Conargo Public School Annual Report 2018 1606 Page 1 of 10 Conargo Public School 1606 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Introduction The Annual Report for 2018 is provided to the community of Conargo 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. Christine Smith Principal School contact details Conargo Public School Deniliquin-Wagga Wagga Rd Conargo, 2710 www.conargo-p.schools.nsw.edu.au [email protected] 03 5884 6624 Page 2 of 10 Conargo Public School 1606 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 School background School vision statement Conargo Public School is commmited to providing quality educational experiences and personalised learning in a nurturing, innovative and dynamic learning environment. Students are empowered to be independant learners and thinkers; enabling them to achieve personal learning excellence, consideration and perseverance; effectively equipping them for future challenges. School context Conargo Public School is one of three rural, vibrant learning communities located within 35km of Deniliquin. 80% of our students travel out by bus from Deniliquin each day. We are currently a TP2 school with a Teaching Principal plus 1 part time teacher. The professional learning requirements for teaching in NSW public schools are met by all teaching staff. The student population is largely from an English speaking background with 20% Indigenous students. The school has some degree of mobility of students with students coming from local stations or out from Deniliquin. Using our school motto of "Consideration and Perseverance" we approach our students learning in a holistic manner, helping them grow both as learners and 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. Conargo School is at the delivering stage in the Learning Domain. This is because the school has had a high number of staff turn over and each new teacher needs to become familiar with the high expectations and different assessments that the school uses. For the well–being subset we are working towards sustaining and growing this is because we are such a small school, that each student has a very individualised plan and teachers are able to give feedback instantly. For the Teaching Domain we are between delivering and sustaining and growing because of a number of factors such as no casual teachers for staff to attend professional development and a part– time teacher who is also studying her masters therefore is not completing her accreditation. For the Leading Domain we are again between delivering and working towards delivering as the Relieving Principal was not familiar with the NSW system of education and not a primary trained teacher. 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/sef–evidence–guide Page 3 of 10 Conargo Public School 1606 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Strategic Direction 1 Quality Learning Purpose To actively engage students in meaningful, challenging, personalised learning experiences that empower them to take responsibility for their learning; know why they are learning, what they are learning and when they have been successful learners; allowing them to become independent resilient lifelong learners. Overall summary of progress 2018 was a disruptive year as there was a relieving Principal and then there was a change of teaching staff mid way through the year. This meant that many of the initiatives could not be completed because of these many changes. There was a number of programs started but then not completed and data was not collected to show what growth had occurred. The shared faculty folder was not set up and the programming was not completed. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Improvement measures Funds Expended Progress achieved this year (to be achieved over 3 years) (Resources) All students will achieve expected Inquisitive software hire for Students have shown some growth for the year. growth each year in all key the year Mathematics was assessed twice during the year learning areas. and all students showed improvement . $55.00 A powerful learning culture is No cost. This was provided One teacher completed a basic introduction into evident across the school through by the small schools HOW 2Learn but this was not shown throughout the practices which are responsive to network after school hours. school after this. the learning needs of all students. All teachers will utilise Probe reading assessment Reading records using the Probe assessments and assessment for, as, and of some spelling records were utilised an then learning in the planning and $285 teaching was adjusted accordingly. delivery of teaching and learning programs. Next Steps The learning culture is so important in a school, to developing independent learners however we also need to be aware that the student profile currently at the school also needs a lot of support. Most students have learning delays and therefore require one on one support. We are fortunate that we can employ an SLSO so that the teacher has support in giving the students more one on one feedback during this time. All student will be tracked on PLAN2 and the teacher will be able to use this to extend the students. All students have written out their own learning goals for each term and are laminated on their desk so they can refer to them daily. Page 4 of 10 Conargo Public School 1606 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Strategic Direction 2 Quality teaching Purpose To provide staff with a platform for critical reflection and analysis of current teaching practice through collaborative planning; quality professional learning; and the use of evidence–based pedagogy, assessment and curriculum. To improve the engagement and expectations of student progress, self regulation and student directed learning. Quality teaching will ensure a learning environment that will drive students to work towards higher goals and constantly seek ways to further their learning. Overall summary of progress Progress on this strategic direction was limited because of the change over in staffing. This was reflected in the Milestones as it is so difficult to get casual teachers for regular teachers to attended Professional Development.. Some P D was done however this staff member is now at a different school. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Improvement measures Funds Expended Progress achieved this year (to be achieved over 3 years) (Resources) An explicit system of $360 – Flights to Principals With the change over in staffing there has been collaboration and feedback conference limited progress made this year. against the Australian National Teaching Standards exists to $400– Accommodation in drive individual performance Sydney improvement of staff. $800– Conference costs All teachers use the Literacy and There was no evidence of the Literacy and Numeracy progressions to Numeracy progression being used during 2018. personalise student learning. Next Steps All students will be tracked on PLAN2 and teachers will be able to use this to evaluate where the students have gaps and what teaching needs to occur. There will be a strong focus on technology with all students using a 3–D printer in term one and designing their own objects to print. In 2019 the school will be doing an external validation and evidence is collected to show where the school sits using the Schools Excellence Framework. All staff will complete a PDP to track progress. Page 5 of 10 Conargo Public School 1606 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Strategic Direction 3 Community – Engagement and Wellbeing Purpose To engage all members of the school community in positive and respectful relationships to collaboratively and positively influence student educational outcomes. To create an environment where all members of the community can connect and collaborate to ensure all students have a sense of belonging and feel valued, encouraged, supported and empowered to succeed. Overall summary of progress Conargo School has a number of transient students and this means that the school numbers fluctuate throughout the year. The P & C met a number of times and many new initiatives where started. The P & C funded a year 6 scholarship program to a graduating student.. They also purchased a new school sign that can display the upcoming events at the school to the community. At the start of 2019 the sign had to be moved so that it was easier to change the message and more visible to people coming and going from the school. Progress towards achieving improvement measures Improvement measures Funds Expended Progress achieved this year (to be achieved over 3 years) (Resources) Decrease in the number of $38.00 wrist bands negative student behaviour issues. Bullying No Way Day Increase in student attendance parents were contacted through emails and phone rates. calls to explain why students were not at school. Increase the participation and $925– Newspaper ad Communication booklets were set up for each involvement of parents/ carers students however this did not appear to be and the community in school $150– open day sign successful.