Annual School Report 2007

NSW Department of Education & Training 1379

Brookvale Public School
2007 Annual Report

NSW Public Schools – Leading the way

Messages Principal’s message I am pleased to be able to report once again to our school community on some of the highlights and achievements of another good year at Brookvale. Brookvale Public School is a small community-centred school in the heart of Brookvale. Its wonderful children come from a diverse range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Our school endeavours to maximise educational outcomes and learning opportunities for all children, encouraging children to achieve their best in a caring and supportive environment. 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. I hope you all enjoy reading the report. If you have any questions about the report please do not hesitate to contact me. Steve Richard P&C message The P&C organises fundraising such as football parking, Mothers Day Stall, Fathers Day Stall and election day cake stalls to help raise money for the school to subsidise excursions, camps and school activities. It also runs the school canteen for the benefit of our children. I would like to thank all parents who have helped during the year and who have attended P&C meetings each month. To Laura and Lauren in Year 6, thank you for preparing and serving the free healthy breakfast to our children every Wednesday morning. And a very special thank you to Mr Richard and his wonderful staff. Thank you for all you have done for our children. You all make this school such a wonderful place. We are blessed to be part of this school. Mariana Vulivuli P&C President	Student representative’s message We would like to thank Mr Richard, all the teachers who have taught us over the years and all the parents who have helped out in the school. There are so many wonderful memories that we will treasure as we leave the school. Brookie is a fantastic school because of all the diverse cultures. We have a great anti-bullying program and a great buddy system which all help to create a nice community in the school with everyone getting on well with each other. But the one thing we will miss about being at this great school is the kindness and caring that is shared by everyone. Finally we would like to congratulate the newly elected captains and prefects for 2008 and wish them all the very best. Brookvale School Captains Our school captains 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 Brookvale P.S. in March 2007 had 194 regular class enrolments and seven students in a Support Class Language. Six students each term from local schools have half day attendance in a Support Class Reading. Over 60% of students come from a non-English speaking background, with the largest ethnic group being Tongan.
Student attendance profile Students travelling overseas on family holidays again had an impact on attendance patterns. Attendance rates for boys and girls were similar. Lateness to school was successfully targeted in 2007 (see Target 2, page 8). 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 2007 class size audit conducted on Monday 26 March 2007. Structure of classes Classes were organised into six regular and two multi-grade classes. Class sizes in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 were smaller than the rest of the school. There were 2 support classes.	Specialist teachers are provided in the following areas: • Reading Recovery • Learning assistance • English as a second language (ESL) • Tongan and Italian languages • Art and Craft • Library • Dance and Singing • Band and Instrument tuition Staff information It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all staff must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies. Teaching establishment Staff retention Our Assistant Principal Janice Wright retired after many years of exemplary service to the children of Brookvale PS. She was replaced by Dianne de Graaf. One teacher remained on maternity leave. Delia Han, after almost twenty years of wonderful service to the children of Brookvale Public School as a school assistant, also retired. Staff attendance Staff have access to leave entitlements such as sick leave. In 2007 the average daily attendance rate for staff, as determined by the Department, was 96.5%.
Teacher qualifications All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools. School performance 2007 2007 was another year of outstanding achievement in a range of areas at Brookvale Public School. The school continues to thrive as its reputation is enhanced by the achievements of its students, the dedication of its staff and the support of the parents. Achievements Arts The talents of our students and dedicated teachers were showcased in the musical production of “Rookie High” in September. The whole school was involved in this fantastic production which was received with great acclamation by the audience of both the matinee performance and the sold out evening performance. Our special thanks goes to Maria Bonacci for writing and directing this fantastic production. Rookie High Beat Boxers Other highlights of the year include the outstanding performances of the senior and junior choir at the Warringah Eisteddfod and the band at the Northern-Beaches Band Championships. The Leolelei Singers performance at a citizenship ceremony at Warringah Council was greatly appreciated by the council staff and new citizens. Year 6 created an outstanding mural on the theme of “Our Caring School” which has been hung in our morning assembly area (see Respect and Responsibility, page 7).	Sport In the area of sport, outstanding performances were delivered by the Grand Final winning Junior B1 and senior B2 netball teams in the PSSA competition. Of the many outstanding individual performances, Jack Maguire and Soane Sime represented the school at the Regional Athletics carnival in shot put, while Ivan and Ana Peric represented at the Regional Swimming Carnival. All students participated in a weekly gymnastics program (Term 3) and a weekly swimming program (Term 4). Year 6 participated in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup and skills days were held in Soccer and Rugby League. Academic In the Basic Skills Test, the performance of students is reported in skill bands ranging from Skill Band 1 (lowest) to Skill Band 5 (highest for Year 3) or Skill Band 6 (highest for Year 5). Student performance in this testing was at or above state average in Literacy and Numeracy for students in years 3 and 5. Literacy – BST Year 3 The state average mark in Literacy in Year 3 was 51.0 with the school average mark being 50.6. Students in bands 1 and 2 will be given further remedial assistance to improve their performance.
Literacy – BST Year 5 The state average mark in Literacy in Year 5 was 57.3 with the school average mark being 59.6. There were no students in bands 1 and 2 in Year 5 in Literacy. BST progress in literacy Average progress in literacy for matched students is shown in the table below. *Like school group There has been growth well above state average in matched students from years 3 to 5 for the past five years. Numeracy – BST Year 3 The state average mark in Numeracy in Year 3 was 53.1 with the school average mark being 51.9. The students in Bands 1 and 2 will be given further remedial assistance to improve their performance.	Numeracy – BST Year 5 The state average mark in Numeracy in Year 5 was 61.9 with the school average mark being 67.3 There are no students in Band 1 or 2 for Numeracy in Year 5.
BST progress in numeracy Average progress in numeracy for matched students is described in the table below. *Like school group There has been outstanding growth in Numeracy in matched students from Years 3 to 5 over the past five years. 3W students hard at work National benchmarks The Commonwealth Government sets minimum desirable standards for reading, writing and numeracy at particular ages. These are referred to as national benchmarks. The performance of the students in our school in the Year 3 and the Year 5 Basic Skills Test (BST) is compared to these benchmarks. The percentages of our students achieving at or above these benchmarks are reported below. Percentage of Year 3 students in our school achieving benchmarks in 2006 and 2007	Percentage of Year 5 students in our school achieving benchmarks in 2006 and 2007 Percentage of Year 5 students meeting national benchmarks * National benchmarks were not available at the time of printing this report Significant programs and initiatives Aboriginal education The year has been a positive one in Aboriginal Studies with all students engaged in a variety of learning experiences. All classes produced art and craft works with an aboriginal perspective. Senior students appreciated artworks by contemporary Aboriginal artists. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander week was celebrated through writing activities. Years 5 and 6 visited Aboriginal sites at Manly Dam. They saw rock carvings, sharpening grooves and hand stencils and plants used by Aboriginal people. Year 6 went on an excursion to Gumbooya Reserve where they looked at rock carvings and middens. Middens were also found at Brookvale Creek. Year 6 also participated in the Guringai Writing Festival hosted by Willoughby Council , writing on the theme of Reconciliation. Trumayne Niha was the primary winner of the writing competition. Acknowledgement of Country was included in all weekly assemblies and on Presentation Night. Multicultural education Over 60% of students at Brookvale P.S. come from a language background other than English. 30 different language groups are represented in the school. The school has an ESL teacher 4 days per week. Italian is taught from Kindergarten to year 6 as a language other than English. Tongan is taught as a community language and is timetabled parallel to Italian. The school celebrated Harmony Day on 21 March, with Brooky students celebrating their cultural diversity with bead making, classroom activities and an orange mufti day. Moana Nuku in year 5 spoke on the subject of Harmony at a citizenship ceremony at Warringah Council.
Respect and responsibility 2007 saw a continuation of the proactive school policies to eradicate bullying and teach respect and responsibility. At the beginning of the year all Year 6 were trained as Peer Mediators, assisting students throughout the year to resolve bullying issues and conflict. In Term 1 all classes had a series of lessons from the “Our Caring School” program which focussed on bullying and conflict resolution. The Stop, Think, Do Program was successfully implemented (see Arts, page 4). Peer Mediation posters are put up all around the school In term 2 the emphasis was on Peer Support, with both Years 5 and 6 taking part in leadership training. K-6 Peer Support groups were held each Monday during the term. A smooth transition to school for Kindergarten students was facilitated by the buddy program with Year 5. A weekly playgroup was trialled in term 4 to facilitate a smooth transition to school. It will continue in 2008 (see Target 3, page 10). Several classes in the school participated in “National Families Week” drawing competition run by Brookvale Centacare. Twelve children received merit certificates at a special afternoon tea to which their parents were invited. Paris Fraser in Year 4 was the overall winner of the competition and received a nice pack of prizes. The school participated in the National Safe Schools essay competition. Wensy Ng in Year 6, writing about why our school is so caring and supportive of its students, was national runner up, winning an ipod for herself and $2000 for the school.	Other Programs Environment Thanks to a Commonwealth Government Community Water Grant, the school was able to install an 18,000 litre underground water tank to water the school playing fields and a 5,000 litre water tank to flush the boys toilets. Our school now recycles water, food scraps, batteries, ink cartridges, paper and cardboard. Saturday Disney featured the school’s environmental programs on Channel 7, including interviews with some of our students. An Eco Grant of $2500 was received from Warringah Council, allowing the school to participate in a number of environmental excursions and activities at no cost to parents. From this Grant an Eco Club was formed with Year 2 and 3 students establishing a worm farm, working in our enviro-garden and keeping the school tidy. Years 3 and 4 travelled to Duffys Forest, where they went on a bug hunt and bush walk, studied local native reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds and went bushwalking. Year 6 students were once again involved in Streamwatch activities, monitoring the water quality in Brookvale Creek. Year 6 students also made lanterns for the Treasured Water Ceremony at Manly Dam. Some Year 5 and year 6 students attended the ceremony which was held to emphasise the value of the Manly Dam environment and its Aboriginal heritage. Students in front of a fish lantern at the Treasured Water Ceremony Years 5 and 6 participated in the rewarding World Environment Day Expo at Dee Why. They also participated in a sustainable thinking workshop at school. As a result of this workshop, an environmental audit of the school was conducted. The school entered its audit results in a competition run by the Sydney Morning Herald and was chosen as the winner, receiving a hot water system as a prize.
Excursions In order to give students a wide range of educational and social experiences a comprehensive program of excursions is integrated into teaching and learning programs. Many of the excursions are subsidised by fundraising by students, by contributions from the P&C and allocations from the school’s management plan. Highlights in 2007 were the Year 4, 5, 6 overnight Gold Rush excursion to Bathurst and Hill End and the three day Year 6 excursion to Canberra and the Snowy Mountains. Thanks to the generosity of the Brookvale business community, $7000 was raised in a raffle to subsidise the cost of this excursion. Student newspapers reporting on these excursions were written, laid out with photographs and published by Year 6. They were distributed to all families in the school. Recounts were placed on our web site. Year 6 ready for their ski lesson at Mt Selwyn Information & Communication Technology ( ICT ) Computers are used in all classrooms by teachers to support learning in many key learning areas. A large range of computer software is available to support teaching & learning activities in English, Maths, Science, Human Society & Environment, Personal Development and Creative & Performing Arts. Computers are also used during children’s lessons by support teachers, in Library for research as well as in Tongan & Italian classes.	Year 6 gifted & talented children volunteer as members of the Student Research Team. Areas of responsibility for Student Research Team members include developing skills using the video and digital cameras, DVD burners and scanners. The team is also responsible for further developing the school website where they learn to crop and alter photographs, layout and link web pages. The extensive school website continues to bring interest to our school from educators both in Australia and overseas. In 2007 Brookvale participated in the Success for Boys Program (see Target 3, page 9), developing the use of ICT in classrooms. Every teacher was trained through inservices to explore the use of computers & software to engage boys more with learning and classroom activities. Every classroom teacher developed skills with technology and integrated the software into their teaching. At the conclusion of the Success for Boys program, each class teacher presented positive reports which included many successes in improving opportunities and outcomes for boys. Progress on 2007 targets Target 1 Improve Reading Comprehension Our achievements include: • Teaching staff being trained in strategies to teach comprehension. • Class teachers completing an evaluation and sharing their targeted comprehension strategies and the successes that were achieved. • Teachers reporting an improvement in performance in comprehension items in yearly and half yearly English testing. Target 2 Reduce Student Lateness Our achievements include: • Establishing a baseline for student lateness • Including “Late to School” on yearly and half yearly student reports. • Targeting students who were persistently late to school. • Reduction of interruption to classes by students arriving late.
Target 3 Improve Boys Education Our achievements include: • Completion of the ICT module from the Success for Boys program and development of HSIE units of work using computer software. • Staging of Year 6 clown show for the whole school and making a DVD of the show. • A strong performance from boys in Years 3 and 5 Basic Skills Testing. Key evaluations It is a requirement for all NSW public schools to conduct at least two annual evaluations – one related to educational and management practice and the other related to curriculum. In 2007 our school carried out evaluations of Administration and Reading Comprehension Educational and management practice Administration Background Due to increasing administrative and compliance requirements of the Department Education and Training, leading to an increased workload for office staff, a review was conducted into office management and administrative practice. Findings and conclusions • Parent evaluation revealed 93% of parents thought the office staff were courteous and helpful. • Priority was to be given to training of office staff in multi-skilling. • Changes were made to stores ordering procedures and work practices for office staff. • Late passes were issued from the office for children late to school ( see Target 2 page 8) Future directions • Additional staff to be employed if enrolments fall below 201 in 2008. • A work area for the Senior Administrative Manager will be created away from front office. • Training in multi-skilling will be continued in 2008. • A minor capital works submission will be made for an extension of the office to include a sick bay.	Curriculum Reading Comprehension Background Analysis of school based testing and Basic Skills testing revealed that reading comprehension, particularly in the early and middle primary years, was an area requiring further development. Improvement in reading comprehension was included as a target for 2007 (see Target 1, page 8) Findings and conclusions • Teacher evaluations revealed that all teachers benefited from the professional development they received in the use of explicit strategies in the teaching of reading comprehension. • All teachers targeted a particular strategy appropriate to their class and stage level. • All teachers reported improvements in skill levels of students in reading comprehension. This was demonstrated in ongoing assessment and in yearly and half yearly English testing. Future directions • Teachers will continue to implement explicit strategies for the teaching of reading comprehension in their classrooms. • Analysis of National Testing data for Literacy in 2008 should reveal an improvement in reading comprehension. • To further develop comprehension in oral/aural areas the school will focus on Talking and Listening as a target in 2008 (see Target 1, page 10)
Parent, student, and teacher satisfaction In 2007 the school sought the opinions of parents, students and teachers about the school. Their responses are presented below. Parents continue to show a high level of satisfaction with the school and the opportunities that are offered to their children. Some of the responses of parents include: • 94% report that their children enjoy being at this school. • 92% report that teachers take a personal interest in their students and treat them fairly. • 91% report that teachers take time to help students learn and explain things clearly. • 89% report that teachers act to prevent bullying and help to make the students feel safe. Students in Years 2-6 were surveyed on a 1-5 scale with neutral responses not reported below. Some of responses include: • 88% enjoy being at this school (2% don’t). • 87% think that teachers treat them fairly (8% don’t). • 85% report that teachers help them when they have trouble with their work (4% don’t). • 90% report that they work hard in class (4% don’t). Teachers continue to report a high level of satisfaction with the school, its executive, the teaching and learning programs and the support and friendship offered by all staff members. School development 2006 – 2008 Targets for 2008 reflect school strategic priorities, which are: Literacy, Numeracy, Student Welfare and Technology. Targets for 2008 Target 1 Improve Talking and Listening Strategies to achieve this target include: • Inservice teaching staff on programming for oral language using ESL scales. • Implement Northern Sydney Region “Talking to Learn” program. Our success will be measured by: • Teacher evaluation of their implementation of strategies to teach Talking and Listening. • Improved assessment of oral language. • Oral presentations by all students will be given in Term 3, with the best students to present their speeches on assembly.	Target 2 Improve Numeracy Skills Strategies to achieve this target include: • Train a new Count Me In Too facilitator. • Inservice staff on new strategies to implement Count Me In Too. • Participate in World Maths Day. • Use LOTE time for remedial maths tuition. Our success will be measured by: • Improved results in National Testing, especially in year 3. • High levels of participation in World Maths Day. • Improved implementation of Count Me In Too in K-2 classes. Target 3 Improve Kindy Orientation Program Strategies to achieve this target include: • Hold Kindy Open Mornings in Term 2 and 3 and an Orientation Morning in Term 4. • Establish a weekly playgroup for pre-schoolers to facilitate a smoother transition to school. • Implement the Better Buddies program for Kindy and year 5. Our success will be measured by: • Increased enrolments in Kindergarten. • A smoother transition to school for pre- schoolers. • A more effective buddies program between Kindy and Year 5. • An evaluation by Kindy parents and Year 5 students. Year 5 student with her buddy
Target 4 Target inappropriate student behaviour Strategies to achieve this target include: • Students who do not respond to Peer Mediation and Stop, Think, Do programs will be identified for additional behavioural support. • DSC and Northern Sydney behaviour team to run small group social skills sessions for targeted students. • Liaison with parents to implement Stop, Think, Do at home. Our success will be measured by: • Improved behaviour and cooperation of targeted students. • Fewer detentions needed for these students. • Targeted students will develop strategies to avoid conflict. 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 2007 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meeting of the School Council. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.	Professional learning Staff at Brookvale PS undertook DET mandated training in Child Protection, Anaphylaxis, Emergency Care and Resuscitation and in new reporting requirements. School based priorities included strategies to teach Reading Comprehension (Target 1, page 8) Teachers received on going support in the use of learning software to support class programs ( see ICT, page 8). Professional development in technology for support staff in Oasis continues to be a priority. Approximately $430 per teacher was spent from school funds on professional learning. It should be noted that the Reading Comprehension and Success for Boys programs were run at no cost to the school. Approximately $230 was spent per administrative staff member. About this report In preparing this report, the self-evaluation committee has gathered information from evaluations conducted during the year and analysed other information about the school's practices and student learning outcomes. The self-evaluation committee and school planning committee have determined targets for the school's future development. Darren Greenow, President, School Council Mariana Mackeen, President, P & C Steve Richard, Principal Chris Taylor, staff representative Maria Bonacci, staff representative Katie Hurd, staff representative Jackie Cosentino, parent representative Tracey Kew, parent representative Dean Anderson, parent representative School contact information Brookvale Public School Old Pittwater Rd Brookvale, 2100 Ph: 99054168 Fax: 99057780 www.brookvale-p.schools.nsw.edu.au School Code: 1379 Parents can find out more information about Annual School Reports, how to interpret information in the reports and have the opportunity to provide feedback about these reports at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/asr