Vincent Massey High School

Carman Collegiate PRSD Board and Community Annual School Development Report June 2016

Principal’s Reflection of Past Year

The 2015 – 2016 school year saw us continue to implement school goals that have been developed from research conducted on Resiliency, The Circle of Courage, and Self-Worth. These areas have determined four universal growth needs of all children. The four growth needs, depending on the research area, may have different names, but the nature of the growth needs is consistent. The four areas adopted by Carman Collegiate include a combination of these research areas. They are achievement, altruism, belonging, and independence. These goals have allowed us to develop plans that have helped us become more inclusive of our diverse population needs.

The successful implementation of our new timetable increased contact time with students by 14%. This increase resulted in an increase in our attendance rate, and an increase in our overall pass rate in the courses we deliver. Our staff continue to work hard with community groups, especially in offering our facility to community user groups. Theatre productions which require our student lighting and sound technicians continue to impress. Our gym and track are consistently used as we host many events that require our staff and students to exercise their expertise in order for the events to be successful.

2015 -2016 School Development Goals and Progress

Systemic Goal #1 - Achievement – the motivation to work hard and attain excellence. Students will have a sense of competence; individuals will believe they can solve problems. Students will have the opportunity to solve problems and meet goals.

Specific accomplishments were as follows for 2015 – 2016:  Provincial Standard Exam results show that Carman Collegiate students achieve at or above the provincial mean, and our pass rate is above the provincial mean in all courses.  Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey results from students show that learning behaviors have improved among our students over the last three years.  Student portfolios that are required from all grade 9 to 12 students outline their academic strengths. This year saw over 90% of our students hand in their portfolios by the designated due date, a major increase from previous years.  Google Apps for Education (GAfE) was actively investigated at school professional learning times, with pilot projects in the work for the following year.  Agroecology Day (grade 10) and Bio Health Day (grade 11) events continue to be successful for both involving community and for student engagement.  Grade 10 students took part in a pilot project with agriculture in the classroom- a competition against three other school. One of our teams won $500 to implement their idea next fall to promote agricultural jobs.  The major science lab renovation was completed in January 2016. New science equipment was purchased to enhance our teaching of agriculture principles and sustainability.

1  A Federal followed by a Provincial Election gave our students the opportunity to share their voice by taking part in national and provincial student elections.

Systemic Goal #2 – Altruism – the motivation to help and be of service to others. Students will have a sense of virtue; individuals will believe that their life has purpose. Students will have the opportunity to show respect and concern.

Specific accomplishments were as follows for 2015 – 2016:  Student involvement in different sustainable development projects. The Climate Change Forum attended by students resulted in our students forming “take action” projects in our school to minimize our footprint on the planet. Promoting recycling and developing an outdoor garden area were two such projects.  Our students actively participated in Cheer Board distribution, Young Blood for Life volunteering, assisting with Habitat for Humanity building projects, and our fifteenth year of Terry Fox fundraising runs.  Grade 11 and 12 mandatory Physical Education volunteer hours surpass the minimum required amount by over 500 hours.  Carman Collegiate Philanthropy Group held several successful family movie nights, raising funds that were then distributed to local charitable organizations in association of the Carman Area Foundation.

Systemic Goal #3 – Belonging – the opportunity to establish trusting connections. Students will have a sense of significance, and the individual believes “I am appreciated.” Students will have a motivation to affiliate and form social bonds.

Specific accomplishments for 2015 – 2016 were as follows:  TTFM survey information indicated a increased level of participation in extra-curricular activities for our grade 7 and 8 students. Clubs geared for younger students such as Strum Club, Sketch Club, Yearbook, Radio, Animation and Writer’s Club gave our students options outside of the sporting domain to become involved.  Students have opportunity to ref games, coach teams, or volunteer at events (scorekeeping, etc) which increase their sense of belonging and involvement in our school.  Our students captured Zone IV banners in Cross Country Running, Volleyball, Baske tball, Badminton, and Track and Field.

2  Set up information booths at the Arts Appreciation Evening in June highlighting all the different opportunities available to students in our school.  Hosting a series of ceremonies that recognize our student’s accomplishments. June celebrations start with the Arts Appreciation Evening, followed by the Athletic Banquet, Graduation 2016, and grade 7 and 8 Awards day. The grade 9 to 11 Awards Ceremony takes place in September at the same time as our Open House.

Systemic Goal #4 – Independence – the opportunity to build self-control and responsibility. Students will have a sense of power; individuals will believe they can set their life pathway. Students will have the motivation to manage self and exert influence.

Specific accomplishments were as follows for 2015 – 2016:  Offered the Career Development provincial courses at the grade 9 and 10 level, mandatory for all grade 9 students, and optional for grade 10 students.  Continued implementation of the Carman Collegiate Main Street Campus, allowing non- traditional learners the opportunity to have academic success in a less restrictive environment.  Student opportunities given in different presentation formats: Gwynne Dyer presentation on the Rise of ISIS, Live Differently motivational group, Agroecology day for grade 10 students, Biology Health Experience Day for grade 11 students, Career Symposium for grade 10 students, University Fair for grade 11 and 12 students, U of M “Next Steps” presentations.  Student leadership in the area of Altruism. The Youth for Philanthropy (YIP) group maintain their partnership with the Carman Area Foundation and the Thomas Sill Foundation. The Family Movie nights continue to be popular in our community and is the main source of income for the YIP group, and this year the YIP group granted out $4000 to different local groups.

Main Areas of Focus in School Development – 2016-2017

Systemic Goal #1 – Achievement – the motivation to work hard and attain excellence. Students will have a sense of competence; individuals will believe they can solve problems. Students will have the opportunity to solve problems and meet goals.

Specific actions for 2016 – 2017 will be as follows:  At the grade 7 and 8 level, all students will be scheduled into Guided Groups for Literacy and Numeracy support. This process will place students into needs area groups for either additional support in specific areas, or enrichment to enhance learning in literacy and numeracy. Student mentors will be introduced into the schedule to assist with the Guided Groups.  The addition of EAL learners to our school brings on new responsibilities. We will purchase licenses from Rosetta Stone to give our EAL learners online access to the programs from anywhere. This will enhance the in class instruction they currently receive.  Math delivered at our Main Street Campus will continue to support Trade and Workplace Math principles, delivering employability skills to these students.

3 Systemic Goal #2 – Altruism – the motivation to help and be of service to others. Students will have a sense of virtue; individuals will believe that their life has purpose. Students will have the opportunity to show respect and concern.

Specific actions for 2016 – 2017 will be are as follows:  Overt teaching of the concept of altruism, and developing a sense in our students that altruism is not just volunteering, but also developing a strong sense of kindness in their daily interactions.  Continue to promote Youth in Philanthropy and other service groups, encouraging more students to become involved.

Systemic Goal #3 – Belonging – the opportunity to establish trusting connections. Students will have a sense of significance, and the individual believes “I am appreciated.” Students will have a motivation to affiliate and form social bonds.

Specific actions for 2016 – 2017 will be as follows:  All grade 9 to 12 students will have the advisor block of time built into their timetable, allowing for more advisor meetings with teachers and with students.  With all grade 9 to 12 students having the advisor time will also permit more opportunities for senior year’s students to connect with their teachers for tutorial assistance, to meet regarding school clubs, and to connect at regular intervals regarding student portfolios.  Carman Collegiate Gymnasium will get a major overhaul, with new paint, bleachers, lights, updates to the basketball hoop systems, and the logo updated.

Systemic Goal #4 – Independence – the opportunity to build self-control and responsibility. Students will have a sense of power; individuals will believe they can set their life pathway. Students will have the motivation to manage self and exert influence.

Specific actions for 2016 – 2017 will be as follows:  Develop a comprehensive Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plan. This will be initiated by having a professional development session (September 6, 2016) on ESD with Anne MacDiarmid from the Department of Education facilitating.  Continue to offer the learning opportunities that our teachers and students have developed over the last six years (i.e. Agroecology, Envirothon, Animation, etc.).  Continue to develop the advisory period in the schedule to allow for students to gather in order to offer peer tutoring, to be involved in various school clubs, to meet with teachers, and to take part in leading Guided Groups at the grade 7 and 8 levels.