2016 Allambie Heights Public School Annual Report
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Allambie Heights Public School Annual Report 2016 4200 Page 1 of 17 Allambie Heights Public School 4200 (2016) Printed on: 8 May, 2017 Introduction The Annual Report for 2016 is provided to the community of Allambie Heights Public School as an account of the school's operations and achievements throughout the year. It provides a detailed account of the progress the school has made to provide high quality educational opportunities for all students, as set out in the school plan. It outlines the findings from self–assessment that reflect the impact of key school strategies for improved learning and the benefit to all students from the expenditure of resources, including equity funding. Angela Helsloot Principal School contact details Allambie Heights Public School Allambie Rd Allambie Heights, 2100 www.allambieht-p.schools.nsw.edu.au [email protected] 9451 5440 Message from the Principal It is with great pride that I present the 2016 Annual School Report for Allambie Heights Public School. Our school prides itself on delivering a curriculum focussed on meeting the needs of all students whilst providing every student with a variety of outstanding opportunities. Our highly qualified, professional staff strive to achieve the best for our students by providing engaging, quality and relevant teaching and learning programs in a safe, stimulating and secure learning environment. Our personal approach to education ensures that each student has the opportunity to be a successful learner and to reach their individual potential. I would like to thank the staff for the outstanding job they have done throughout 2016. They have continued to support our school and given their time to the students in so many ways beyond the classroom – attendance at camps, sporting activities, excursions, student focussed P&C events, encouragement of students in activities outside of school and their general support of ongoing school and P&C activities. Our school is an inclusive learning environment where all students feel that they can and will succeed. Our students have continued to showcase their talents in many areas throughout the school – Tournament of the Minds regional finals, Premier’s spelling bee, sporting events, performing arts, university competitions, public speaking and debating to name a few. The students have also displayed a strong understanding of our school values – Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. Upholding these values is a lifelong asset and assists each individual in present and future endeavours. A strong partnership exists between parents, our school and the wider community. Allambie Heights Public School greatly appreciates the ongoing support of our community. Parents and the wider community are heavily involved in P&C, assisting in classrooms and on excursions, at sporting activities, volunteering in the canteen and uniform shop, fundraising activities, school banking and gardening. So many parents are prepared to give their time where possible and our school thanks our volunteers for their valuable contributions. I look forward to 2017 – to another year of providing excellent opportunities for all our students at Allambie Heights Public School. Angela Helsloot Principal Page 2 of 17 Allambie Heights Public School 4200 (2016) Printed on: 8 May, 2017 School background School vision statement A community school, Allambie Heights Public School is a place where together we promote a positive learning environment where everybody is inspired to be their best. School context Allambie Heights Public School is located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. The school motto, ‘Ever Aim High’, underpins the school’s strong belief that each child needs to be recognised for their own achievements, celebrating success at both a school and personal level. Our personalised approach to education ensures that each child has the opportunity to be successful academically, emotionally and socially in a nurturing, resourceful and inspiring environment. In the past few years, major initiatives in the areas of literacy, numeracy, student wellbeing and technology, in conjunction with a strong history of outstanding achievement in the areas of performing arts and sport, has enabled our school to continue to build a school culture that recognises and fosters the understanding that the development of the ‘whole child’ is paramount to creating successful, confident, creative, collaborative and communicative global citizens. Self-assessment and school achievement Self-assessment using the School Excellence Framework This section of the Annual Report outlines the findings from self–assessment using the School Excellence Framework, school achievements and the next steps to be pursued. This year, our school undertook self–assessment using the School Excellence Framework. The framework supports public schools throughout NSW in the pursuit of excellence by providing a clear description of high quality practice across the three domains of Learning, Teaching and Leading. This year, the school executive team undertook self–assessment using the domains of the School Excellence Framework. Members of the school executive evaluated the domains of the School Excellence Framework – Learning, Teaching or Leading. Evaluations were discussed as a team to assess where Allambie Heights Public School was placed on the framework at the end of 2016 and where we need to progress in 2017. The executive review of the School Excellence Framework shows that we are at varying levels of achievements across the different elements of the Leading, Teaching and Leading domains of the School Excellence Framework. Our self–assessment process will assist the school to refine the strategic priorities in our School Plan, leading to further improvements in the delivery of education to our students. For more information about the School Excellence Framework: http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about–the–department/our–reforms/school–excellence–framework Page 3 of 17 Allambie Heights Public School 4200 (2016) Printed on: 8 May, 2017 Strategic Direction 1 Building student capacity Purpose STUDENTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL 21st CENTURY LEARNERS To foster an environment that supports student learning through the implementation of quality teaching and learning experiences and high expectations. To be successful learners, our students need to be literate, numerate, confident, creative problem solvers, critical thinkers and effective collaborators. Our students will be engaged, inspired and motivated to reach their potential in all areas of their development. Our students will be nurtured to become resourceful, respectful, responsible and resilient lifelong learners. Overall summary of progress Quality teaching and learning programs focussed on the new curriculums formed the basis of our plans for building student capacity throughout 2016. Tracking student growth across all aspects on Planning Literacy and Numeracy (PLAN) was the expectation for all staff and the role this information plays in assisting with the formulation of differentiated teaching and learning programs for literacy and numeracy. 100% of staff tracked student progress in literacy and numeracy to assess the impact of their teaching and learning programs on individual student growth. PLAN data was utilised by staff to guide teaching and learning programs while embedding Information Communication Technologies (ICT) as an important aspect to curriculum delivery and achievement. Our evaluation shows that through the support provided by the Learning and Support team and Stage leaders to promote a differentiated program for learners of all abilities that 2017 will be a year of consolidation as staff have more confidence in devising personalised learning plans for identified students, all K–6 student data is entered in PLAN for both literacy and numeracy and our student wellbeing program of Positive Behaviour, Engaging Learners (PBEL) will continue to underpin the quality learning environments in which our students can thrive. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Improvement measures Progress achieved this year Funds Expended (to be achieved over 3 years) (Resources) A yearly increase in the number • 50% increase of year 5 students achieved in the Total spent for Strategic of year 3, year 5 and year 7 top two proficiency bands in reading. This is an Direction 1: $356 249.00 students achieving in the top two increase of 2% from 2015. proficiency bands, and • 67% of year 3 students achieved in the top two demonstrating greater than or proficiency bands in writing. This is an increase of equal to expected growth in 3% from 2015. NAPLAN reading, writing and • 42% of year 7 students achieved in the top two numeracy proficiency bands in numeracy. This is an increase of 10% from 2015. All staff effectively use the PLAN • 100% of teaching staff entered data for all software to record, evaluate, students in their class into the PLAN software for monitor and plan student literacy and numeracy. This data was entered once achievement in literacy and per term and used by staff when planning numeracy differentiated teaching and learning programs. Staff also used this information to provide valuable feedback to parents. • Teams of staff utilised the information from the cluster groupings to assist with the formulation of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria as a part of our whole school Visible Learning project. Reduction in the number of • Consistency by all staff in monitoring playground students recorded for minor expectations was