|
|
Annual Report
ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
2007
Introduction
Enrolments
Enrolment Policy
Staff
School Standards
HSC Results
Post Graduation
Community Satisfaction
Policies and Procedures
Improvement Targets
Finance
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
In compliance with legislative requirements under The Education Amendment (Non-Government Schools Registration) Act 2004 this annual report for 2007 provides members of the school and wider community with information regarding the school’s distinctiveness, policies, performance and development. The school has policies and procedures in place to ensure its participation in annual reporting to publicly disclose the educational and financial performance measures and policies of the school as identified by the minister.
Illawarra Christian School seeks to provide Bible based Christian education for students from Prep (Kindergarten minus one) to Year 12 at both its Cordeaux Campus at Cordeaux Heights and Tongarra Campus at Albion Park.
In compliance with state legislation, the Illawarra Christian School was re-registered and accredited with the NSW Board of Studies during 2005 and is a member of Christian Education National Ltd (previously known as Christian Parent Controlled Schools Ltd) and the Australian Association of Christian Schools.
Our school strives to ensure that:
our Bible based Christian faith is applied in all areas of school life
students are encouraged and enabled to develop and use their God given abilities
parents are an integral part of governance, decision making and daily operations of the school community
we delight in positive and productive relationships between staff, students, parents and the local communities in which our school functions
The 2007 school year provided another year of blessing and encouragement as we enjoyed God’s goodness and grace to us as a school community.
ENROLMENTS
Our school enrolments at Commonwealth Census date, August, 2007 were 408 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 at Cordeaux Campus and 474 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 at Tongarra Campus, a total of 882.
The average student attendance rate for Cordeaux Campus for 2007 was 94.77% and for Tongarra Campus it was 93.01%.
At Cordeaux Campus 30 students completed Year 6 in 2007, with 23 of those students continuing in Year 7. A total of 25 students enrolled in Year 7 at the commencement of 2008. At Tongarra Campus 44 students completed Year 6 in 2006 with 41 of those continuing in Year 7. A total of 46 students commenced Year 7 in 2008.
At Cordeaux Campus our 32 Year 10 students translated into 35 in Year 11, 6 of whom were new to the school, and 2 transferred from our Tongarra Campus. At Tongarra Campus our 52 Year 10 students translated into 41 in Year 11, 5 of whom were new students to our campus.
Out of 32 students who completed their School Certificate at Cordeaux Campus in 2005, 28 remained at school, completing their HSC in 2007. At Tongarra Campus 32 students completed their School Certificate in 2005, 19 of whom remained at school completing their HSC in 2007.
ENROLMENT POLICY
Families enquiring about enrolment are provided with an Enrolment Prospectus containing information about selected school policies, student codes of behaviour, an outline of our model of Christian Parent Controlled education, the procedure for enrolment, a current fees schedule and an enrolment application form.
As a part of the enrolment process prospective students are assessed by the Principal’s delegate, and the parents/guardians of the students are interviewed by the Principal or his delegate and the school Registrar to ensure that they understand the school’s model of education and are willing to support that model.
All enrolment decisions are at the sole discretion of the School Board, whose authority is generally delegated to the school Registrar. The following guidelines are taken into account when considering applications for enrolment: Illawarra Christian School’s Biblical ethos and constitution; the recommendations of those responsible for advising the Board; the impact of the enrolment on the welfare of each class and the whole school community; stewardship of available resources to ensure the viability of each class and the whole school community; the capacity of the school to cater for the individual needs of the student, a response of justice, loving kindness and pastoral care.
There are no prerequisites for continuing enrolment.
STAFF
The number of teachers on staff continued to increase. During 2007 we had a combined teaching staff of 88 teachers (47 at Cordeaux and 41 at Tongarra). Taking into account the fact that some teach part time, we had the equivalent of 68.5 full time teachers (33.75 at Cordeaux and 34.75 at Tongarra). The average teacher attendance rate was 93%. The proportion of teaching staff retained from 2007 was 90.0%.
These figures include our class teachers for Primary/Infants and Secondary as well as our Librarians and Special Education teachers. In addition we had teacher's aides in Primary and Infants classrooms, Special Education, Library, Science, Food Technology and Wood Technology. Our Pastoral Care Coordinator was employed 2.0 days per week at each campus.
All of our teaching staff fulfilled the qualifications criteria set by the NSW Board of Studies and the NSW Institute of Teachers to teach in non-government schools. To our knowledge, during 2007, 5 members of staff were enrolled in post-graduate studies in education and educational leadership, 2 were enrolled in theological studies, and 3 provisionally qualified teachers were enrolled in graduate diploma of education programmes.
During 2007 we continued to provide opportunity for our teachers to:
be challenged in their understanding and application of our model of Christ centred education
participate in professional development both within and beyond our school community (including staff being involved in the marking of School Certificate and Higher School Certificate examination scripts) to ensure that their educational knowledge and practice remained current
be stimulated and resourced to ensure that they provide the best possible education for the students at our school
We continued to work hard at facilitating and training staff in specific areas to ensure that they were well equipped to achieve these goals. Staff valued opportunities to participate in daily staff devotions, both formal and informal mentoring and encouragement with and by their colleagues.
We continued to be delighted by the quality and commitment of our staff, who worked diligently to provide the highest quality of nurture and teaching for the children of our school. Again during 2007 they were committed to supporting and developing our distinctively Christian model of education as they sought to serve God in the ministry of Christian education.
SCHOOL STANDARDS
The Scriptures make it clear that God’s people are to bring every aspect of life into conformity with His will as expressed in the Bible. This includes striving to faithfully serve Him in the education of our children. Within our school, parents and teachers work together to assist, support and train our children as they develop and use the abilities and personality that God has given them.
We need to evaluate our performance and standards by comparing with state and national educational norms. One important guide is the academic standard achieved by our school in the state-wide LANNA and Basic Skills (for Years 3 & 5 at Cordeaux) testing of Literacy and Numeracy for all students in Years 3, 5 and 7.
The mean results provided below are based on a comparison with state norms within a similar socio-economic group.
At Cordeaux campus the literacy results ranged from average in Year 3 to 2.9% above average in Year 7. The numeracy results ranged from 1.0% above average in Year 3 to 9.7% above average in Year 7. This compares with 2006 where reading results ranged from 1.7% to 12.3% above average, spelling results ranged from 2.5% below to 4.5% above average and numeracy results ranged from 2.9% to 6.4% above average.
The literacy results at Tongarra campus ranged from 7.9% in Year 3 to 1.5% in Year 7 below average in reading, and from 8.6% below average in Year 3 to 3.0% above average in Year 7 in spelling. The numeracy results ranged from 10.5% below average in Year 3 to 1.7% above average in Year 7. This compares with 2006 where reading ranged from 3.4% to 1.2% below average, spelling ranged from 4.2% to 1.4% below average and numeracy results ranged from 3.6% to 1.0% below average.
Once again Year 10 students from both campuses achieved very pleasing grades in English, Mathematics, Science, Australian History and Geography, and Computing Skills in the 2007 School Certificate Examinations.
HSC
Another important indicator of the performance levels is the results achieved by our students in the 2007 Higher School Certificate.
Last year we again presented candidates from both campuses for the Higher School Certificate. Of those students who completed their HSC many achieved a University Admissions Index of which they can be well pleased, with a significant number of students achieving UAI’s in the 80’s and 90’s. Throughout the range of UAI scores the great majority of our students worked hard and should be congratulated. 0077_IMG_0684 (WinCE).JPG
Of the total of 105 examinations sat by students at Tongarra campus 76.2% obtained results in Bands 4, 5 and 6 (the top 3 of the 6 result bands). This compares with 2006 where students sat for 120 examinations with 73% obtaining results in Bands 4, 5 and 6.
Of the total of 170 examinations sat by students at Cordeaux campus 86.5% obtained results in Bands 4, 5 and 6. This compares with 2005 where students sat for 112 examinations with 90% obtaining results in Bands 4, 5 and 6.
POST GRADUATION
Most of our students applied for and gained university and TAFE entrance for the course of their choice. Nineteen students received offers of early entry to university. Of the 32 HSC candidates from Cordeaux Campus 17 applied for and accepted entry to the university course of their choice. At Tongarra campus 13 of the 21 HSC candidates successfully applied for and gained university entry. In addition to this three students across the school gained cadetships to attend university, 5 chose to attend TAFE, 3 enrolled in apprenticeships, 7 are involved in work/traineeships in churches or attending Bible College, 3 are employed in the armed or emergency services. Anecdotal information indicates that all of our Year 12 students of 2007 are now involved in further education through university, TAFE or traineeships, or have entered the workforce. Anecdotal information indicates that students who left school following completion of the School Certificate have continued their studies through TAFE, have gained apprenticeships or have moved to other schools.
In addition to standardised tests and external examinations our students continued to achieve a high level of success in interschool activities within the region, state and nation. While not being exhaustive the list below provides a guide to the breadth of experiences that form an integral part of our educational program.
Activities included:
Various state and national competitions in Mathematics, Science, English and computer skills at primary and secondary level
Mathematics Challenge Competition and camp for gifted students
Gifted and Talented programmes
Book week celebrations
Premiers Reading Scheme
Numerous school and general safety training activities
Life Education van
Public speaking activities and competitions at class, interclass and interschool level. Our school continued to achieve a very high standard in public speaking
Debating at school and interschool levels. Our school continued to achieve a very high standard in debating
The Quota Club Student of the Year Quest
Science Discovery Programme
Participation in service activities within the school and local area
End of year celebration and concert
Primary and secondary band and choir
Clean up Australia
Participation in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine, MS Readathon, and Jeans for Genes Day
Fund raising for the Bible Society and TEAR Fund
Concert raising awareness of the plight of The Invisible Children in Uganda
Concert for Voice of the Martyrs
EXO day – student led celebration of “life is excellent”
Student leadership programmes
Various cultural visits and performances
Numerous school and interschool sporting activities
School, zone, state and national swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals
Primary School Sports Association events
Continuation and extension of an after school sports programme for Kindergarten to Year 6 students
It continues to be a delight to see our students achieving at a very high level in a range of academic, cultural, creative and sporting areas of the curriculum.
During 2007 we continued our participating at both campuses in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, with 4 students working on Gold level, 10 on silver level and 15 on bronze level. Of these students, 3 completed the requirements of gold level, 10 completed the requirements of silver level and 15 completed the requirements of bronze level. This program has provided valuable opportunities for our students to participate in service, skill development and outdoor eduction activities.
0072_IMG_0053 (WinCE).JPGOur camping program continued to be a valuable part of the school curriculum. Students in Years 6, 8 and 10 participated in programs including outdoor education, challenge and community building activities, while being challenged to greater Christian commitment and encouraged to love and serve their fellow students. Year 11 students participated in a senior studies camp designed to equip them with study skills required to effectively prepare for the HSC, while continuing to encourage them to develop and use their abilities and personality to serve God.
In addition to the consistent Christ-centred focus that underpins all subjects taught at the school, students continued to be encouraged to develop and demonstrate Christian character through a number of initiatives implemented across all grades. These included:
Teacher-led devotions each morning, bringing a Christian focus to the start of the day and allowing the students to share their needs and pray for one another
A school-developed Biblical Studies program operating throughout Infants, Primary and Junior Secondary grades, providing a firm foundation to underpin students’ faith
The Student Council, providing opportunities for students to develop Christian leadership through service to their fellow students, the school and wider community
The buddy system between grades, encouraging students to care and pray for their younger colleagues. It continues to be a great delight to see Year 12 students spending quality time with their Kindergarten buddies, Year 11 students spending time with Year 7 students and other such links.
The Year 12 mentoring program, linking a teacher to individual Higher School Certificate students, providing support and encouragement within a caring Christian relationship
COMMUNITY SATISFACTION
In compliance with Government legislation we have sought to ascertain the level of satisfaction with the school community of school parents, staff and students. This was achieved through surveys of parents, past parents, staff and the students from Year 3 to Year 12.
Surveys indicated that parent satisfaction levels were above average to high in all categories at both campuses. The highest scores recorded for Tongarra Campus were in: parent participation; performance of staff; quality of teaching; teaching of values and how Jesus’ teachings relate to life; the nurturing of the students; school student reporting; the community events and the welcoming nature of the campus. At Cordeaux Campus the highest scores recorded were in: performance of staff; quality of teaching; teaching of values and how Jesus’ teachings relate to life; the nurturing of the students; school student reporting and childrens’ relationships with staff.
Surveys indicated that staff satisfaction levels were average to high in all categories at both campuses, with the highest scores being recorded in: staff caring for students; the school being a safe place; availability of curriculum documentation and the level of administrative support at both campuses.
Surveys indicated that student satisfaction levels were average to high in all categories at both campuses, with the highest scores at both campuses being recorded in: school as a safe, caring and nurturing environment; challenging educational standards; teaching of Christian values; reporting to students of their progress; school rules being fair.
SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
During 2008 the Board and senior staff continued their process of reviewing school policies, updating as required to remain current with new legislative requirements and the changing needs of our school. The main policies that were reviewed were the Sunsafe Policy, Excursions Policy, Staff Policy, Child Protection Policy, School Uniform and Dress Code, Enrolment Policy and Values Statement.
The current school policies can be found here.
IMPROVEMENT TARGETS
Areas for improvement in 2008 include:
All classes from Years 6 to 12 at Tongarra campus have been double streamed from the beginning of 2008, therefore providing smaller classes and the associated increase in teacher time and subject offering for students
Kindergarten, Year 7,9 and 10 at Cordeaux Campus have been double streamed from the beginning of 2008
Kindergarten at Tongarra has been double streamed from the commencement of 2008
Implementation of a Prep (Kindergarten minus 1) class and facilities at both campuses to commence at the beginning of 2008.
Increased access for Senior Secondary students to distance education taught from a Christian perspective
Increased access for Senior Secondary students to VET courses
Increased access to ICT for students and staff
Ongoing refinement of the Secondary learning centre and learning support opportunities for students with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Increasing the effectiveness of playground space at both campuses, including completing the construction of covered walkways at Tongarra and the construction of a COLA (covered outdoor learning area) at Cordeaux.
We will continue to refine school policies and practices to ensure that they:
Comply with current legislation
Are consistent with our distinctively Christian model of education
Reflect best practice
Facilitate our catering effectively for the needs of each student within our school community.
FINANCE
Coming Soon!
CONCLUSION
During 2007 the senior educational leadership underwent a restructure and as a consequence a Principal and Deputy Principal were appointed to each campus with one of the principals given executive responsibilities to oversight the whole school. As a consequence of this Mr Geoff Hewitt after twenty years of faithful Christian service as Principal at Illawarra Christian School left the school and has since been appointed as Principal at Emmanuel Christian School in Tasmania. The community farewelled Mr Hewitt at a special function early in 2008. We express our thankfulness to God for his leadership over the majority of the life of our school and pray that he will be richly blessed as he moves into this next phase of his ministry.
We would like to thank the staff, parents and students of our school community for their commitment and hard work during 2007. It is an exciting privilege to be a part of a community where serving God is the central focus of all that we do in our work and relationships. We trust that during 2008 we will continue to strive to serve God together as parents and teachers working in partnership to train our children to think, act and relate christianly. It is important that we remain vigilant in maintaining and enhancing those characteristics that make our school distinctively Christian as we partner together in the task of educating our children.
Let us pray that God will continue to bless our school community and that we will seek to be faithful to Him and to the task He has given us.
Ken Bosward (Board Chairman)
Greg Batten (Executive Principal)
|
