The Rivers Secondary College: Lismore High Campus Annual Report 2015 8124 Introduction The Annual Report for 2015 is provided to the community of Lismore High Campus 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. Nigel Brito Principal School contact details: The Rivers Secondary College: Lismore High Campus 118 Dalley Street EAST LISMORE NSW 2480 www.lismore-h.schools.nsw.edu.au [email protected] (02) 6621 5185 Message from the Principal This is my third year as Principal of Lismore High School. 2015 has been a very busy year for the school as there were many new policy implementations from State office as well as major changes in the approach to teaching and learning taking place at Lismore High School. It was also the year that the school officially became The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus after working collaboratively between Richmond River High School and Kadina High School for a number of years. Our biggest change in 2015 in the delivery of the curriculum was the implementation of the project-based learning approach to teaching for students in Year 7. There were 14 staff involved in the implementation of this new methodology of teaching in the school for Year 7 students. This team of staff was led by Catriona Fraser who organised teachers in developing the new teaching programs and training staff in the new teaching methodology. The program was based in the library and there were major structural changes that took place in the timetable to facilitate the program to occur, as well as a total redesigning of the library space. The positive aspects of this program, was team teaching between secondary teachers and the implementation of the curriculum that students found engaging and relevant. Feedback from the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey indicated that Year 7 who had undertaken project based learning had adjusted to secondary school, the best in the past three years as well as the most positively engaged of our Year 7 groups for the past three years. The TTFM survey is an annual survey conducted to measure the student satisfaction with schooling. We also conducted an evaluation on the project- based learning program implemented in 2015. The feedback from the program was very positive from students, staff and parents. The feedback from the program indicated the success of the program in engaging students in developing the higher order thinking skills around 21st century learning. There were decreases in student misbehaviour in the classes, student feedback indicated they preferred this form of learning to the traditional chalk and talk method. The success of the project-based learning model from 2015 will see the implementation of the model in 2016 with the Year 8 students following on with this program. Year 7 students in 2016 will also continue utilising the project-based learning approach. In 2016 we will look to implement this project -based learning across all classrooms and year levels. Again 2015 has been a fantastic year for the school in terms of the academic results that we have achieved. It has been pleasing to note our continued success in achieving NAPLAN growth levels at or above state-level. Aboriginal students in particular did particularly well on that plan with the result that again the school lost funding in support programs to assist the students. This year also saw the implementation of our program to support senior students through the aspirations program. This program targeted year 11 and 12 students and supported their HSC studies through the use of individualised planning sessions as well as group activities to enable them to be focused on their studies to achieve their personal academic outcomes. Our year 12 results have been the best in the last eight years. It was also particularly pleasing to note that on the Sydney Morning Herald HSC rankings that we achieved an exceptionally high result for government schools in the North Coast area. Our focus of improvement on our HSC results has been clearly targeted improvement in our school plan. Work done by the staff on teaching and learning programs, assessment, tasks combined with the study skills program our year 11 and 12 students has paid dividends on our results. Data from our results in NAPLAN and the HSC are analysed every year at the start of the year this information is used to target improvements in teaching and learning practices. 2015 has been the largest year of staffing change in the school in the past five years. We had a number of retirements as well as a number of staff achieving transfers and promotions. On the retirement front this year we lost Mr John Hair, Mr Warren Daniels, Mr Lindsay Smith, Mr Phil Meehan, Mr John Mison. Transfers included Mr Nathan Chatterton and Mrs Anne Price and promotions included Mr Glenn Varcoe. The result of such movement of staff will mean a number of positions will have to be advertised during term one of 2016. I would like to acknowledge the support of Mr Phil Meehan who was the Deputy Principal in assisting me in leading the school. Nigel Brito Principal The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus P&C Presidents Annual Report 2015 Lismore High Campus P & C Executive for 2015 President – Louise Somerville Vice President – Nadine Toniello Secretary – Andrina Bennett (Correspondence), Tracey Webster (Minutes) Treasurer – Carolyn Lindwall Bookkeeper – Amanda Franey School Council Representatives – Louise Somerville, Nadine Toniello, Wendy McKey, Leanne Summers, Tracey Webster It was a huge year in 2015. Thank you to our P&C Executive parents, all P&C members, volunteers, children who worked so hard and to our LHC Principal, Deputy Principal and staff who welcomed our input to improve our school. Together we contributed funds, physical work, parental feedback and served on panels within the school. Special thanks to the best canteen manager on the North Coast, Wendy Rose, for her talent for creating good food, her warmth and her integrity. In 2015 LHC P&C: • Held regular monthly meetings throughout the year. • Wrote to Bunnings and received donated plants to beautify the bus bay garden in LHC colours. (Planted and tended by Kellie McBeath and helpers.) • Bought an official LHC P&C vinyl banner for P&C events. • Introduced an updated LHC P&C letterhead. • Hosted a fundraising cake stall for the State election in school grounds. • Wrote to Woolworths and Coles and received donations of sausages, sauces, bread and serviettes for a Masters BBQ. The only outlay from P&C funds was for ice, drinks and onion. • Hosted a fundraising BBQ at Masters. • Held a fundraising “chook” raffle in the office. • Introduced Mothers Day and Fathers Day stalls fostering a stronger connection between school and families. Both were profitable and appreciated by the kids, staff and parents. • Donated two blow-mould tables received from Lismore Car Boot Market. • Paid for Canteen wages, stock, running costs and maintenance repairs. • Supported the Canteen with volunteers. • Provided parental representatives on selection panels. • Wrote to the Lismore Workers Club Board and obtained room hire at no cost for a trivia night. • Held a raffle at Lismore Shopping Square. • Organised a successful (and fun!) fancy dress Halloween Trivia Night, collected prizes donated by local businesses and families in the school and held a raffle fundraiser for the event. • Assisted LHC staff in a working bee to paint the façade, posts and railings at the bus bay. • Donated an official cash tin for P&C events. • Assisted at official school functions when required and on White Ribbon Day. • Contributed articles to the school newsletter and Lismore Workers Club. Louise Somerville P&C President School Background School vision statement Vision Statement: Inclusive, innovative centre of excellence. At Lismore High Campus: • We are creating learning environments that engage students in the learning process. • Building a culture of high expectations for our students • Developing students as contributing members of the community • Building strong community partnerships • Developing student leadership capabilities • Catering for the learning needs of students through differentiated learning • Building the capacity and skills of staff through professional learning • Providing equitable access for students to a high quality education • Success for our students is building pride in themselves and their achievements School context Lismore High Campus has a proud tradition serving the Lismore Community and was founded in 1920 and was the first high public high school in town. The total student enrolment for 2016 is 365 students. The school has a support unit with 30 students. Lismore High Campus has a significant population of Aboriginal Students 20% and 5% Non-English Speaking Background. In the last three years there have been significant student performance improvements made at the school. School attendance rates are the highest in 5 years, National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) growth rates are the highest in 7 years. Higher School Certificate results are the most improved in 10 years. There is a focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning taking place in the school. The school has a very strong partnership with Southern Cross University and students have access to the University facilities for wider learning. Lismore High Campus is part of The Rivers Secondary College and works collaboratively with Richmond River High Campus and Kadina High Campus through enhanced curriculum delivery at Year 11 & 12.