NSW Department of Education & Training
2010 Annual School Report
Kempsey East Public School
NSW Public Schools – Leading the way
Our school at a glance
The school is located in Kempsey, a town of approximately 10,000 people on the mid north coast. The school was established in 1881 and has a long and rich tradition of excellence in the sporting, academic and creative arts areas. The school is funded by the Priority Schools Program and is a National Partnerships Low Socio-Economic school.
Students
Student enrolment has had only small variations over the last five years from an enrolment of 272 students in 2005 to a peak of 292 students in 2010, with 16% identifying as Aboriginal.
Staff
The teaching staff at Kempsey East Public School has an average of 16 years teaching experience, and ranges from less than a year to over 35 years experience.
On average staff have been at the school for nine years.
All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Messages
Principal’s message
In 2010 we have continued to maintain our academic focus on literacy and numeracy, resulting in the Year 3 and Year 5 students achieving very solid results in the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), particularly in the higher bands. The introduction of the Language, Learning and Literacy (L3) program and the continuation of the Best Start program has resulted in Kindergarten students experiencing an excellent academic start to their schooling.
Our student welfare programs remain a major feature of the school, with a strengthened focus on healthy lifestyles and student wellbeing. Our emphasis on excellent student behaviour, leadership and values continues.
Staff professional discussion and training has continued to be focused on the provision of quality teaching in the planning and delivery of lessons and assessment procedures. There is a focus on providing educational programs to cater for the growth and education of the ‘whole child’.
Kempsey East Public School is highly regarded by our parent and student body and in the local community.
I certify that the information in this report is the result of a rigorous school self-evaluation process and is a balanced and genuine account of the school’s achievements and areas for development.
Jenni Griffiths
P & C message
Thank you to the committee members who have worked hard for the P & C during 2010.
This year the P &C held a Mothers’ Day stall and Fathers’ Day BBQ breakfast as well as an Easter and Christmas raffle.
Through P & C fundraising sports uniforms were supplied for students to use when representing the school in a number of sports.
This year has seen P &C and teachers making decisions as a team to support our students.
Kellie Hardy P&C President
Student representative’s message
In 2010 the Students’ Representative Council (SRC)organised frolics around the themes “When I grow up” and “My favouritecartoon character”. These occasions are very popular with the students and are supported by our canteen who provide hot food, drinks and treats.
Proceeds from the frolics, an Odd Shoe Day and Bandana Day were donated to the Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Council. The SRC also organised a collection of school resources donated by students and families, and arranged for it to be dispatched to less fortunate schools in Vanuatu.
The SRC organised and conducted the school ANZAC Day ceremony. The whole school participated in the ceremony and learnt about the significance of various traditional elements as explained by SRC members during the service. The SRC also represented the school at the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph.
Continuing efforts by the SRC to improve safety for children walking to school has resulted in further changes to the school pedestrian crossing which is now a designated Children’s Crossing with flags and road markings to warn motorists that they must drive with caution when approaching the crossing.
2010 SRC Captains and Ministers
School context
Student information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all students must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies.
Student enrolment profile
Student enrolment has remained steady with minor fluctuations 2006 – 2010.
Student attendance profile
Student attendance has improved over 2010 with the introduction of new processes to reduce and monitor student absences.
Management of non-attendance
Over 2010 the school has actively encouraged student attendance through articles in the school newsletter, by installing a computerised roll marking and attendance monitoring system (Sentral), regular letters being sent to all families whose children have attendance patterns of concern or unexplained absences and providing time for staff members to phone caregivers regarding student absences. This has resulted in a decrease in unexplained absences and more regular patterns of student attendance.
Class sizes
In March 2003 the Government announced its commitment to publish primary class sizes in annual school reports in order to provide parents with as much local information as possible.
The following table shows our class sizes as reported at the 2010 class size audit conducted on Wednesday 17 March 2010.
Structure of classes
Students were grouped into eleven classes, five of which were composite groups to optimize the learning and social opportunities for all students.
Roll Class / Year / Total per Year / Total in ClassK M / K / 21 / 21
K/1 S / K / 14 / 20
K/1 S / 1 / 6 / 20
1 P / 1 / 19 / 20
1 P / 2 / 1 / 20
1/2 G / 1 / 16 / 27
1/2 G / 2 / 11 / 27
2 B / 2 / 25 / 25
3 W / 3 / 25 / 26
3 W / 6 / 1 / 26
3/4 R / 3 / 17 / 29
3/4 R / 4 / 12 / 29
4 Y / 4 / 28 / 28
4/5 W / 4 / 7 / 31
4/5 W / 5 / 24 / 31
5/6 L / 5 / 14 / 31
5/6 L / 6 / 17 / 31
6 P / 6 / 28 / 28
Staff information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all staff must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies
Staff establishment
Position / NumberPrincipal / 1
Assistant Principal(s) / 3
Classroom Teachers / 8
RFF/Part time teacher/PSP / 1.4
Reading Recovery / .5
Support Teacher Learning Assistance / .8
Teacher Librarian / .6
Low SES staff / 2
School Administrative & Support Staff / 2.7
Total / 20
The National Education Agreement requires schools to report on Indigenous composition of their workforce.
There are two School Learning Support Officers (Aboriginal) at the school.
Staff retention
Staffing at the school remains relatively stable, with small changes made by employing temporary teachers for specific initiatives or to cover long term leave. There were no teacher transfers or merit selections during the year.
Teacher qualifications
All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Qualifications / % of staffDegree or Diploma / 100
Financial summary
This summary covers funds for operating costs and does not involve expenditure areas such as permanent salaries, building and major maintenance.
A full copy of the school’s 2010 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meetings of the School Council and/or the parent body. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.
School performance 2010
There are a variety of educational opportunities and experiences offered to the students each year at Kempsey East Public School.
Achievements
Arts
A Japanese group performed Taiko drumming, fan dancing and sword dancing at the school in March entertaining students and giving them an insight into other cultures.
Musica Viva came to the school during second term involving the students in music from several cultures developing improvised compositions in an energetic and highly interactive program.
Three students represented the school in the Macleay Idol with two students sharing equal first in their division.
Many students presented artwork for the Kempsey Show with six students having their work recognized with places.
Two students achieved wonderful results at the Kempsey eisteddfod with eight first places, two seconds and one third placing for their respective performances.
Six senior band members continued to practise and play at school events.
Four students completed a mime and movement workshop at Kempsey High School.
Twelve students had their art work exhibited at the Macleay Education Community of Schools’Spring Into Art Festival.
Sport
Four boys participated in the Macleay cricket trials with two selected for the lower north coast team, with one proceeding to selection in the North Coast side.
Local interschool rugby for under ten years and under twelve years was conducted on Friday evenings in term one.
The school rugby side became local champions with eight players selected for the Lower North Coast team and two boys selected for the Macleayunder twelve side.
Seven swimmers represented the school at the Lower North Coast carnival with one achieving their age championship.
The school cricket team advanced to the second round of the state knockout competition.
Two girls were selected for the Macleay girls’ football team and five boys trialled for the Lower North Coast football side. One girl and two boys were selected for their respective Lower North Coast football sides, with the boys going on to play for the North Coast side.
One student represented the Macleay area in rugby league.
The school netball side became the Macleay champions with four girls selected in the representative side. The team was knocked out in the second round of the Hastings Macleay competition.
Thirty students represented the school in cross country at Lower North Coast level, with three students proceeding to North Coast level, and one student going on to the state carnival.
Softball was played by both boys and girls this year. The girls side made it through to the fourth round of the state knockout competition. Three softballers represented the Lower North Coast in their respective sides and one player was selected for the North Coast team.
Eleven students represented the school at Lower North Coast athletics with six students progressing to the North Coast level and two continuing to the NSW carnival.
Four students achieved Sporting Blues from the school in cross country, football and softball.
Other
One student achieved a Rotary Club citizenship award.
After school activities began in February with a group of students enjoying the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports and activities.
The University of NSW:
- Computer Skills Competition saw fifteen students participateearning one distinction, four credits and eleven participation certificates;
- Science Competition hadfourteen students participate earning three credits and eleven participation certificates;
- Writing Competition sawfourteen students participateearning two distinctions, two credits and ten participation certificates;
- Spelling Competition had twenty three students participateearning two distinctions, five credits and sixteen participation certificates;
- English Competition saweighteen students participateearning four credits and fourteen participation certificates; and
- Mathematics Competition had twenty eight students participate earning one distinction, eleven credits and sixteen participation certificates.
Stage three students had a most enjoyable camp at Lake Keepit learning a great deal about the environment and personal development skills.
Jump Rope for Heart Jump Off Day was held in late April with many students participating.
In second term the school became a Waterwise School encouraging students to conserve water and be aware of its value as a resource.
The school captains and ministers led the school Anzac Day ceremony with students and parents participating in the KempseyAnzac Day ceremony.
A group of Stage 2 students enjoyed Ausquiz over the year building their awareness of history and current affairs.
One student achieved first in the top 100 students in Australia for Mathletics and fourth in the top 100 in the world. Over the year many students achieved increased Mathletics levels and Hall of Fame placements.
Academic
In the National Assessment Program, the results across the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 literacy and numeracy assessments are reported on a scale from Band 1 to Band 10.
The achievement scale represents increasing levels of skills and understandings demonstrated in these assessments.
Yr 3: from Band 1 (lowest) to Band 6 (highest for Year 3)
Yr 5: from Band 3 (lowest) to Band 8 (highest for Year 5)
Literacy – NAPLAN Year 3
Year 3 literacy results exemplified the disparity of student achievement. There was an increase in the number of students gaining results in the highest band in all aspects of literacy, sometimes not only bettering like schools but the state average. There has also been an increase of results in the lower bands, and this reflects the changing nature of student enrolment and the need to continue with intensive remediation programs.
Numeracy – NAPLAN Year 3
There has been a significant growth in the percentage of students achieving in the highest bands in Year 3 numeracy. The school percentage in the highest band was significantly greater than the state percentage of students achieving in this band. There has also been student growth in the lower bands reflected by the movement of students up from Band 1 and into Bands 2 and 3.
Literacy – NAPLAN Year 5
Literacy results are stronger than like schools in the majority of areas with significantly better results in the top bands of all areas except writing. There were less students in the lower bands than similar schools in all aspects of literacy.
Numeracy – NAPLAN Year 5
Student performance in the highest band was very strong, surpassing not only similar schools but the state percentage. Student representation in Band 4 was higher than it has been in previous years.
Progress in literacy
The progress in writing was above both that of similar schools and the state and progress in the other areas of literacy was slightly lower than that of similar schools and the state.
Progress in numeracy
The progress in numeracy for matched students has been slightly less than for similar schools and the state.
Minimum standards
The Commonwealth Government sets minimum standards for reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy for years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
The performance of the students in our school in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy is compared to these minimum standards. The percentages of our students achieving at or above these standards are reported below.
Percentage of Year 3 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2010
Percentage of Year 3 students achieving at or above minimum standardReading / 93
Writing / 93
Spelling / 88
Punctuation and grammar / 79
Numeracy / 93
Percentage of Year 5 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2010
Percentage of Year 5 students achieving at or above minimum standardReading / 94
Writing / 100
Spelling / 97
Punctuation and grammar / 94
Numeracy / 94
Significant programs and initiatives
Aboriginal education
All Year K-6 teaching programs include Aboriginal perspectives and content that teaches children about Aboriginal history, culture and Aboriginal Australia in the twentieth century.
Student involvement in the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) celebrations provides opportunities for all students to increase their understanding of Aboriginal Australia.
Our Aboriginal Education Officer continued to provide support for Aboriginal students in literacy and numeracy across all stages and during 2010 and an additional Aboriginal School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) was employed.
Two staff members participated in the Stronger Smarter training and this became the catalyst for a renewed focus on Aboriginal Education. All staff have now discussed and understand the elements of the Aboriginal Education Policy.
Personal Learning Plans (PLP)have been developed with the families of all Aboriginal students and an Aboriginal Education Committee has been formed.
Aboriginal students performed well in the NAPLAN tests with Year 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students surpassing the average growth expected for all students in NSW in the areas of spelling, reading and grammar and punctuation and bettering the average for all Aboriginal students in every aspect of the NAPLAN tests.
NAIDOC celebrations were an outstanding success with many interesting activities based on Aboriginal culture and successful Aboriginal people being conducted.
Multicultural education
The school’s curriculum scope and sequence has formalised our approach to multicultural perspectives across all Key Learning Areas (KLAs) in 2010.
Students participate in a variety of activities to increase their understanding of different cultures and lifestyles.
Respect and responsibility
Values education underpins the core values, policies and programs operating within the school. The Rock and Water program implemented across the whole school emphasises respect, responsibility, co-operation and integrity. The school has a strong anti-bullying program that teaches the right to be safe, respected and treated fairly. Environmental Education continues to be a focus with the school becoming a Water Wise school this year.
Students participate in community service activities such as visiting local nursing homes and participating in the Clean Up Australia Day and being involved in the Anzac service.
National partnership programs
Funding from the Low Socio-Economic Partnership has enabled the school to introduce additional programs to improve student outcomes.
Four staff members were trained to conduct the Quick Smart numeracy intervention program. Twenty students between Years 4-6 participated in the program with all students improving at a rate faster than other students who were not participating in the program.
An Accelerated Literacy tutor was trained early in the year and this enabled eight teaching staff to participate in school-based training. While this program is in the early stages, 2010 NAPLAN results indicate that 60% students grew more than the expected rate between Years 3 and 5 in writing and that there was a 50% reduction of students in the lower bands in Year 5 in writing.