ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Queensland State School Reporting Every student succeeding State Schools Strategy Department of Education Contact information Postal address PO Box 3504, Newmarket 4051 Phone (07) 3552 7111 Fax NA Email [email protected] Webpages Additional information about Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre can be found at https://brisbaneurbaneec.eq.edu.au/ Contact person Melanie Davis (Acting Principal) 2019 Annual Report 1 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre From the Principal Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Overview Centre Profile Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre is a day visit centre committed to creating connected global citizens who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to the challenges we all face on our journey towards a more sustainable future. Our committed, inspiring and responsive staff operate from our centre, at Newmarket State School, and a variety of locations in and around our beautiful river city. By making meaningful connections between the natural and built environments found in our diverse locality, we hope to bring learning to life and encourage students, parents, the community and our collaborative partners to develop an appreciation of what makes our place so special. The City of Brisbane has a rich, sometimes hidden, history and a wide variety of urban, marine and bush environments which are well suited to our programs that focus on the curriculum areas of Geography, History and Science. Innovative and engaging programs and a passionate staff help to connect these varied settings to curriculum in a uniquely relevant way that makes the most of our natural curiosity. We are especially proud of the relationships we have developed with local schools, students and the community, as these lie at the very heart of what we do and what we value as a centre. Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre (BUEEC) is a learning hub within our community that enables mutually beneficial partnerships between schools, universities and industry to enhance students’ learning experiences. Our programs are delivered and supported by a variety of groups such as The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Queensland (UQ) and Lend Lease. The expertise contributed by these groups strengthens the authenticity and depth of centre programs, along with bridging the gap between primary, secondary and tertiary education and industry. The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) The RNA has been a vital and treasured partner of BUEEC for over 25 years. The Centre, on behalf of the Department of Education, conducts the annual Show Camp, a residential program currently focusing on newswriting, which is conducted in association with the Ekka. The partnership between the Department of Education and the RNA, to conduct an educational camp based on the activities of the Show, commenced in 1928 and a camp has been held every year for most of that 90-year period. The Ekka, which is the largest community event in Queensland each year, brings together the country and the city and showcases Queensland. The partnership with the RNA brings together a select group of Year Six students from across the state to live and learn together as they experience this unique event. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) QUT is a valued partner of BUEEC and is involved with both our Senior Geography and STEM planning and programs. The expertise, resources and support offered by a range of both lecturers and students from the university has allowed BUEEC to provide exceptional and authentic learning experiences. University of Queensland (UQ) BUECC has recently established a partnership with Dr Anthony Romilio, a University of Queensland palaeontology researcher. Having Dr Romilio work with students in our Year 6 STEM Horizons “Rediscovering Dinosaurs” program has brought the subject to life and provided an opportunity to explore with and be inspired by a practicing palaeontologist. His enthusiasm and extensive knowledge also encourages students to consider STEM careers. 2019 Annual Report 2 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Vision, Mission and Values Our Vision Creating meaningful connections between people and places. Our Mission To create supportive, inspiring and engaging environments in which every student has the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom and make connections between people and places. Our Values • To create authentic learning experiences that allow students to explore, inquire, investigate, appreciate and inspire others. • To enliven and enhance the Australian Curriculum through programs delivered by passionate, innovative and responsive teachers. • To establish and maintain collaborative and authentic partnerships which are mutually supportive and beneficial. • To foster a sense of stewardship for our natural and built environments and empower communities to contribute to a sustainable future 2019 Annual Report 3 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Principal’s foreword The focus for centre improvement as documented in the 2019 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and supported by the 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan remained on four key elements: • Teaching and Learning o Goal: Use data collected during 2018 that was focused on the effectiveness of teaching strategies, teaching skills and program alignment to curriculum to inform the refinement of the pedagogical framework that is relevant to the centre’s vision and priorities. • Evidence Based Decision Making o Goal: Analyse 2018 results and continue to collect meaningful data through the utilisation of a suite of techniques to enhance student engagement and assess the effectiveness of programs and the acquisition of knowledge and skills. • Community o Goal: Throughout 2019 the centre will continue to pursue its role as a learning hub in the community through the consolidation of existing partnerships and exploration of new opportunities to ensure programs remain relevant and engaging. • Management o Goal: Throughout 2019 the centre will provide the best possible facilities to support the AIP priorities and the Centre’s value of place. Brisbane Urban EEC, along with Moreton Bay and Toohey Forest EEC’s, were recipients of the Peter Doherty STEM Education Partnership Award in 2019 for STEM Horizons for High Achievers. As a teaching staff, we travelled to the World Environmental Education Congress in Bangkok where we attended a variety of influential sessions that allowed us to expand our professional education around best practice that is being employed around the world. Networking during the conference allowed for relationships to be fostered and opportunities to be created for our students upon return to the Centre. Our continuing work with building partnerships is evident as we work closely with our client schools, universities and the wider community to improve our centre and learning outcomes for all. 2019 Annual Report 4 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Our school at a glance Centre profile Coeducational or single sex Coeducational Independent public school No Programs offered in 2019 Prep – Year 12 Centre Analysis Centre visitation data, instructional hours and feedback from both staff and visiting teachers included in the following section of the report. Overview The visitation data from the last three years has shown: • An increase in student numbers visiting the centre. (Refer to Table One) • Consistent engagement in upper secondary programs at BUEEC, especially with the introduction of ATAR in 2019. • Largest student groups visiting the centre are from State Schools from Years 3-6. (Refer to Graph One & Two) Table One: Student Visitation Year Student Visitation Instructional Hours 2017 5125 29 056 2018 7902 31 093 2019 7508 23 106 2019 Annual Report 5 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Graph One: Students visiting the centre by learning phase in 2019 Graph Two: Students visiting the centre by school type in 2019 2019 Annual Report 6 Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre Curriculum delivery Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre’s pedagogical model is based on: • Inquiry-based learning • Use of experiential learning experiences in authentic natural and built sites in and around Brisbane City • Critical thinking • Place responsive pedagogy Social climate 2019 Headline Indicators Headline Indicators for BUEEC in 2019 are listed in Table Two below. Feedback survey results indicate that the centre offered engaging, curriculum aligned programs that allow students to achieve identified learning outcomes in an effective learning environment. Table Two: Headline Indicators (Responses measured on a 6-point Likert Scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 6 = Strongly Agree) Mean Headline Indicator Teacher Survey Questions Response The centre was explicit about the alignment of the program to the Australian and QLD curriculums. 5.7 Students achieved the learining outcomes identified for this program. 5.8 Students received quality teaching from the centre staff. 5.9 Students were highly engaged in the program. 5.8 The centre has positively contributed to the overall education of students. 5.9 Student safety was well managed by the staff at this centre. 6.0 Student behaviour was well managed by the staff at this centre. 5.9 The centre is well organised. 6.0 The centre is well resourced. 6.0 The centre is well maintained.