Annual Reporting 2011

School Sector: Independent

School Name: Blackall Range Independent School

Postal Address: 551 Mapleton Rd, Kureelpa QLD 4560

Email: [email protected]

School website: www. brischool.com.au

Phone: (07) 5441 5227 Fax: (07)

Introduction:

Blackall Range Independent School has been operating in the Sunshine Cost Hinterland for over 45 years. In this time a broad range of alternative education philosophies have been employed to provide unique and individualised educational outcomes to the unique and individual students who have attended this school.

2011 saw the finalisation of the Building the Education Revolution Project and the Digital Education Revolution project. Both of these projects have enabled the School to build infrastructure that will enable us to continue to deliver exciting educational outcomes into the 21st century.

School Profile:

Co-educational

Year Levels Offered: Prep to Year 12

Total Student Enrolments for this school

Total Enrolment: 62 Girls: 32 Boys: 30

Characteristics of the Student Body:

Blackall Range Independent School attracts students from the entire , from to Eumundi and across the Hinterland Range. The school’s enrolment includes 11% indigenous students and 8% students with disabilities. Our School Ethos of “Care for Self, Care for Others and Care for Environment” is apparent in the acceptance of diversity and celebration of each unique individual.

Our distinctive curriculum offerings:

Being a small school, Blackall Range Independent School has always had to “think outside the box” to ensure students are provided a breadth and depth of learning opportunities.

2011 saw the introduction of Friday workshops. This was a program whereby specialised instructors were invited to run small group workshops enabling students to explore and develop talents and abilities. This culminated in a celebratory community evening at the end of the year where students were encouraged to participate in a showcase of their talents for invited family members and community guests.

The Principal and Staff began the transition to the Australian Curriculum and this was supported through Professional Development opportunities.

Extra curricula activities:

Academic – Camps (Whole school), Reading Eggs, School Council, 1 in 1 million women program, Mathletics, Sunshine Coast University Open Day Excursion

Cultural – Art classes, Dance classes, Music classes, Volunteers Gratitude Lunch

Sporting – Term 4 Swimming Program, Coles Sports for Schools program

How Information and Communication Technologies are used to assist learning:

Digital Education Revolution Funding has significantly increased the ability for technology to enhance the learning outcomes for the students of Blackall Range Independent School. The funding has been utilised to ensure we have an IT infrastructure that provides a dynamic tool for our teachers in their quest to deliver education across a variety of mediums. Our students also gain exposure to technology across a broad range of applications.

Social climate inclusive of pastoral care and our response to bullying:

Blackall Range Independent School has a proud tradition of encouraging and welcoming, not only family members, but also the broader community to participate in our school. Our 2011 School Executive Committee, who membership is two-thirds parent members, one-third interested community members, reflects this. The sense of community this brings to the school provides invaluable social-emotional well being to our whole school.

We are also proud supporters of the National Chaplaincy Program. All year levels benefit from the programs run by our dedicated Chaplain and provide our students with vital opportunities to explore key topics such as happiness and self-esteem. The emphasis on positive social relationships aims to reduce bullying. As a small school, with multi-age classrooms, values such as co-operation, respect, consideration and helpfulness are promoted as a reality of daily classroom life.

Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school:

There are a variety of avenues, both formal and informal, through which all members of the school community are engaged.

A newsletter is generated weekly, with input from Teachers, Principal, Chaplain and the Executive Committee and emailed to the parent body.

Membership of our Executive Committee is predominantly parents. Parent Community Meetings are held once each Term and provide a Forum in which parent can raise any areas of concern. Depending on the level of concern, matters can be responded to immediately or addressed as needed. The Parent Community Meetings promote transparency and build positive relationships.

Students are provided a means of consultation and engagements through their Student Council.

Parent involvement in their child’s education:

Parent involvement is always encouraged and welcomed. The positive effect of parental involvement on the school environment is acknowledged. The school is well supported by the parent community demonstrated through regular working bees, a volunteer run library and the continual provision of the Scholastic Book Club. Parents are invited to be ‘helpers’ on school excursions, small group reading and through fundraising efforts.

Staff Profile:

Workforce Composition Teaching Staff Non-teaching Staff Headcounts 6 8 Fulltime Equivalent 4.9 4.4 Indigenous 1 0

Qualifications of all teachers

Highest Level of Attainment Proportion of Classroom Teachers and leaders at the school attaining this level Doctorate Masters Post Graduate Diploma Bachelors Degree 5 Diploma 1 Certificate

Expenditure on and Teacher Participation in Professional Learning

The total funds expended on teacher professional learning in 2011 was $506.55. This minimal expenditure is not reflective of our commitment to, and recognised value of, teacher professional development. As a member of Independent Schools we are able to access and broad range of professional development activities and pursued these options.

The major professional development initiatives were in the areas of: First Aid, Evacuation and Emergency Procedures and Workplace Health and Safety, Literacy Coaching, Child Protection, Learning Needs and Chaplaincy.

Average Staff Attendance Rate:

The staff attendance rate was 93% in 2011.

Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year:

From the end of the 201 school year 100% of staff were retained by the school for the 2011 year.

Key Student Outcomes:

Whole School Attendance Rate was

Policy and practice to manage student attendance:

Individual student attendance is monitored by classroom teachers primarily. Should concerns arise, there is a process of communication and consultation with parents/families and, if necessary, the Principal.

Student Achievement – NAPLAN for Years 3, 5 and 7.

Domain Measures Yr 3 Yr 5 Yr 7 Reading Average score for the school in N/A N/A 474 2011 Average score for in N/A N/A 540 2011 % students 2011 N/A N/A 0 above the national benchmark Writing Average score for the school in N/A N/A 441 2011 Average score for Australia in N/A N/A 529 2011 % students 2011 N/A N/A 0 above the national benchmark Spelling Average score for the school in N/A N/A 463 2011 Average score for Australia in N/A N/A 538 2011 % students 2011 N/A N/A 0 above the national benchmark Grammar and Average score for the school in N/A N/A 437 Punctuation 2011 Average score for Australia in N/A N/A 532 2011 % students 2011 N/A N/A 0 above the national benchmark Numeracy Average score for the school in N/A N/A 437 2011 Average score for Australia in N/A N/A 545 2011 % students 2011 N/A N/A 0 above the national benchmark