Annual Report 2004 St Joseph s Primary School Junee St Joseph's School Kitchener Street Junee 2663 Phone: 0269241717, Fax 0269243180 Email: info@sjju.wagga.catholic.edu.au Principal: Mr Paul Wilson 1 The School 1.1 The School Our Vision We believe that: * Building the Kingdom of God is achieved through our personal relationship with Jesus. * Our school is part of the Parish faith community and therefore part of the wider Church s mission. 1.2 Religious Education In 2004 our school was involved in the following Sacramental programmes. Sacrament of the Eucharist Sunday 15 th August The preparation for a Sacrament is really a team effort from many people in the Parish, including the teachers from St. Joseph s. Mrs. Catherine Armstrong as REC and Mrs. Margaret Drum as the Year 3 teacher, have put an enormous amount of time and effort into preparing not only St. Joseph s children but children from other schools as well. * The dignity of each person is to be respected. * Every child, regardless of background or circumstances, be challenged to develop spiritually, emotionally, academically and socially, to achieve their potential within the community. In 2004 twenty-five children from the Parish received the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Sacrament of Penance Wednesday 24 th November Seventeen children celebrated this Sacrament in 2004. Miss Lauren Nimmo and Mrs Catherine Armstrong prepared the children. School Motto: Christ Our Way 2004 Mission Efforts Many thanks to all families for their generosity with the Mission Fair in 2004. Approximately $600.00 was raised and the whole of this was presented to a visiting Mission Priest- Father Patrick from Tanzania. This amount ranked us in the Top Ten Schools for money raised per student across the whole Diocese. Well done everyone.
1.3 The Arts The major focus of our Arts programme in 2004 was the staging of our Whole School Concert Kids In Camelot. weather was not kind and the carnival had to be completed on a second day. Sub Junior Champions: Boy - Matthew Logan Girl - Kaitlyn Buck Junior Champions: Boy - Andrew McCarthy Girl - Felicity Davis 11 Years Champions: Boy - Scott Fitzgerald Girl - Jessica Taylor Senior Champions: Boy - Sam Riley Girl - Lisa Sweeney I would like to congratulate every single child in the school for their wonderful teamwork in preparing and presenting Kids In Camelot. The response after the play was very positive from various audience members. We also received a congratulatory card from one Grandparent thanking us for the wonderful play they saw. In the area of Visual Arts, all children entered a piece in the local Junee Show as part of the school s display. 1.4 Sport Swimming Carnival Friday 6 th February The swimming carnival was a great success. The children are all to be commended for getting in and having a go. Many thanks to all the judges, timekeepers, starter and recorders for doing such a great job. Your help was very much appreciated. The Champions were:- Junior Boy Luke Gunning Junior Girl Felicity Davis 11 Yr Boy Ethan Sims 11 Yr Girl Jessica Taylor Senior Boy James Smith Senior Girl Lisa Sweeney Congratulations to these children. The winning House on the day was GORETTI. Athletics Carnival Tuesday 6 th April Once again the day was supported a great deal of parent help. Unfortunately the The winning House for the Athletics Carnival was GORETTI. Our Sportsperson of the Year in 2004 was Andrew Heffernan. Andrew was a Year 4 student at the time and achieved many things during the year. Trent Barrett Shield The Rugby League talents of the boys and girls from Years 3 & 4 were put to the test over two Fridays as they participated in the competition for the prestigious Trent Barrett Shield. ST. JOSEPH S SCHOOL WINS TRENT BARRETT SHIELD! Mr Paul McCarthy(coach) with the boys from Years 3 and 4 who won the Trent Barrett Shield.
1.5 General and Specific School Initiatives School Open Day Friday 15 th October This was gain hosted by the Stage Three students. Approximately fifteen families visited the school on this day and were taken on a tour by the students. Morning tea followed in the Staffroom. stimulating and enjoyable activities. The children really enjoyed the day being able to read their favourite book and also joining in with Science experiments. Kindergarten Orientation Days These were held at the end of Term Four with children visiting for one day for four consecutive weeks. These days allow us to assess the children s abilities and readiness for school in preparation for the following year. Kindergarten Interviews These were introduced for the first time in 2004. Our Principal, Mr Paul Wilson talked individually with prospective Kindergarten children in the presence of their parents. It enabled Mr Wilson to establish an early relationship with these children to assist with their transition to big school. Wagga Wagga Eisteddfod Our school takes great pride in entering this Eisteddfod each year. Congratulations to the Year 2 children for their wonderful performance in the Wagga Eisteddfod winning the Year 1/2 Choral Speech Section. This is a wonderful achievement with our school winning this for the very first time. Mr Brian Beasley came along and helped celebrate Literacy week with the children sharing his poetry skills. 1.6 School Policies The following policies are part of our school and are available for parents to access. Assessment & Reporting Policy Homework Policy Library Policy Student Safety Policies Enrolment Policy Pastoral Care Policy Discipline Policy Bullying Policy Serious Offences Policy Excursion Policy Supervision Policy Critical Incidents Policy First Aid & Medication Policy Harassment Policy Child Protection Policy School Fee Policy School Uniform Policy Animals In Schools Policy Firearms Policy Chemical Safety Policy OH&S Policy Sport Policy Internet & Email Policy Complaints & Grievances Resolution Policy Some very proud Year 2 children display their winning trophy. Literacy & Science Day Friday 3 rd September The purpose of the day was to promote Literacy and Science within the school by presenting the children with various
2 Information on Key School Programs 2.1 Educational and Management Practice Evaluation School Culture Towards Term Four this year, we needed to make a change to our playground arrangements due to the safety aspect of the Jowett Oval and also because of the limited activity of students. We offered the children a choice of two playgrounds and increased our supervision levels at lunchtime. This resulted in more active students and less behaviour problems. This will continue in 2005. 2.2 Curriculum Focus The following Key Learning Areas were a focus in 2004: Mathematics With the introduction of the new Mathematics Syllabus in 2002, the Staff of St. Joseph spent a great deal of 2004 updating our Mathematics Policy, and learning and teaching practices in this area. This renewal was also supported by the P&F in purchasing resources for this area. This policy will be reviewed in 2005. English A review of the English Policy commenced in 2004. This is continuing in 2005 for a Curriculum Review in 2006. 2.3 Programs to Support Learning ICLT The area of Technology has been a major focus for St. Joseph s for the past three years. In 2004, the school consolidated its use of technology in the classroom with staff training and sharing in this area. A video camera and three digital cameras were purchased at the end of 2004 for student use. Reading Recovery This was not available at St. Joseph s in 2004 but the need for such a programme is reviewed at the end of each year. 2.4 Equity Programs Aboriginal Education Funding was received in 2004 to support learning and teaching at St Joseph s. The main area of support was in Literacy. The whole school addresses the importance of Aboriginal people in Australia s history through studies of Human Society and It s Environment. Multicultural Education St. Joseph s receives student support for English As A Second Language. Once again the whole school studies other cultures in the area of Human Society. 2.5 Programs to Support Students Students With Disabilities Students at St. Joseph s also receive funding under the heading of Students With Disabilities. Mrs Jane Davies, our Teacher Assistant works closely with these students. You Can Do It! One staff member was trained in this Life Skills programme for implementation in 2005. 2.6 Student Achievement Primary Writing Assessment Year 3 15 students. Our results were satisfactory in this area. Year 5 6 students. Our results were satisfactory in this area. Basic Skills Test Year 3 16 students. Our results were satisfactory in this area, with a particularly strong performance in Literacy. Year 5 7 students. Individual results were pleasing in this area. Computer Skills Assessment Year 6 11 students. Our school performed well in this area with particularly good results in the practical test. 2.7 Staff Achievement Paul Wilson and Jane Addison undertook a Curriculum Reviewers Course and are now involved in reviewing other school s curriculum documents. Libby Ridley attended the Musica Viva programme. Our leadership team participated in a three-day course on effective leadership identifying the existing and desirable state of St. Joseph s. In following this up, a survey went out on What makes a good school a good school?
The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 was the focus of a course attended by Jane Addison on Middle Schooling. The new administration package titled SAS 2000 was introduced late in 2004 with training for school secretaires and principals. Jane Addison was involved in the marking of the Primary Writing Assessment tasks. Scott Lyons attended a training day on the You Can Do It programme to be implemented in 2005. Debbie Petersen and Margaret Drum began their Literacy Learning and Teaching in the Classroom course. This is to conclude in 2005. Our Staff Development Days in 2004 were based on the following: - Term 2: We looked at the question, What makes a good school a good school? In answering this question we thought about what our students need to be active and effective members of our school community, and also what they need as future adults. - Term 3 & 4: The staff travelled to various schools to look at class multi-age structures and how these are implemented. On Monday the staff collated our observations from the Friday school visits and set some directions for our own classes for next year. 3 School Renewal 3.1 Progress of the School Renewal Framework Focus Areas Assessment & Reporting: In 2004 we continued to fine-tune our electronic reporting format. We also introduced a Mathematics Continuum used for in-house recording of children s progress through the grades. Mathematics Policy: This was developed and implemented over 2004. Playgrounds: The use of our school playgrounds was reviewed in 2004 with further development of the Top Playground beginning at the start of Term Two. Buildings: The school buildings of the bottom of the school were repainted inside and out using the resources of the staff, parent body and local gaol. 4 School Overview 4.1 School Enrolment and Attendance Profile Class Enrolment Attendance % Kindergarten 17 95 Year 1 16 95 Year 2 20 95 Year 3 17 93 Year 4 21 96 Year 5 7 95 Year 6 11 94 4.2 Structure of Classes In 2004, St Joseph's School was structured in the following way: Kindergarten (9-1) Year One (9-1) Year Two (9-1) Kinder/Year One (2-3) Year One/Two (2-3) Year 3 Year 4 Year 5/6 4.3 Staffing In 2004, seven teachers on a full-time or part-time basis staffed St Joseph s School. All teachers at St Joseph's School hold a Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education degree or higher, with training in Religious Education. 4.4 Parent Involvement and Participation School Board 2004 The following people made up St. Joseph s School Board in 2004. Chairperson: Michael Commins Vice Chairperson: Rhonda Heffernan Secretary: Michelle Johnson Treasurer: Sandra Heffernan
General Members: Graham Manning, Peter Blundell The School Board spent most of 2004 assessing our Playground space. Three meetings were held with the Parish and P&F to discuss land usage. More decisions are to be made in 2005. Jowett Estate This estate contributed around $11500 to our school in 2004. Areas of expenditure included: - The lease of the computers. - New desks for Year 3 - New guitars. - Three new digital cameras. - One new digital video camera. Parent & Friends Association 2004 President Maree Manning Vice President Liz Blundell. Secretary Patrya Cook. Treasurer Louise McDermott. Publicity Officer Fiona Herbert. Uniforms Kay Goldsworthy. Housie Maree Allamby. School Board Rep. vacant. The P&F contributed the following in 2004: Classroom Resources = $3500 Groundsperson = $2000 Wishlist = $2745 Grounds = $12 934 Total = $21 179 Wishlist Expenditure included: Maths Equipment Readers for Year 4 Short listed books for the Library Electric Sharpener for Stage One Working Bees 2004 There were three major working bees in 2004. The main areas addressed include: - Installation of the new fence. - Laying of turf. - Installation of new playground equipment. - Painting of the exterior of the school. These were every well attended and achieved more than most schools would in five years! 4.5 Community Use of School Facilities There was no community use of our facilities in 2004. 4.6 Financial Statement Summary Income Graph for St. Joseph s highlighting the importance of School Fees Other Donations P&F Donation Parish Donatio Book Fees School Fees This data shown below is a summary of Diocese of Wagga School System income and expense and includes income and expense of all system schools. Other Capital Income, 1.2% Government Capital Grants, 1.0% Fees and Private Income, 18.9% Expenditure on the grounds included: Turf for the top playground. Trees and pants. New playground equipment. Parent Forums 2004 In 2004 the following forums were held: Term One: Top Playground Development Plans. Term Two: Mathematics and Computer Skills. Term Three: What makes a good school a good school? Term Four: Multiaging Commonwealth Recurrent Grants, 57.6% State Recurrent Grants, 21.4%
Non-salary Expenses, 13.3% Salaries, allowances and related expenses, 86.7% The total income and expense of the school, that is included in the above, is shown below. Fees and Private Income, 18.6% Commonweal th Recurrent Grants, 60.3% State Recurrent Grants, 21.0% Non-salary Exenses, 2.7% Salaries, allowances and related expenses, 97.3% 4.7 About This Report This report was written in May 2005 using the School Newsletter and financial records as the main source of information. The Principal, Mr Paul Wilson, compiled this report.