2011 Annual School Report - Catholic Schools Office Maitland ...

2011 Annual School ReportSt PIUS X PRIMARY WINDALE12 Lake StreetWindale NSW 2306windale.mn.catholic.edu.au

Messages from Key School BodiesPrincipalIt is my pleasure to present the Annual Report for 2011 for St Pius X Primary School, Windale. This school is a Kindergarten toYear Six systemic school of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. St Pius X is a Christian school in the Catholic tradition with a richheritage and strong sense of community.Through a dynamic partnership between students, parents, staff, parish members and the wider community, we challenge andsupport one another towards growth and full potential.The school gives new meaning to "child centred" and recognises the uniqueness of each child and strives to fulfil the specificneeds of every child through the formation and imparting of appropriate educational programmes. Our aim is to provide a soundeducational framework that will equip pupils with the skills to make a worthwhile contribution to society and ultimately achievepersonal development.The school is proud of all students for their performance and participation in both school system and state based initiatives.The school is indebted to the many parents and grandparents who give so freely of their time and efforts to support the staff andstudents in all ongoing initiatives.I would like to acknowledge the staff for their ongoing commitments to the students and their families. It is this collaborativepartnership that ensures that St Pius X will continue to grow as a learning community.This document will assist you in looking at our achievements as well as planning for the future.St Pius X Windale is a school where children are loved and nurtured.Our school is a gift to the Windale Community and Parish and is based on the Gospel values of life, hope and truth.Mr John WakelyPrincipalP & FThe St Pius X Parents and Friends (P & F) endeavour to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month during each term to discusscurrent issues regarding day to day school activities and to decide on and plan future endeavours such as fund raising events.Fund raising events during 2011 included a Mother's Day stall and Father's Day stall.Natalie HolmesPresidentStudent Leaders/SRCAt St Pius X all children in year 6 each Year are designated as leaders.Students on a rotation basis perform the duties that would normally be assigned to school captains eg. greeting and welcomingvisitors, reading and leading at Liturgies and school Masses. Speeches of welcome and thanks to any special visitors to theschool.Children from Year 6 act as role models for the younger members of the school community and have represented St Pius X Schoolin the wider community on many occasions.During Term 4, Year 5 pupils travelled to Fingal Bay to participate in a Leadership Camp to prepare for their leadership roleANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 2

Religious Dimension and Culture of School LifeCatholic IdentityThe school has an interesting history dating back to 1955. Prior to that date, the catholic children of Windale (called Surprise Townuntil 1951), were educated at the local state school, or travelled to neighboring schools at Charlestown or Adamstown. Originallythe school was conducted in the present church building, which was opened in 1959.Three sisters of St Joseph formed the first staff residing at Swansea convent and travelling to and from Windale daily, until July of1955 when St Joseph's convent was opened.During 2010 regular liturgical celebrations were held. Annual highlights are the opening and closing of the school year Liturgies.During the final liturgy Year 6 Pupils graduated.The school continues to maintain a closer relationship with the Sisters of St Joseph who were the first educators at St Pius XSchool, and who still live in close proximity to the school.Other liturgical activities are held for Anzac Day and St Pius X Feast Day as well as on special occasions to pray for those affectedby natural disasters. Mother's and Father's Days are recognized both by liturgy and secular events.The School as part of Parish and Diocesan LifeAs a Parish school, the spiritual growth and welfare of students was shared by the Parish Priest, Principal, staff and parents andthe wider parish community. Each year the school is the location for a sacramental program held on a SundayAll classrooms have sacred spaces that clearly display the Catholic identity of our school as well as being a focus for prayers andpetitions. Symbols depicting our beliefs were prominently displayed throughout the school as proud symbols of our Catholicismincluding a sacred space in the staff room.Pupils from Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Paul’s and Saint Joseph’s High School visited and interacted with the students. The wholeschool travelled to Aberdeen to visit Saint Joseph’s pupils and stayed overnight in a rural setting.Opportunities were provided on a regular basis for daily formal prayer and liturgical celebrations.Teaching of ReligionThe Diocesan K-12 Religious Syllabus is implemented in all grades. In addition the use of K-6 Foundation Statements which weredeveloped by the Religious EducationDepartment of the Catholic Schools Office and link directly to this syllabus was beneficial.Each class has a structured lesson each day that develops the knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith.The Religious Education Co-ordinators attended all professional development days organised by the Catholic Schools Office. Theco-ordinator shared knowledge gained during this professional development time as well as suggestions to enhance the teachingof Religion in the school.Special celebrations related to the church seasons, sacramental programmes and liturgies involving grandparents and parentshave been highlights of the year. Religion lessons were held daily in all classrooms to ensure that students continued to developan understanding and knowledge of their faiths and Faith Development ProgramsStaff spiritual development remained a priority. Opportunities were provided for a formal prayer and reflection or meditation on aregular basis, with staff members taking turns to lead these prayer sessions. The staff held a retreat day in Term 4 facilitated by MrJim Quillinan.All Faith Development programmes provided by the Catholic Schools were advertised and staff were encouraged to attend.ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 3

All policies relating to discipline are based on procedural fairness and are available from administration as well as from the schoolwebsite.In 2011 the staff held a Saturday Inservice to examine the Positive Behaviour Support Program.In compliance with the N.S.W. Reform Act of 1990, corporal punishment is not used at St Pius X for the management of students.Neither are parents able to use corporal punishment of their child/children at this school.Complaints and GrievancesThe parents and students of St Pius X Windale have all been informed of the processes and procedures for raising and respondingto matters of concern. Initial concerns are handled by the class teachers while more serious issues are directed to the Principal.Currently these procedures are incorporated into the Pastoral Care Policy.St Pius X Windale School has adopted the CSO Complaints Management Policy. This policy outlines the steps to be followedwhen a complaint or grievance has been received from a parent, student or member of staff. It stresses the importance ofprocedural fairness provisions in addressing the complaint. A copy of the draft policy can be obtained from the school or from theCatholic Schools Office.In the foyer a Pamphlet entitled “What to do If you wish to complain” is available.Student AchievementsAcademic AchievementsSt Pius X Primary School has a strong commitment to the delivery of teaching and learning programmes that cater to the diverseneeds and abilities of our children.The following activities related to teaching and learning were highlights of academic activities in 2011 Language Assessments. Intensive language programs PAL reading Focus on reading activities Lexia Individual education plans Ants in the Apple Spelling Programs Normalative a diagnostic assessment of student progress Individual Education Plan MeetingThe results from language assessments were outstanding showing significant growth in core language results.Lexia also demonstrated significant student growth.Due to the small number of students sitting the Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Tests a statistical analysis is unreliable. The NAPLANresults do, however, indicate skills that need development in the co-hort.With such data available to teachers the various tools of assessment meant that targeted programming of learning outcomes waspossible in 2011.ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 5

Performance in National TestsBand 6 and AboveBand 5Band 4Band 3Band 2Band 1 (includesexempt)NAPLAN Program 2011 - Year 3Percentage in Skill BandReading SpellingGrammar &Punctuation Writing NumeracySt Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%National Performance 24.2% 18.1% 26.7% 15.9% 13.3%St Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%National Performance 20.8% 22.6% 21.6% 30.2% 19.9%St Pius X Primary School Windale 33.3% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%National Performance 21.2% 24.7% 21.0% 29.1% 27.3%St Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 66.7% 33.3% 66.7% 33.3%National Performance 17.3% 17.7% 15.0% 14.5% 23.8%St Pius X Primary School Windale 33.3% 0.0% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0%National Performance 10.4% 9.7% 8.8% 5.3% 11.4%St Pius X Primary School Windale 33.3% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 66.7%National Performance 6.1% 7.2% 7.0% 5.0% 4.3%Band 8 and AboveBand 7Band 6Band 5Band 4Band 3 (includesexempt)NAPLAN Program 2011 - Year 5Percentage in Skill BandReading SpellingGrammar &Punctuation Writing NumeracySt Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%National Performance 10.7% 8.1% 15.0% 6.6% 8.8%St Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%National Performance 18.1% 17.9% 20.1% 16.3% 16.1%St Pius X Primary School Windale 33.3% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0% 33.3%National Performance 25.7% 28.0% 25.3% 30.7% 28.2%St Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 25.0% 25.0% 50.0% 66.7%National Performance 23.2% 24.7% 20.5% 26.5% 27.8%St Pius X Primary School Windale 66.7% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0%National Performance 13.8% 12.7% 11.0% 11.9% 13.5%St Pius X Primary School Windale 0.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0%National Performance 8.5% 8.6% 8.1% 7.9% 5.6%Cultural Achievements Annual Concert Evening. Children entertain the parish/parents/friends through song and dance. Pupils travelled to Newcastle and participated in the Lakes Cultural FestivalSporting Achievements Weekly Sport Programme. Children participate at Windale/Gateshead Police Citizens Youth Club in basketball, gymnastics,dance and soccer. After school sport was introduced each Tuesday and Thursday. Activities included Archery, Sumba Dance and Fitness. School participates in Regional and Diocesan Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country.Other Highlights for 2011 A daily Breakfast Club was provided by the teachers each morning between 8.30-9.00am. The food was providedby the Red Cross and upwards of 19 (nineteen) children have breakfast each morning. At 10.00 am each day every child receives fruit. This fruit is provided to the school by St Vincent De Paul. Education Week celebrated the excellent teaching and learning that occurs on a daily basis at St Pius X. Parentsand grandparents were invited to visit classrooms and share the students' achievements. Stage one and tow pupils visited Tocal homestead as part of their H.S.I.E. studies. During Book Week pupils enjoyed rotational activities linked to the Book Week theme. Stage 3 pupils travelled to Canberra to follow up their study of Government. They were honoured to meet thePrime Minister Mrs Julia Gillard in her Office.ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 6

StaffStaff QualificationsQualifications & ExperienceNumber of StaffI. Teachers with teaching qualifications from a higher education institution within Australia or asrecognised by National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). 6II. Teachers with qualifications from a higher education institution within Australia or asrecognised by NOOSR but lacking formal teaching qualificationsIII. (a) Teachers not having qualifications as described in I or II above but having relevantsuccessful teaching experience or appropriate knowledge relevant to the teaching contextIII. (b) Of these which are New Scheme Teachers.(a)10(b)0Those numbers include four (4) classroom teachers, a teacher librarian and a non-class based PrincipalProfessional Learning Undertaken During 2011 staff members undertook a range of professional development and learning opportunities. These included. ChildProtection Briefings, Faith Education Accreditation, Focus on Reading Inservice days. All members of staff were updated with CPR and First Aid training. Pupil free days were used productively. Smart boards trainingTeacher AttendanceThe average teacher attendance rate for this school is 97%.Teacher RetentionThe teacher retention rate from 2010 to 2011 was 87%.EnrolmentsActual Enrolments 2011Scholastic Year Number of Students Attendance Rate %Kinder 5 94Year 1 6 91Year 2 6 97Year 3 4 99Year 4 2 94Year 5 7 89Year 6 7 88TOTAL 37 92%ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 7

Student AttendanceThe average student attendance rate for students at this school during 2010 was 92%.School PrioritiesAchievement of School PrioritiesThe school priority was focused on St Pius X Windale being an authentic catholic school, with strategies to create the "BestLearning Environment" for students and memorable experiences linked to the curriculum. The main goals included the continuedimprovement of the physical environment, the building of better relationships within the school community and the refinement andconsolidation of new curriculum initiatives so as to move more positively towards 2010. These were achieved.Facilities New computers / laptops were purchased. The school consists of five classroom areas, a library, canteen, administration block and hall. The new hall and library wereopened in 2011. The old library was converted to a storeroom, meeting room and sports room. The former sports room was changed into aclothing pool and laundry. A COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) and shade structure are used extensively. Under the National Solar Schools Grant. Solar Panels were installed on the new hall roof.The parish church is in close proximity and is used regularly for liturgical celebrations.The school has a well-stocked, computerised library from which pupils may borrow each week. Children receive a weekly librarylesson with the school librarian. Computer education is integrated into the learning process. Smart Boards were installed in eachclassroomThe Administration area was renovated by volunteers in 2011. A new kitchen was installed.A well-stocked canteen, sports shed and utility storeroom complete the physical structure of the school.Community SatisfactionSt Pius X Windale is a quality school in the truest meaning of the word. The extent of the outreach provided by staff to students,parents and families is remarkable. The school is a safe, caring and supportive environment for the students and the quality ofinteraction between the staff and students reflects the wonderful commitment of staff to the welfare of the children. The quality ofteaching is high and the students are supported in a variety of ways through the commitment and dedication of staff. The actionsof staff, in their support of students and parents, reflect most positively on the nature of St Pius X as a Catholic school.The above comments are applicable in 2011 as they were reflected in the survey conducted in 2011 for 2012 School EvaluationDocuments.Financial InformationThe following graphs represent the income and expenditure for St PIUs X Primary School, Windale for the school year ending 31January 2012 as aggregated from the annual returns to the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Science andTraining.ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 8

Concluding StatementThe St Pius X Windale Staff is a dedicated, experienced and committed team. They love the children and want to be here. Theyare to be commended for the creative and positive culture that exists in this school. St Pius X features a diverse socio-economicenrolment and offers a full and diverse curriculum.ANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 9

Report Access and PublicationThis report is available to members of the school and wider communities. Copies will be supplied to the Catholic Schools Office,The Board of Studies, The Parents and Friends Association, the Parish Priest and to all parents.Copies of this school’s Annual School Report are available to the general public. Persons wishing to access a copy of the reportshould contact:The PrincipalMr John WakelySaint Pius X Primary School12 Lake StreetWindale NSW 2306Phone: (02) 4948 8467For further information relating to the Diocesan Policy please refer to: http://mn.catholic.edu.auANNUAL S C HOO L REP ORT 20 11 10