Figtree High School Annual Report 2018 8449 Page 1 of 24 Figtree High School 8449 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Introduction The Annual Report for 2018 is provided to the community of Figtree High 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. Mr Daniel Ovens Principal School contact details Figtree High School Gibsons Rd Figtree, 2525 www.figtree-h.schools.nsw.edu.au [email protected] 4271 2787 Message from the Principal It is such an honour to lead this magnificent school and I thank the Figtree community for the warm welcome I received when I started as Principal in Term 3 2018. Highlights in 2018 were many and include: • Formulation of new School Plan, with 3 focus areas: collaborative teaching practice; improving systems and practices and innovative learning. All our staff are working across these areas to ensure we deliver quality programs for students. • Strengthened ties with The University of Wollongong, with 40 Year 12 students being selected for the University Preparation Program that includes HSC study skills and a taste of university life. • NAPLAN is being used to develop GROW, a writing portfolio, introduced to improve writing with our Year 7 students. • Student wellbeing programs are supporting student wellbeing, including: Top Blokes, Shine and Young Women's Forum. All of these programs were positively evaluated by our students. • Aboriginal Sport House Murals were designed and painted by our Aboriginal students in consultation with the local Aboriginal Education Consultation Group. • Our Shakespeare Festival showcased the creative and performing arts talent we have at the school with singing, dancing, acting, art displays and music. The performances were brilliantly supported by our VET Entertainment students. • A Landcare grant enabled the design and build of a small kitchen garden. Vegetables grown in this space are used in weekly food practicals. The TAS faculty have plans to expand this area. • Figtree HS was crowned 2018 Zone Athletics Champions. • Figtree HS hosted the Victor Chang and Zone Sporting Blues Awards, recognising the top performing Science and sporting students. • The Flametree Campus continues to thrive with three students successfully completing their Record of School Achievement and moving onto further studies at TAFE or the HSC course. • The Boys Open Baseball team earned a coveted place at State level of the competition, submitting to Westfield Sports High School in the Grand Final. • The Secondary Schools Renewal Program delivered a major upgrade to the entrance of our school and included a much–needed refurbishment of the Administration area. However, the greatest highlight for me every day is to walk around the school and see such engaged students and best practice teaching and learning taking place and to interact with the wonderful teachers and students who are Figtree High School. Thank you to the P&C for their ongoing support to our school in so many ways and to our outgoing President Jackie Brown. Page 2 of 24 Figtree High School 8449 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Thank you to the staff at Figtree High School who I judge to be among the best staff I have worked with in 20 years of teaching, keen to "go the extra mile" to assist their students and undertake considerable Professional Learning in their own time to increase their knowledge skills. Thank you to the students each of whom is known and valued and who fill the school each day with the excited buzz of learning. In 2019, Figtree High School will celebrate 50 years. I hope you will join us in celebrating 50 years of excellence in comprehensive public education at Figtree High. I commend this report to you. I certify that the information in this report is the result of a thorough school self–evaluation process and is a balanced and authentic account of the school's achievements and areas for development. Daniel Ovens Principal Message from the school community The Figtree High School P&C Association maintained its active support of the school in 2018 with a large group of dedicated parents who regularly attended meetings, assisted in generating income and volunteered for various activities. This past year we had 4 main fundraisers, 2 BBQ's, the "Entertainment books" and the stationary packs, with this we managed to raise over $2000.00. In late 2018 the P & C gave $5000 to the school to help fund the new library plans. We also recognised student achievement and provided funds for student awards, and to help parents and students meet the cost of representing the school at sporting, academic and CAPA events. The school canteen has continued to thrive and operate with the support of parent and student volunteers. The canteen has maintained a wide range of healthy food selections in accordance with the Department of Education policy. The P & C executive would like to take the opportunity to thank Margaret Cutajar and Joanne Reczek, for their outstanding commitment and service in the canteen. The P&C meets twice a term on a Wednesday night at 6:00pm. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to listen to the updates on our school and discuss information relating directly to the education and welfare of students. The P&C warmly greeted Daniel Ovens to the role of Principal at Figtree High School midway through the year and also cordially welcomed back Ellie Donovan and Trish Morgan to their substantive roles as Deputy Principals. Finally, I would like to express how proud I am being P&C President at Figtree High School. I wish to thank Trish Davis, our P&C secretary and Chris Ryman our treasurer for their ongoing commitment to our school. Chris Ryman and myself have left the school, but we welcome the new committee headed up by Bronwyn Gibson. The P&C at Figtree High School is a welcoming and inclusive one and we continue to welcome new members. The support of our parents is appreciated by both the P & C and the school. Jackie Brown P&C President Message from the students 2018 SRC Report Figtree High School has a proud tradition in student leadership and continue to evolve in their representation of the student voice, as part of the Figtree High School community. The 2018 school year was a particularly successful year for the SRC. They began their year by holding their first ever school SRC conference where they exchanged ideas on student leadership, developed a vision statement, built an online platform and planned a variety of ideas, projects and initiatives. Three students were selected to represent Figtree High School in prestigious leadership programs. Georgia Sturman (Year 11) participated in the UBS Young Women's Leadership Academy at Sydney University, Ellie Rada (Year 10) participated in the Secretary for a Day program with the Department of Education, and Maria Ljuboja (Year 10) participated in the Director for a Day program with Bill Field (Lake Illawarra North) from Warilla Education Office. Students also represented Figtree High School at the Wagga Wagga Operational Directorate SRC Conference at Page 3 of 24 Figtree High School 8449 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 Warrambui Retreat & Conference Centre, the GRIP Secondary Leadership Conference at the University of Wollongong (Year 7 to Year 9) and the Halogen National Young Leaders Day at the International Convention Centre in Sydney (Year 10 to Year 12). The SRC also led a number of fundraisers throughout the year for both the school and various charities/awareness days. This included BBQ fundraisers at both our school Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals, and a number of partial mufti days for charities such as Jeans for Genes Day and National Bandanna Day. The SRC also regularly support school events including chairing assemblies and ceremonies, welcoming guests, serving food, ushering, and setting up/packing up events. The expansion of the student leadership team in 2018 to include more student members, also saw the introduction of an additional SRC coordinator, Miss Casey Tasker. Miss Tasker now works together with Mrs Jill Murphy in the guiding the SRC. The members of the 2018 SRC were Year 7 Tasharna Adlington, Ana Castrissios, Kaylen Craft and Dakota Daniela; Year 8 Alice Coleman, Mikaela Kokkin, Caitlin Rodrigues and Regan Smith; Year 9 Tessa Baldock, Bailey Craft, Kobie Kokkin and Nina Graovac; Year 10 Maria Ljuboja, Maxine McEwan, Ellie Rada and Nikola Rodic; Year 11 (Prefects) Hannah Bryant, Abby Cole, Takirah Coulson, Tazmin Fulcher, Daniel Jaques, Callum Kirby–Hayes, Marija Knezevic, Sara Ljuboja, Lianna McKinnon, Jessica Nagy, Taylor O'Connor, Reydan Sinbandhit, Georgia Sturman and Zoe Williams; Year 12 Meghan Fox (Captain), Joshua Panayiotou (Captain), Campbell Fulcher (Vice Captain), Jayden Smileski (Vice Captain), Payton Williams (Vice Captain) and Georgia Wilson (Vice Captain). Page 4 of 24 Figtree High School 8449 (2018) Printed on: 31 May, 2019 School background School vision statement Figtree High School's vision is focused on success for every student through high expectations and personalised learning. All students are known, valued and cared for, and are engaged and challenged in their learning. Staff, students and parents partner together so that students become confident, creative, mature and informed citizens who are prepared for life in a complex and dynamic world. School context Figtree High School is a vibrant, fully comprehensive school in Wollongong.