Principal S Message s8

This year the Black Springs P&C has had great Messages success in trialling some new fundraising ideas. Principal’s message We greatly appreciated the opportunity of Black Springs Public School is located in the catering for a car rally that took place in May. small village of Black Springs. It had 21 This will now be an annual event, and we children enrolled at the end of 2011 from hope to see it grow bigger each year. We both the village and the surrounding district. also took advantage of our new BBQ, which Black Springs Public School is a friendly and was kindly donated to us by Bunnings supportive school that develops the skills, Warehouse, with a couple of sausage sizzles - knowledge and values that students need to the major one being held at the Oberon lead productive and rewarding lives. The Christmas Street Party. children learn in a safe, caring, stimulating, The P&C also organized a disco which was individualized, challenging and picturesque profitable as well as being thoroughly environment and are encouraged to reach enjoyed by our children. their full potential. Quality academic programs, excellent facilities, abundant Great thanks go to Katie Maher who donated resources and professional, dynamic, caring gifts for a Christmas toy raffle run by the and highly dedicated staff offer the students P&C. We also held smaller raffles throughout the very best opportunities for success. Black the year. Springs Public School prides itself on The profits from all our fundraising went delivering outstanding educational programs. toward helping with the cost of the major The school has a well supported Parents and school excursion to Narrabeen, as well as Citizens Association with a highly developed providing other educational benefits for our sense of collaborative spirit. Black Springs children. Public School is well resourced in all The P&C extends a big thank you and much curriculum areas and additional curricular appreciation to the Black Springs Progress activities are offered to all students. The Association for the funding of the swim school is well equipped with the latest of school once again this year. technologies that prepare every student for the future and the use of computers occurs A final special thank you is also extended to across all key learning areas. all our teachers, members of the community and the families of Black Springs Public The school’s focus on anti bullying and peer School for your continuous support of our support, through the Alannah and Madeline school. Foundation’s Better Buddies Program, has been very successful and will be maintained Katie Paahi – P&C President in 2012. I certify that the information in this report is Student representative’s message the result of a rigorous school self-evaluation In 2011 the Student Representative Council process and is a balanced and genuine (SRC) ran, with the assistance of staff, account of the school’s achievements and Monday lunches. The SRC also ran the Milo areas for development. program throughout the year. The Easter egg Karolyn Blackburn - Principal hunt, hat parade and sausage sizzle was again a huge success raising funds for our P & C message World Vision sponsor child. We organised St Patrick’s Day, Earth Hour, NAIDOC Week and Better Buddies events and celebrations. Year

2 five and six students participated in leadership training. Sian Evans SRC President

Student attendance profile School context Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Student information 100. K 0 97.5 96.2 It is a requirement that the reporting of 1 98.9 96.5 94.9 information for all students must be Sc 2 91.3 93.1 92.4 consistent with privacy and personal ho 3 96.8 95.8 94.6 information policies. ol 4 89.5 95.2 96.1 Student enrolment profile 5 98.4 91.0 95.7 Gende 6 96.8 95.2 92.9 r 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total 95.0 96.2 95.2 95.1 Male 11 8 6 11 12 K 92.6 92.6 92.5 Femal 1 92.1 92.3 91.9 e 16 9 5 8 8 2 92.3 92.3 92.5 Re 3 92.2 92.4 92.3 gio 4 92.4 92.4 92.3 n Enrolment figures have been maintained 5 92.3 92.4 92.2 from 2010 to 2011. Two students will be 6 92.2 92.2 92.0 entering high school and possibly three will Total 92.2 89.9 92.4 92.2 enrol in kindergarten for 2012. K 94.3 94.7 94.7 1 93.7 94.2 94.2 Sta 2 94.0 94.4 94.2 te 3 94.1 94.5 94.4 DE 4 94.0 94.5 94.3 C 5 94.0 94.4 94.2 6 93.6 94.0 93.8 Total 94.1 92.1 94.4 94.3

3 It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all staff must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies. Staff establishment Position Number Principal 1 Part-time Teachers 0.084 Management of non-attendance Teacher Librarian 0.084 Black Springs Public School is supported by Teacher RFF 0.042 the Home School Liaison Officer who assists General Assistant 0.17 with identifying students with high School Administrative & Support 0.896 absenteeism. Parents are made aware of Total 1.006 their responsibilities to ensure their children The National Education Agreement requires attend school through regular schools to report on Indigenous composition communication including notices in the of their workforce. school newsletter, P & C meetings and telephone calls. Students are required to Black Springs Public School does not currently supply a written and signed explanation have staff of an indigenous composition following any absence. within its workforce. Class sizes Staff retention Primary class sizes are included in the annual There was no change in staffing between the school report in order to provide parents 2010 and 2011 school years. with as much local information as possible. Teacher qualifications The following table shows our class sizes as All teaching staff meet the professional reported at the 2011 Class Size Audit requirements for teaching in NSW public conducted on Monday 21 March 2011. schools. Roll class Year Total per year Total In class Qualifications % of staff Degree or Diploma 100 K-6 K 4 18 Postgraduate 0 K-6 1 3 18 K-6 2 2 18 Financial summary K-6 3 1 18 K-6 4 5 18 This summary covers funds for operating K-6 5 1 18 costs and does not involve expenditure areas K-6 6 2 18 such as permanent salaries, building and major maintenance. Structure of classes Date of financial summary 30/11/2011 Students at Black Springs Public School are Income $ taught in one multi-stage class. The class is Balance brought forward 49798.74 made up of students in Early Stage 1 Global funds 41739.98 (Kindergarten), Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)), Tied funds 64104.14 School & community sources 13170.59 Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) and Stage 3 (Years 5 Interest 2015.88 and 6). Trust receipts 757.40 Canteen 0.00 Staff information Total income 171,586. Expenditure 73

4 Teaching & learning percussion sections at the Bathurst Key learning areas 15369.23 Eisteddfod. Excursions 5296.08 Extracurricular dissections 6380.20 Library 300.49 Training & development 3670.52 Tied funds 25984.39 Casual relief teachers 987.82 Administration & office 35465.44 School-operated canteen 0.00 Utilities 6873.91 Maintenance 5337.47 Trust accounts 2128.26 Capital programs 0.00 Five students achieved place awards in the Total expenditure 107,793. Bathurst Show Junior Scrapbooking section. Balance carried forward 63792.9281

A full copy of the school’s 2011 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meeting of the parent body. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.

School performance 2011 Three students were selected to compete in the Premier’s Spelling Bee at the regional Achievements level. Arts All students participated in a pottery Black Springs Public School offers a range of workshop to make plaques for National Tree Arts activities. Day and a climate change art workshop. Music highlights of the year included: The students were all involved in specialist art and poetry lessons provide by a local bush  K-6 performance of a major musical poet and artist. production called ‘The Selfish Giant’ for presentation night at the end of the Sport year; The students had a very successful year  Attendance at Musica Viva competing in a variety of sports. The students performances; joined with students from the Bathurst Small Schools Association to compete in a variety  K-6 choir performance at local high of winter and summer sports. Students are school Education Week assembly; encouraged to participate in inter school and  Weekly music lessons, with a specialist Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) music teacher, learning keyboard, opportunities. drums, guitar and percussion; and Significant individual performances included:  Achieving 1st place for Small School’s  Alicia Maclure who competed at District percussion, 2nd place for Small School’s Cross Country and Meka Paahi who choir, highly commended for Small competed at District Athletics level this School’s verse speaking and infants year; and

5  Our other sporting stars included outcomes across all Key Learning Areas. Madison Pincott and Jessica Maclure, Apart from the learning stimulus the who competed in the Bathurst Small opportunities for social interaction and Schools netball team. leadership were invaluable. The students Students participate in daily fitness, the from Black Springs Public School joined with Premier’s Sporting Challenge, in which they the students in Stages 2 and 3 from other achieved ‘gold’ level, and the Sports schools in the Bathurst Small Schools Commission sponsored Active After School’s Association. program with an aim to increase an appreciation of the need for regular healthy The camps and excursions in 2011 were: activity but to also provide skill development. The Active After Schools program was held  Student leadership conference; two afternoons a week and provided the  Small Schools Athletics Carnival; students with a healthy afternoon tea and sixty minutes of tennis, golf and dance  Musica Viva; activities.  Health Havoc performance by final year The school maintained its commitment to Charles Sturt University drama students; providing swimming lessons for all students  My Gandma Lives in Gooligulch Show; at the Oberon Pool.  High School Transition Days;  Eisteddfod performance;  Swimming Carnival;  Pet Ownership workshop;  Oberon Library reading sessions;  Book Week celebrations;  Telstra Beach to Bush;

 Stage 2 camp to Dubbo; Other  Stage 3 camp to Broken Bay; Two students represented Black Springs Public School at the Country Women’s Public  Gala Sports days; Speaking Competition.  Swimming Lessons; and Year 6 students participated in the i-learn  Kindergarten to Year six visited program at Denison College – Kelso High Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre Campus. The transition program offered Year for three days and two nights in term 4. 6 the opportunity to spend five days at Kelso in preparation for their secondary education. The school held two special scripture services throughout the year. One for Easter and one for Christmas.

Visitors, Camps and Excursions

The students went on a number of excursions which supported the achievement of learning

6 Progress in literacy and numeracy Schools with larger enrolment intakes are able to display average growths between Years 3 and 5. Due to the small cohorts in Years 3 and 5 Black Springs Public School is unable to report on this information. Minimum standards The Commonwealth Government sets minimum standards for reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The performance of the students in our school in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy is compared to these minimum standards. The percentages of our students achieving at or above these standards are reported below. When interpreting the information keep in mind that they are small cohorts.

Academic Percentage of Year 3 students achieving at or above minimum standard (exempt students In the National Assessment Program, the included) results across the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 literacy Reading 100.0 and numeracy assessments are reported on a Writing 100.0 scale from Band 1 to Band 10. Spelling 100.0 The achievement scale represents increasing Grammar & Punctuation 100.0 levels of skills and understandings Numeracy 100.0 demonstrated in these assessments. Yr 3: from Band 1 (lowest) to Band 6 (highest for Year 3) Percentage of Year 5 students achieving at or above minimum standard (exempt students Yr 5: from Band 3 (lowest) to Band 8 (highest included) for Year 5) Reading 100.0 The small cohort of students does not allow Writing 100.0 discussion or comparison of results due to Spelling 100.0 reporting protocols that could identify Grammar & Punctuation 100.0 students. Numeracy 100.0 However an analysis of results has enabled individual programs of support for students and also set some further direction for school planning and staff professional learning. All students demonstrate improved outcomes. The school follows the Western NSW Region Assessment Framework to ascertain student Significant programs and initiatives improvement over the year.

7 Aboriginal education We have one indigenous student currently In 2011 aspects of multiculturalism were enrolled in our school. explored through our music program, HSIE The students learned about aspects of and technology. Students studied cultural Aboriginal culture, traditions and history in a aspects and the traditional music of Ireland in variety of units of work studied in the Human connection with Musica Viva. Society and Its Environment syllabus area. All students completed projects on Iceland The significance of NAIDOC week was used for the Country Women’s Association as an opportunity for discussion, activities competition. One student was awarded a and research. prize for their project. One staff member is trained to be the Anti- Racism Contact Officer. Environmental Education The school uses produce from the vegetable garden to cook a variety of recipes. This garden is maintained by the students and community volunteers.

Black Springs Public School acknowledges the traditional owners of the land that the school is located on – the Wiradjuri people. Students implemented the ‘Welcome to Country’ into their presentation night and important public occasions. Personalised learning plans were developed and target areas were identified by teachers, students and parents. The Black Springs Public School teaching and learning activities support the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012. Other programs Multicultural education Respect and Responsibility In 2011 teaching and learning programs The positive promotion of values and focused on developing students’ reinforcement of school rules are paramount understanding of cultural, linguistic and at Black Springs Public School reflecting the religious differences. The importance of school motto of Truth Honour Beauty. valuing and respecting other cultures is Student leadership is encouraged and continually reinforced in learning and social opportunities continually provided at school interaction. Black Springs Public School and through participation on regional implements programs and initiatives to networks. Senior students attended a ensure an inclusive school community and a leadership conference in Bathurst with other racism-free learning and working local schools. Year five hosted the end of environment.

8 primary school graduation for three year six Mathletics program was used to support students, parents and teachers. numeracy programs across the whole school. Senior students took on a range of Skwirk was also introduced to support the responsibilities which included leading the delivery of Human Society and Its fitness program, assemblies, fundraising, Environment and Science and Technology. ANZAC ceremony, presentation night and Interactive whiteboards can be found in both working as buddies and peer reading tutors. classrooms and the library. The success of the whole school excursion to Narrabeen was in part due to the maturity, responsibility and leadership of senior students. Progress on 2011 targets All students participated in the Schools Earth Target 1 Hour, Schools Clean Up Day, National Tree Increase student average scaled growth in Day and making Christmas cards for the text type writing to a level comparable to or nursing home residents in Oberon. The SRC above the state for NAPLAN in 2011; operated canteen arranged sponsorship of a World Vision child and organised an Anti All students are to achieve expected growth Poverty lunch for the students. The school in spelling based on NAPLAN results in 2011; reward system acknowledges improvement, All K-2 students to achieve regional reading achievement and positive contributions. recovery levels in 2011; and All students will improve spelling results by at least one year, from 2010 using SA spelling test in 2011. Our achievements include:  Teachers have accessed NAPLAN data to inform teaching practice;  Teachers have used ‘Reading to Learn’ strategies to enhance writing outcomes;  Students participated in the Premier’s Connected Learning Spelling Bee;

In 2011 Black Springs Public School expanded its  Purchasing additional writing resources; outstanding technology program by introducing  Targeted groups showed growth at least students to virtual classroom opportunities. commensurate with state minimum; These proved to provide students with very engaging educational experiences.  Classroom practice demonstrates teacher quality and benchmarks Our senior students accessed a narrative embedded in programs and delivery; writing course with the author Paul Stafford hosted by the Dinosaur and Fossil Museum.  Literacy assessments in place and in-class During the course students connected with term and semester assessments indicate schools from around the central west to growth for every student; share their writing ideas.  Reading Recovery benchmark data Literacy programs continued to be supported indicates at least minimum growth for by our Reading Eggs, Denison College Moodle identified students; and Bug Club technology programs and the

9  Staff professional learning in MULTILIT usually planned for major resource purchases Reading Tutor program; and and spent funds appropriately. The majority were of the opinion that the school’s  Utilisation of the Western Region planning processes are in response to Assessment Framework. emerging needs and the school regularly Target 2 evaluates what it does and makes suitable All NAPLAN results to show all students changes. achieve expected growth in numeracy in Future directions 2011. The school management plan is presented to Our achievements include: the school community at the term one P&C  Teachers have accessed NAPLAN data to Meeting. Planning over the next three years inform teaching practice; will continue to target emerging needs that may be presented through NAPLAN data or  Numeracy assessments in place and in- school focus areas. class term and semester assessments indicate growth for every student; Curriculum Background  Targeted groups showed growth at least commensurate with state minimum; All students, parents and staff were surveyed as part of an evaluation of writing,  A growth of at least 80 points in the year particularly spelling. 5 NAPLAN; Findings and conclusions  No students placed in the bottom 2 bands; and  Students enjoy the schools’ writing programs;  Staff professional learning in Maths Matters.  Most students believed they had developed new skills and confidence in Key evaluations writing; It is a requirement for all NSW public schools  All teachers agreed or strongly agreed to conduct at least two annual evaluations – that their students have improved their one related to educational and management knowledge and skills in writing; practice and the other related to curriculum.  All students felt that their teacher tells In 2011 our school carried out evaluations of them what is expected in spelling and school planning and writing, particularly felt they received extra help when spelling. required; Educational and management practice  All teachers agreed or strongly agreed Background that their students enjoyed participating Parents and staff were surveyed as part of an in writing lessons; evaluation of Planning in the school.  All teachers said that they were aware of Findings and conclusions the school’s writing programs and felt they had adequate resources to teach The staff and majority of parents who the course; returned the survey on school planning believed that the school mostly completed  Students are familiar with the school planning documents with the support of writing programs and understand how staff, students and parents. Most staff and they work; parents surveyed stated that the school

10  The school is implementing quality  The fortnightly newsletter is thorough programs with a focus on improving and informative; and students’ writing; and  There is a good ratio of students to  Not many parents stated that they had a computers. good understanding of the details of the writing programs and were keen to Professional learning understand more. Black Springs Public School’s major priorities Future directions and strategies for teacher professional learning is detailed in the professional  Provide parents with more information learning component of the 2011 School Plan. on the schools’ writing programs and In 2011 all permanent teachers, SLSO, GA and how they are taught in school on a day SAM participated in professional learning to day basis; activities. Participating staff are asked to  Purchase the Writing Rescue resource report to colleagues following a course to for 2012; develop skills and understandings in all staff.  A scope and sequence of text types The P&C meetings are used as a forum for needs to be remapped to ensure disseminating school policy, new initiatives learning opportunities are maximised. and departmental priority areas.

Parent, student, and teacher During the year staff joined other schools in combined school development days, satisfaction undertook mandatory student support In 2011 the school sought the opinions of programs and participated in programs to parents, students and teachers about the further develop teaching skills in literacy, school. numeracy and technology. Their responses are presented below. The programs included:  Kindergarten transition is a valued  MULTILIT reading tutor training; program;  Early Years Learning Framework;  Black Springs Public School is a well  ‘Leadership in Motion’ conference; looked after and resourced school;  School Swimming scheme escort teacher  It is a welcoming school; workshop;  The school’s main focus is the students;  Bathurst SEG School Planning Process;  Better Buddies is an effective welfare  Western Region Principal’s Conference – program; Our Region by Design;  Student achievements are recognised  Child Protection and Keep them Safe; through the award system;  Emergency Care and CPR;  The school provides challenging programs for the students;  Small schools network meetings; and  Literacy and numeracy are at the core of  School maintenance agreement. what we do; There has been no New Scheme Teachers  A good selection of extracurricular working towards accreditation at Black programs are offered; Springs Public School in 2011.

11 There has been no New Scheme Teachers  Increase the proportion of Year 3 maintaining accreditation at Professional students achieving at or above the Competence Level in 2011. minimum standard in literacy with a Teacher professional learning funds were focus on writing and spelling; and used for the purchase of relevant resources,  Assess all students prior to school for registration costs for course attendance and Kindergarten readiness using anecdotal provision of casual relief. data. In accordance with our school planning for Strategies to achieve these targets include: 2012, professional learning funding will be  Teachers undertake training in the use of utilised for ongoing training in literacy, data (including SMART and Best Start) to numeracy and quality teaching and inform planning for teaching and curriculum. learning;

 Best start assessment of all kindergarten School planning 2012—2014 students during week 3 term 1;  Continued implementation of the Early The school planning policy provides direction literacy continuum and the Early learning for the preparation and implementation of plan in literacy; school plans including the identification of priority areas, intended outcomes and  Provide ongoing training in R2L – R2L the targets that are consistent with the NSW next step; State Plan and the Department’s planning  Structure of reading groups for infants documents. students to be reviewed twice per term to allow students to move according to School priority 1: Literacy RR level; Outcome for 2012–2014  Literacy timetabled for all stages at the Improve literacy outcomes for students same time to allow for acceleration & focusing on explicit teaching within a remediation; balanced (modelled, guided, independent)  Weekly practice in questions/tasks from well resourced literacy program. NAPLAN tests; 2012 Targets to achieve this outcome  Include staff and learning community include: meeting time to allow for increased  Increase the number of students collaborative planning, building of CTJ, demonstrating stage outcomes in programming support and sharing or literacy (as addressed in the T/L resources and assessment strategies; programs) with a focus on writing and  Implement parent workshop/s on spelling; MULTILIT and how to support children at  Increase the proportion of Year 5 home; students meeting expected growth in  Implement reload training for trained literacy with a focus on writing and tutors/coordinator; spelling;  Implement MULTILIT to targeted  Increase the proportion of K-2 students students with support from parents and achieving the regional reading the SLSO; and benchmark;  Ensure all Aboriginal students and students at risk have a PLP which is

12 developed with parents and/or  Teachers undertake training in the use of caregivers and are updated at least once data (including SMART and Best Start) to a term. inform planning for teaching and learning;  Best start assessment of all kindergarten School priority 2: Numeracy students during week 3 term 1;  Continued implementation of the Early Outcome for 2012–2014 numeracy continuum and the Early  Increased levels of overall numeracy learning plan in numeracy; achievements for all students;  Provide parent/carer workshops in  Improved individual student mathematics to support understanding performance in Maths K-6; of expected outcomes for students and  Teachers have enhanced skills in the use how to support students at home in of data to inform programming and mathematics; planning for the teaching of numeracy;  Weekly practice in questions/tasks from  Teachers have developed enhanced skills NAPLAN tests; in the teaching of numeracy; and  Staff attend ongoing Maths Matters PL  Utilisation of school and system based with learning community; assessments.  Ensure all Aboriginal students and 2012 Targets to achieve this outcome students at risk have a PLP which is include: developed with parents and/or caregivers and are updated at least once  Increase the number of students a term; demonstrating stage outcomes in numeracy (as addressed in the T/L  Include staff and learning community programs); meeting time to allow for increased collaborative planning, building of CTJ,  Increase the proportion of Year 5 programming support and sharing of students meeting expected growth in resources and assessment strategies; numeracy; and  Increase the proportion of Year 3  Teachers develop professional learning students achieving at or above the plans with a focus on numeracy minimum standard in numeracy; curriculum, pedagogy and student and  Improve tracking of student progress in teacher feedback. numeracy;  Assess all students prior to school for Kindergarten readiness using anecdotal School priority 3: Quality Teaching data; and Curriculum  Increase the proportion of Kindergarten Outcome for 2012–2014 students achieving perceptual level; and  Increased level of staff competency in  Increase the proportion of students in use of available information and Year 2 achieving the facile level. communication technologies (ICT) and in Strategies to achieve these targets include: integrating the use of technology into quality teaching;

13  Expanded curriculum options for all  Development of a strategic and students through information and systematic K-6 assessment program and communication technologies; student tracking process;  Focused professional learning  Workshops conducted for staff on opportunities for all staff to strengthen continuum; capacity to improve student learning  Emailing of all school communication eg outcomes and engagement; and school bulletin/calendar, P&C minutes,  Preschool students involved in transition newsletter; to school program for Kindergarten.  Develop learning community lessons for 2012 Targets to achieve this outcome the IWB, VC and connected classroom; include:  Ongoing PL for staff in Early Years  Improve assessment program and Framework and Kindergarten Transition tracking of student progress in ICT; program;  Develop connected learning scope and  Support literacy program at playgroup to sequence; expose preschool children to quality text  To promote student engagement and involve parents with the opportunity through the use of technology; to have conversations around literacy; and  All students utilising technology in all  KLA’s; Implement high quality transition programs to support students and their  All students’ work samples show families throughout schooling. evidence of learning through virtual excursions; and Strategies to achieve these targets include:  All staff complete CLAS surveys to map personal skill sets in technology usage and in technology-based pedagogy;  Provide staff professional learning and About this report student/parent workshops through Connected Learning Coach to develop In preparing this report, the self-evaluation access and capacity to use ICT; committee has gathered information from evaluations conducted during the year and  Connected Learning Coach to plan analysed other information about the individual in-school professional learning school's practices and student learning and work in class; outcomes. The self-evaluation committee  Create bank of sites, ICT resource and school planning committee have references on the school public drive determined targets for the school's future under KLA’s and units of work; development.  Creation of continuum of computer skills Karolyn Blackburn - Principal basic competencies for K-6; Sarah Peard – Part-time teacher  SAM to write up and publish on server Katie Paahi – P & C President and add curriculum links as required; School contact information Black Springs Public School

14 Avoca Street Black Springs NSW 2787 Ph: 02 6335 8155 Fax: 02 6335 8178 Email: [email protected] Web: www.blacksprin-p.schools.nsw.edu.au School Code: 4190 Parents can find out more information about Annual School Reports, how to interpret information in the reports and have the opportunity to provide feedback about these reports at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/asr