and Friends Association, in parent support groups associated with each of the sub-schools and as trained volunteer helpers in the classrooms, particularly in the Junior School. Sunshine Coast Grammar School has parent support groups for: Music Netball Rugby Football Tennis Cricket Parents volunteer to assist in the tuckshop, in coaching sport teams across the school and in the music department. In addition, parents have been invited to participate in Reference Groups to assist staff and management, i.e. Alternative Pathways Committee and Christian Ethos panel.
STAFFING INFORMATION Qualifications of all teachers: Qualification Percentage of classroom teachers and school leaders at the school Doctorate 0 Masters 12 Bachelor Degree 80 Diploma 6 Certificate 1 Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development: Description of PL activity Number of teachers participating in activity Curriculum Differentiation with Bronwyn McLeod 32 Various QSA seminars 65 Planning days 160 First Aid 38 Sport coaching 11 Technology resources in servicing 94 Total number of teachers participating in at least one activity in the program year 99 Total expenditure on Teacher PL (as recorded in Financial Questionnaire) $118,973 Average expenditure on PL per teacher $1202 The involvement of teaching staff in professional development activities during 2007 was 100% Average staff attendance for the school, based on unplanned absences of sick and emergency leave periods of up to 5 days: Number of Staff 99 Number of School Days 180 Total Days Staff Absences 446 Average Staff Attendance Rate 175.5 For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders the staff attendance rate was 97.5% in 2007 Proportion of teaching staff retained from the previous year: Number of permanent teaching staff at end of program year (Head Count) 99 Number of these staff retained in the following year 85 % retention rate 85.86
KEY STUDENT OUTCOMES Average student attendance rate: Total number of students 1267 Number of school days in program year 228060 Total number of student absences 11854 * Average attendance rate % 94.62 * Reading, Writing and Numeracy: BENCHMARK DATA: READING Year Average Score (School) Average Score (State) % above benchmark Year 3 586 527 100% Year 5 646 606 94% Year 7 707 672 98% WRITING Year Average Score (School) Average Score (State) % above benchmark Year 3 565 523 100% Year 5 619 600 94% Year 7 690 681 98% NUMERACY Year Average Score (School) Average Score (State) % above benchmark Year 3 584 521 97% Year 5 625 588 96% Year 7 674 648 92% Percentage of students in the current and previous year above the national benchmark: * READING Year Average Score (School) % on or above benchmark Previous Year Current Year Previous Year Current Year 3 575 586 100 100 5 653 646 98 94 7 714 707 Percentage change = 2% WRITING Year Average Score (School) % on or above benchmark Previous Year Current Year Previous Year Current Year 3 551 565 99 100 5 658 619 100 94 7 750 690 Percentage change = 5% NUMERACY Year Average Score (School) % on or above benchmark Previous Year Current Year Previous Year Current Year 3 574 584 96 97 5 643 625 98 96 7 685 674 Percentage change = 1%
Apparent retention rate: Year Year 8 Base Year 12 Retention rate % 2005 98 85 86.7% 2006 111 110 99% 2007 103 93 90.2% During the period 2002 2003, the former owner of the school was unable to continue as Headmaster. This placed the future of the school under some doubt, hence a large number of students departed. In January 2004, the School was purchased by the PMSA enrolments first stabilized and are now increasing significantly. Year 12 student enrolment as a percentage of the Year 8 cohort is 90.2% Year 12 outcomes: Outcomes for our Year 12 cohort 2007 Total number of Senior Certificates awarded 89 Percentage of Overall Position (OP) eligible students with OP 1-15 74.2% Percentage of students awarded Senior Certificates and awarded a 37% Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification Percentage of students awarded Senior Certificates with OP-eligibility or 99% awarded a VET qualification Percentage of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) applicants 100% receiving an offer In 2007, we had 89 students eligible for an OP score. Three students obtained an OP 1 and overall, 22.5% of our students obtained an OP 1-5. Fourteen of our top students were girls; six were boys.
HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED TO ASSIST LEARNING At Sunshine Coast Grammar School Information Technology is integrated into the curriculum in each of the sub-schools and in each year level. The School has over 600 computers either as desktop machines or laptops that are mobilised via trolleys that allow them to be taken from class to class. Staff throughout the school are engaged in a continuous programme of professional development that allows them to increase their understanding of both the hardware and software. All Junior School classrooms have access to a pod of computers, to allow students and teachers to use computers as tools for learning on a daily basis. Each Infant classroom has five PCs providing a range of online learning opportunities, with teachers selecting computer experiences and software to cater for infant learning needs and styles. Students in Yrs 4 to 6 have access to 26 laptop computers on mobile trolleys networked wirelessly in most classrooms. The Junior School are also pioneering the use of Interactive White Boards, beginning in Yr 3 and the Learning Enrichment Room, with the aim of expanding their potential in all Junior School Classrooms. The IWBs provide students with multi-sensory learning experiences and allow teachers to use technology without the need to use a keyboard. Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 have stand-alone lessons in ICT, with a specialist teacher, in the Junior School Computer Lab each week. These ICT learning experiences enable students to actively use ICTs to organise, research, interpret, communicate and represent knowledge. Class teachers and ICT specialist coconstruct the learning experiences to be relevant and meaningful to Year level topics and units. Classroom teachers also access the lab with their class to allow students to pepper their learning with ICT. In the Middle and Senior schools the focus is on the integration of ICT into the curriculum. The School has established an e-learning portal using the software called Moodle and staff are continuing to add coursework to it so that students can continue their learning at any time, in any place and at their own pace. Opportunities for students, in the middle and senior school, to excel in ICT are also provided via the ICT Class of Excellence. The School has also commenced a trial with an external provider to deliver on-line tutorial support to students in selected year levels. Throughout the School, teachers and students are developing activities and assessment instruments that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and procedural skills through the creation of multimedia that incorporate text, audio and digital video.
REVIEW OF SCGS STRATEGIC PLAN The focus of 2007 was to improve the School s academic programme and delivery, with an emphasis on quality teaching and learning. This goal was achieved with the appointment of the inaugural Dean of Teaching and Learning and the subsequently the School Council approving the implementation of the Dimensions of Learning framework from the commencement of 2008. A School Chaplain commenced in 2007 and Christian Studies was introduced at Year 11. Scripture Union activities commenced at the School. Chinese was introduced in both the Junior and Senior Schools, with classes eventually planned to occur in the Middle School. In late 2007, a Compliance Officer (with responsibility for WPH&S and Workplace Rehabilitation) and a Marketing Officer were appointed. Two new tennis courts and a gymnasium training facility were constructed and planning commenced for a major building programme to commence in 2008. The number and quality of applicants for teaching and non-teaching positions continued to improve during 2007. The Chairman of PMSA commended the Headmaster, Executive and staff, in writing, for their excellent work throughout 2007. Further information, including access to policies, can be obtained from the school webpage: www.scgs.qld.edu.au, through our email account: enquire@scgs.qld.edu.au, or the Headmaster s PA, Mrs. Mary Glover: mglover@scgs.qld.edu.au.