2019 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre
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Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 2019 Annual Report 5690 Page 1 of 12 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 5690 (2019) Printed on: 16 March, 2020 Introduction The Annual Report for 2019 is provided to the community of Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 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. School contact details Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre Whitmore Rd Maraylya, 2765 www.longneck-e.schools.nsw.edu.au [email protected] 4573 6323 Message from the principal I would like to acknowledge the Darug People who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre (EEC) is situated. Longneck Lagoon EEC has a long tradition of developing and delivering quality sustainability education programs for primary and secondary students and their teachers. Ecology programs for all ages are supported by a range of leadership and enrichment programs focusing on a range of key learning areas. Partnerships have been forged with National Parks and Wildlife Service, other Environmental Education Centres and schools in order to enhance the learning. The dedicated permanent, temporary and casual staff members bring a diverse range of highly valued skills to the Centre. The development of new programs that support current NSW Syllabus ensure that Longneck Lagoon EEC continues to play a key role in delivering sustainability and environmental education for students and teachers in the Greater Sydney area and beyond. During 2019, Longneck Lagoon EEC has been impacted by drought which has required modification of programs and a challenge for resourcing. I would like to thank the permanent, temporary and casual staff of Longneck Lagoon EEC for the magnificent work they do and thank all the students, teachers and parents that supported the Centre by attending excursions, events and school visits during 2019. Page 2 of 12 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 5690 (2019) Printed on: 16 March, 2020 School background School vision statement Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre Vision To be leaders in the provision of learning experiences and resources that engage and challenge students while contributing to the development of responsible and environmentally literate citizens. Longneck Lagoon EEC is one of 25 Environmental and Zoo Education Centres (EZEC) across New South Wales and the network collaborates for a range of purposes. EZEC Vision Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future. School context LLEEC is located in Scheyville National Park, 12 kilometres north of Windsor. The National Park comprises 952 hectares of Cumberland Plain Woodland, surrounding a freshwater lagoon. Scheyville National Park has a significant Aboriginal and European heritage. Aboriginal middens and camp sites can be found around the lagoon. European history dates back to 1794 when the area formed part of the Nelson Common. Impacts from this land use can be observed around the Longneck Lagoon catchment. LLEEC offers a range of high quality curriculum based excursions and school visits for students K–12. Student leadership skills are developed through team building and leadership programs. A number of enrichment programs are offered to students across the Western Sydney metropolitan area. A range of teacher professional learning is offered for teaching staff through dedicated teacher professional learning programs and staff meetings. LLEEC supports local school communities through the development and provision of resources and activities that build the capacity of schools for a sustainable future. LLEEC engages with a wide range of collaborative partnerships with tertiary institutions, government and non–government organisations with the aim of developing and delivering quality educational programs for students and teaching staff. Page 3 of 12 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 5690 (2019) Printed on: 16 March, 2020 Self-assessment and school achievement 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 is a statement of what is valued as excellence for NSW public schools, both now and into the future. 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. Each year, we assess our practice against the Framework to inform our school plan and annual report. Our self–assessment process will assist the school to refine our school plan, leading to further improvements in the delivery of education to our students. For more information about the School Excellence Framework: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching–and–learning/school–excellence–and–accountability/school–excellence Self-assessment using the School Excellence Framework Elements 2019 School Assessment LEARNING: Learning Culture Sustaining and Growing LEARNING: Wellbeing Excelling LEARNING: Curriculum Sustaining and Growing LEARNING: Assessment Delivering LEARNING: Reporting Delivering LEARNING: Student performance measures Delivering TEACHING: Effective classroom practice Sustaining and Growing TEACHING: Data skills and use Delivering TEACHING: Professional standards Sustaining and Growing TEACHING: Learning and development Excelling LEADING: Educational leadership Excelling LEADING: School planning, implementation and Sustaining and Growing reporting LEADING: School resources Excelling LEADING: Management practices and processes Excelling Page 4 of 12 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 5690 (2019) Printed on: 16 March, 2020 Strategic Direction 1 Empowered learners Purpose To contribute to the development of responsible and environmentally literate citizens. This will be accomplished by providing a variety of engaging, stimulating and rich learning experiences and environments for students from a range of educational settings. New learning experiences and environments will be designed and implemented in collaboration with 'experts in their field of knowledge'. Improvement Measures Positive Behaviour for Learning data reflects increasing proportion of students demonstrating the core values of LLEEC. All teaching and learning programs are differentiated with appropriate pedagogies for a range of learning needs and outcomes. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Process 1: Establish a research evidenced positive and consistent learning culture at LLEEC. Evaluation Funds Expended (Resources) LLEEC staff indicated a high to very high level of satisfaction with the Positive $10000.00 Behaviour for Learning process and resources at LLEEC. Staff noted an improvement in consistent language and expectations supporting improved behaviours. The less formally resourced implementation of PBL for high school excursions has proven to be effective. The laminated sheet used at the beginning of the day clearly outlines behaviour expectations. Process 2: Develop, implement and evaluate a range of excursion/incursion programs that specifically meet the needs of diverse learners such as vision, language, culture, learning and behaviour. Evaluation Funds Expended (Resources) Program for disengaged primary students completed. $2000.00 Feedback from students and teachers indicate a high level of engagement and improved strategies for communication and problem solving evident. Process 3: Design and implement new learning experiences and environments in collaboration with 'experts in their field of knowledge'. Evaluation Funds Expended (Resources) The cicada program is fully resourced and is being delivered in schools. Feedback from students and teachers indicate the program meets syllabus outcomes and engages students in active learning. The Early Stage 1 – Stage 2 Storybooks in STEM programs have been trialled and evaluated as a resounding success with bookings for 2020 already being made. Page 5 of 12 Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre 5690 (2019) Printed on: 16 March, 2020 Strategic Direction 2 High quality teachers and leaders Purpose To develop the capacity of LLEEC staff and those in our networks as learners, teachers and leaders in environmental and sustainability education enabling the development of responsible and environmentally literate citizens. Improvement Measures 100% of LLEEC staff have increased knowledge of relevant syllabus K–12. Increased percentage of permanent, temporary and casual staff contributing to the development and delivery of programs that meet the diverse needs of learners. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Process 1: Build on the school culture that values collegiality and professional sharing by developing a professional learning schedule that meets the needs of LLEEC staff. Evaluation Funds Expended (Resources) Staff surveys indicate that professional learning needs have been met with Predominantly funded through