Sacred Heart Primary School, Tocumwal Annual Report

Sacred Heart Primary School, Tocumwal 2016 Annual Report Principal: Mr Pat Boake Address: 37-45 Charlotte St, PO Box 88 Tocumwal NSW Phone: 03 5874 2371 Fax: 03 5874 2934 Web: http://www.shtww.catholic.edu.au

About this Report Sacred Heart Primary School is registered by the NSW Education Standards Authority, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW. The Catholic Schools Office, Wagga Wagga the approved authority for the Registration System formed under Section 39 of the Education Act 1990 (NSW). The Annual School Report to the Community provides parents and the wider community with fair, reliable and objective information about Sacred Heart Primary School and its performance measures and policies, as determined by the Minister for Education. The Report also outlines information about initiatives and developments of major interest and importance during the year and the achievements arising from the implementation of the School s Annual Improvement Plan. The Report demonstrates accountability to regulatory bodies, the Sacred Heart School community and the Catholic Schools Office, Wagga Wagga. This Report has been approved by the Catholic Schools Office, Wagga Wagga in consultation with the School Consultant who monitors the Sacred Heart Primary School and has the appropriate processes in place to ensure compliance with all NSW Education Standards Authority, Teaching and Educational Standards, NSW requirements for Registration and Accreditation secondary schools and Registration of primary schools. This Report complements and is supplementary to Sacred Heart Primary School s newsletters and other forms of communication. Further information about Sacred Heart Primary School may be obtained by contacting the school or by visiting the school s website. Page - 1 -

Section 1: Message from Key Groups in Our School Community Message from the Principal Sacred Heart is a small rural Catholic school in the Murray Darling Basin, which supports families with the holistic development of their children s education. As a staff we live and model the teachings of Jesus and how they apply to everyday life in our school community. The school is supported by a very caring staff, who work with each student as if they are members of their family. It is a pleasure to lead and teach in such a positive working environment, caring for the students and families at Sacred Heart Primary School. Message from the Parent Body Sacred Heart Primary School has a very active parent body. We do our best to support the school through the school tuckshop, fundraising, working bees and helping in the class where needed. Sacred Heart School parent body brings together representative of all those within the parish, who are concerned with the work of our Catholic School. Our school parent leadership committee is usually comprised of the parish priest, school principal, a staff representative and the members of the parent community. The parents of Sacred Heart School are very supportive of the dedicated staff working at the school and are pleased with the level of Christian holistic learning that is being taught at Sacred Heart School. Page - 2 -

Section 2: School Features/Context Sacred Heart Primary School is a rural school of about 40 students. It is in the town of Tocumwal NSW which is situated on the Murray River. The Catholic School was opened by Fr. Henessy in January 1899 with 40 pupils. The first teacher was Miss Murphy whose credentials were excellent. Four sisters of Mercy arrived in Tocumwal to teach at Sacred Heart Primary on the 14 th January 1906. The principal at Sacred Heart is Mr Pat Boake and the staff are all very professional in their dealings with students and the parent community. Page - 3 -

Section 3: Student Profile The following information describes the student profile for 2016: Girls Boys LBOTE* Indigenous Total 22 16 5 0 38 *Language background other than English Enrolment Policy The Diocese of Wagga Wagga has established an Enrolment Policy which is implemented by all systemic schools in the Diocese. The implementation of this policy is monitored by the Catholic Schools Office. Copies of this policy and other policies in this report may be obtained from the Catholic Schools Office website or by contacting the Catholic Schools Office. All parents at Sacred Heart School give a firm commitment that they will accept and support the life, nature and identity of our Catholic School, including the participation of their children in religious education programs. NSW Legislation allows for the enrolment of children into Kindergarten who turn five before 1 st August. Parents of children who turn five after 30 th May are advised by the principal of the possible implication for their child. Students are to begin school by the age of 6. Student Attendance and Retention Rates Year Attendance % Kinder 95% Year 1 93% Year 2 91% Year 3 94% Year 4 92% Year 5 92% Year 6 92% The average student attendance rate for 2016 was 92%. Page - 4 -

Regular attendance at school is essential if students are to maximise their potential. Sacred Heart School, in partnership with parents, is responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, our school staff as part of their duty of care, monitor part or whole day absences. Sacred Heart staff, under the Principal s leadership, support the regular attendance of students by: providing a caring teaching and learning environment which fosters students sense of wellbeing and belonging to the Sacred Heart School community; maintaining accurate records of student attendance; recognising and rewarding excellent and improved student attendance; implementing programs and practices to address attendance issues when they arise. The Principal is responsible for supporting the regular attendance of students by ensuring that: parents and students are regularly informed of attendance requirements and the consequences of unsatisfactory attendance; all cases of unsatisfactory attendance and part or full day absences from school are investigated promptly and that appropriate intervention strategies are implemented; the Director of Catholic Schools or designated Catholic Schools Office Wagga Wagga officer is provided with regular information about students for whom chronic non-attendance is an issue and for whom school strategies have failed to restore regular attendance. Section 4: Staffing Profile The NSW government requires that this report details the number of teachers in each of the following categories: a) have teaching qualifications from a higher education institution within Australia or as recognised within the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) guidelines b) have qualifications as a graduate from a higher education institution within Australia or one recognised within the AEI-NOOSR guidelines but lack formal teacher education qualifications c) do not have qualifications as described in (a) or (b) but have relevant successful teaching experience or appropriate knowledge relevant to the teaching context. Such teachers must have been employed: - to teach in NSW before 1 October 2004 (either on a permanent, casual or temporary basis), and - as a teacher during the last five (5) years in a permanent, casual or temporary capacity. Page - 5 -

Teacher Standards The following table sets out the number of teachers who fall into each of the categories determined by BOSTSES. Teacher Qualification Number of Teachers a Those having formal qualifications from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent 6 b Those having graduate qualifications but not a formal teaching qualification from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent. 1 The following information describes the staffing profile for 2016: Total Teaching Staff * Total Non-Teaching Staff Combined Total 6 2 8 *This number includes 1 Fulltime teachers and 5 part-time teachers Percentage of staff who are indigenous Professional Learning The ongoing professional development of each staff member is highly valued. Professional learning can take many forms including whole school staff days, subject specific in service courses, meetings, conferences and a range of professional learning programs provided by the Catholic Schools Office Wagga Wagga. All the staff at Sacred Heart Primary are offered professional learning in teaching religion, First Aid, CPR, OH&S, Targeting Math and all the Key Learning Areas of the N.S.W. Curriculum. Page - 6 -

Section 5: Catholic Life and Religious Education Sacred Heart Primary School is a Catholic Parish School. The school promotes values and attitudes that will enhance the growth and development of our Catholic school children. Sacred Heart School follows the Wagga Wagga Diocesan Religious Education Curriculum, Sharing Our Story. The school resources are available for the good of the whole Catholic Parish. The participation of the priest and the parishioners in the school will always be sought for furthering the growth and development of our school community. Through school and classroom prayer we join as a Christian community to pray. The teaching staff pray with students daily. Staff and students are encouraged to share prayerful experiences, both formally and informally. Mr Boake, our school principal and religious education teacher collaboratively works with Mrs. Babington our music support teacher to organise musical experiences during the celebration of school masses. Father Martin Cruickshank our parish priest has a strong supportive presence in the school during liturgical celebrations. Sacramental programs are conducted in the school with the support of the parish priest. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in Year 2, Eucharist in Year 3 and Confirmation in Years 5 and 6 (every even year). Professional Learning in Catholic Life and Mission The Diocese of Wagga Wagga Catholic Schools Office has established a policy on the Professional Requirements for the Accreditation of Teachers of Religious Education which is implemented by all systemic schools in the Diocese. Sacred Heart Primary School is a community of learners where the children, staff and parents are witness to their faith. Therefore as a Christian community we model gospel values when dealing with all members of our school community and the general community of Tocumwal. As a staff we promote, through our religious education programmes, a knowledge of Catholic teachings and a celebration of the sacraments. We foster an environment which encourages Christian attitudes and behaviours towards others. As a staff we demonstrate care and support for all members of our learning community. The school community participates in regular liturgies and celebrations of prayer. At staff meetings we always spend a percentage of our time reading, reviewing or reflecting on a religious concept or the teachings of Jesus. Page - 7 -

Section 6: Curriculum Sacred Heart School follows the NSW Education Standards Authority, Teaching and Educational Standards, NSW syllabus for each subject/course offered as required for Registration and Accreditation under the Education Act 1990 (NSW) and implements the associated requirements of the Catholic Schools Office, Wagga Wagga. As a community of learners we promote the balance development of the whole student. Therefore we: Provide quality education through spiritual, academic, emotional, physical and social programmes that stimulate, challenge and support each child at their learning level. Promote opportunities that develop leadership, responsibility, acceptance, tolerance, confidence, cooperation, flexibility and self-esteem. Recognise the talents of all members of our learning community and that we are all life-long learners. Have a Pastoral Care Policy which encourages Christian attitudes and behaviour towards all of our school community. Provide quality teaching of the following key learning areas. Religion, English, Mathematics, Human Society and Its Environment, Science, Personal Development and Health and Physical Education, History, Geography, Languages and Creative and Practical Arts. As a school community of leading learning teachers we strive for personal excellence, equality of opportunity and justice for all students. Therefore we: Have staff meetings with professional dialogue, current research and professional readings to support us in being the most effective teachers possible. As a staff incorporate ideas into our school newsletter that affirm and/or challenge all parents and educators as we walk the learning journey together. Page - 8 -

Section 7: Student Performance in State- Wide Tests and Examinations The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN assessment results provide valuable information about student achievements in literacy and numeracy. An analysis of these results assists College planning and is used to support teaching and learning programs. Due to small student numbers in this cohort, and as such, the possibility of identifying individual student results, percentages of children achieving at certain band levels will not be reported. Literacy and Numeracy trends at Sacred Heart are very positive and are moving slowly towards average to above average levels. Page - 9 -

Section 8: Pastoral Care and Well Being Catch them being good At Sacred Heart School this will be our first line of approach. Both in the classroom and in the play-ground staff will be looking for children displaying good behaviour. The staff have set up a rewards plan, so there will be many opportunities for children to be thanked, congratulated and praised. A Positive Playground Player Award is chosen by the school Captains and presented each week at the school assembly. The child who receives this award can select an item from the Tuck shop free for that week. Discipline Policy Where student behaviour is inappropriate or unacceptable a discipline response may be considered necessary. The purpose of any correction should be reformative, directed towards altering attitude and subsequent behaviour. Any children who come into conflict with the standards of our school must be made aware that it is their actions and not the child that is unacceptable. At Sacred Heart corporal punishment is not used as a form of discipline. Anti-Bullying Policy We support The Diocese of Wagga Wagga Anti Bullying Policy which is implemented in all schools. At Sacred Heart School we support all students with care and respect and do our best to resolve all disagreements through a Restorative Practice Focus. As a school community we focus on the specific behaviours or incidents without blaming. We review who was affected and how they were affected. Finely as a school community we direct questions towards problem solving and what needs to happen to make things peaceful again so we can all move forward. Initiatives Promoting Respect and Responsibility Sacred Heart Primary School, Tocumwal as a community of learners acknowledge that Christ is the foundation of the whole educational enterprise in Catholic Schools. Sacred Heart Primary is a community of learners where children, staff and parents are witnesses to their faith and therefore respect the rights of all humans to work, learn and live in peace. As a school community we model gospel values, when dealing with others. We promote, through our religious education programmes, a knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings. As a community of faith based learners living in the community of Tocumwal we accept our responsibilities as active members of the community doing our best to treat all individuals with the respect they deserve. Sacred Heart encourages all students to self-discipline through a system of relationships, rules, rewards and sanctions. The students gradually develop as persons who are responsible and inner-directed, capable of choosing freely in conformity with their conscience. The attainment of self-discipline can be fostered by giving students a degree of responsibility, according to the situation. Where student behaviour is inappropriate or unacceptable a discipline response may be considered necessary. The purpose of any correction should be reformative, directed towards altering attitudes and subsequent behaviour. Any students who come into conflict with the standards and values of our school must be made aware that it is their actions and not the student that is unacceptable. Page - 10 -

Complaints and Grievances Resolution Policy The Diocese of Wagga Wagga has established a Complaints and Suggestions Policy which is implemented by all school in the Diocese. The implementation of this policy is monitored by the Catholic Schools Office. Workplace Health and Safety Each school is required to implement and comply with the Diocesan School System Workplace Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS). This system reflects the current statutory requirements for WHS and complies with the Australian Standard for WHS Management Systems. The WHSMS adopted by the CSO for Wagga Wagga Systemic Schools has been designed to address general health, safety and welfare matters and also to take account of specific issues that apply to school communities. The management system supports the provision of a safe and supportive environment for all students as well as taking into account the health, safety and welfare of staff, visitors and contractors to the school site. Principals, in consultation with the relevant CSO personnel, are responsible for monitoring the school s compliance with WHS legislation and to implement the management system in keeping with the Catholic Schools Office s Annual WHS Plan. External WHS system audits are conducted across a sample of schools each year to validate the implementation of the management system. Section 9: School Review and Improvement Each year the Sacred Heart Primary School develops Annual Improvement Plan indicating the intended key improvements for student learning outcomes. The Plan is drawn from the Catholic Schools Office Annual Improvement Plan. The Sacred Heart School engages in an annual evidence based evaluation of its effectiveness against The National School Improvement Tool, The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Professional Standards for Principals in collaboration with the School Consultant. Page - 11 -

Annual Improvement Plan 2016 Sacred Heart Primary School Tocumwal AIP 2016 Strategic Priority Area Catholic Life & Mission Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Student Learning & Pedagogy Improvement Targets What do you want to improve? RE Curriculum units to be added to School Web Site. Leading for Mission Integrating Life, Culture & Faith in Catholic Education. Wellbeing of students, staff and parents. Encourage positive relationships between all students in the school. Encourage and model speaking with respect to each other. Persuasive Writing Writing Targeting Math and the effective teaching of this subject. Key Improvement Strategies How are you going to improve? What actions are required to progress the improvement target? All teachers to have access to the RE units on our school Web Site. Teachers to be more informed about RE curriculum and the resources available. This will help the teacher s future planning and teaching. Principal to read the Book: Leading for Mission Continuing wellbeing staff meetings once a term. Restorative Practices/Emotional Intelligence groups run by the School Liaison Worker. Continue to scan and develop a hunch that writing with in our school needs to improve. Increase general teaching of vocabulary throughout the school. Working as a staff collaboratively with our Targeting Math teacher to improve effective teaching. Evidence of Improvement How can you demonstrate that an action is complete? What is the evidence or indicators of improvement? Improved instruction throughout the school in RE RE to lift its profile in the school. Evidence of students work will be available in all RE books from K-Yr6. The Principal to Lead a Staff Meeting about Leading for Mission as a Staff. A happy learning community willing to discuss issues in a positive way. Adults and students talking to each other with respect. Improved positive relationships throughout the school. More descriptive writing pieces throughout the school. Improvement in NAPLAN results over the long term. Improvements in all NAPLAN results for Math. Page - 12 -

Strategic Leadership & Partnerships The use of technology across the school and the curriculum. Embedding of ICT for all students. The Geography learning area. PD on netbooks PD on Chrome/Google PD on IPads PD on Geography Improvements in the use of netbooks by teachers/students. Teacher and Students planning on Google Docs. Sacred Heart Primary School Tocumwal AIP 2017 Strategic Priority Area Catholic Life & Mission Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Student Learning & Pedagogy Improvement Targets What do you want to improve? RE Curriculum units to be added to School Web Site. Leading for Mission Integrating Life, Culture & Faith in Catholic Education. Wellbeing of students, staff and parents. Encourage positive relationships between all students in the school. Encourage and model speaking with respect to each other. Persuasive Writing Writing Targeting Math and the effective teaching of this subject. Key Improvement Strategies How are you going to improve? What actions are required to progress the improvement target? All teachers to have access to the RE units on our school Web Site. Teachers to be more informed about RE curriculum and the resources available. This will help the teacher s future planning and teaching. Principal to read the Book: Leading for Mission Continuing wellbeing staff meetings once a term. Restorative Practices/Emotional Intelligence groups run by the School Liaison Worker to continue. Continue to scan and develop a hunch that writing with in our school needs to improve. Increase general teaching of vocabulary throughout the school. Working as a staff collaboratively with our Targeting Math teacher to improve effective teaching. Principal to read Visible Learning for Math. Evidence of Improvement How can you demonstrate that an action is complete? What is the evidence or indicators of improvement? Improved instruction throughout the school in RE RE to lift its profile in the school. Evidence of students work will be available in all RE books from K-Yr6. The Principal to Lead a Staff Meeting about Leading for Mission as a Staff. A happy learning community willing to discuss issues in a positive way. Adults and students talking to each other with respect. Improved positive relationships throughout the school. More descriptive writing pieces throughout the school. Improvement in NAPLAN results over the long term. Improvements in all NAPLAN results for Math. Page - 13 -

Teacher Satisfaction Highly Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied 3 3 0 Page - 15 -

Financial Report 0% 0% School Income 12% Fees & Private Income State Recurrent Grants 20% Commonwealth Recurrent Grants Government Capital Grants 68% Other Capital Income School Expenses 4% 24% Salaries, Allowances & Related Expenses Non Salary Expenses Other Capital Expenditure 71% Page - 16 -