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2011 ANNUAL REPORT<br />

OUR PURPOSE<br />

At <strong>Excelsior</strong> we strive to enable all our students to achieve the highest standards of learning possible so that they<br />

are equipped to deal effectively with the opportunities and challenges that they will encounter in our changing<br />

world. We aim to provide a learning environment that is safe and supportive and encourages children to be<br />

enthusiastic about their learning.<br />

OUR CORE VALUES<br />

Values are determined by the beliefs that we hold and we express these values in the way we think, feel and act.<br />

Staff and students of <strong>Excelsior</strong> value being a multi cultural school and we believe our rich environment of learning,<br />

teaching and assessment opportunities are provided inclusively to all students and staff regardless of age, gender,<br />

race and ability in a safe and happy environment. Our approach to curriculum is inclusive with the integration of<br />

these core values that enhance learning opportunities within the <strong>Excelsior</strong> school community. These core values<br />

are represented in the nine Values for Australian <strong>School</strong> and the Curriculum Framework.<br />

• Care and Compassion<br />

• Doing Your best<br />

• Honest and Trustworthiness<br />

• Responsibility<br />

• Understanding, Tolerance and<br />

Inclusion<br />

• Integrity<br />

• Respect<br />

• Fair Go<br />

• Freedom<br />

THE OUTCOMES WE SEEK<br />

The <strong>School</strong> Improvement and Accountability Framework Policy states:<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

<strong>School</strong><br />

63 Shreeve Road<br />

Canning Vale<br />

WA 6155<br />

Telephone (08) 9455 5811<br />

Facsimile (08) 9455 7873<br />

Web: www.excelsiorps.det.wa.edu.au<br />

• A pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to the<br />

achievement of potential<br />

• Self acceptance and respect of self<br />

• Respect and concern for others and their rights<br />

• Social and civic responsibility<br />

• Environmental responsibility<br />

‘Every school is required to seek continual improvement and account for its performance by: Undertaking selfassessment;<br />

Planning for improvement; Reporting on performance and progress; and Participating in, and acting<br />

upon, review processes.’<br />

Three fundamental accountability questions arise: What are we seeking to achieve?<br />

How well are we doing?<br />

How can we improve?<br />

At <strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> we are committed to providing a teaching and learning program and a school<br />

environment that supports students and staff achieving the six key objectives of the Plan for Public <strong>School</strong>s 2008 -<br />

2011, the Classroom First Strategy and Focus 2011 – Directions for <strong>School</strong>s. These Six Key Outcomes are:<br />

1. To make every student a successful student<br />

We aim for our students to leave school prepared for their future learning; to be literate, numerate and<br />

technologically skilled students who are resilient, independent thinkers with sound social skills and positive<br />

work habits.<br />

2. To have sound teaching in every classroom<br />

The teachers at <strong>Excelsior</strong> PS apply the “Principles of Teaching, Learning and Assessment” in their everyday<br />

teaching to design learning experiences to help students achieve their potential. They are:<br />

• Teaching and Learning: Opportunity to Learn, Connection and Challenge, Action and Reflection,<br />

Motivation and Purpose, Inclusivity and Difference, Independence and Collaboration, Supportive<br />

Environment.<br />

• Assessment: Valid, Educative, Explicit, Fair and Comprehensive.<br />

3. To ensure every public school is a good school<br />

We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment at <strong>Excelsior</strong> PS with learning experiences that challenge<br />

and engage students. This in turn develops good relationships with the wider community.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 1<br />

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4. To provide practical support for our teachers and support staff<br />

We aim to provide all staff with access to all practical support available.<br />

5. To deliver meaningful accountability<br />

Teachers are accountable for monitoring the progress of students in their class. The school then implements<br />

programs aimed at continuous and sustained improvement.<br />

6. To build public confidence in our schools<br />

We encourage parents to trust <strong>Excelsior</strong> PS with the education and well-being of their children and for the<br />

school to be well regarded by the wider community.<br />

THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> school celebrated its seventh year in 2011 and has become a quality school catering for the<br />

needs and aspirations of students and families in the Canning Vale community. Our school grew to 535 K – Year 7<br />

children from nearly 30 different cultural backgrounds. New families who move into our school are very quickly<br />

welcomed and embraced into our diverse and culturally rich school community.<br />

The P&C continued to be an active group of parents who provided many activities for students to enjoy, along with<br />

fund raining activities that raised money for every student in the school, eg, Mother's and Father's Day stalls,<br />

Easter and Christmas stalls. Key funding in 2011 continued to be the purchase and instillation of interactive<br />

whiteboards in classrooms, end of year graduation and presentation activities, Year 7 camp and additional canteen<br />

equipment. The canteen, open on Thursdays and Fridays, has proven to be a winner with the children, with<br />

parents and with the Traffic Light Healthy Food system. Opening days may be extended to three days in 2012.<br />

The <strong>School</strong> Council’s main roles are to endorse the 2011 <strong>School</strong> Improvement Plan, review the 2009/2011 data<br />

collection, approve the 2011 <strong>School</strong> Budget and approve the Contributions and Charges for 2011.<br />

Parents as Partners encourages and supports greater parent involvement with the school such as:<br />

• Assisting teachers with listening to children read, changing books, helping with spelling and other activities<br />

• Being involved with special class activities, eg, cooking, craft, etc,<br />

• Assisting the P&C with activities such as Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, Easter and Christmas stalls,<br />

morning tea stalls at athletics carnivals, etc,<br />

• Assisting at busy bee events,<br />

• Assisting at excursions, incursions and camps,<br />

• Assisting students through the Mentor Program and Super Kids Program.<br />

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS<br />

Our buildings and grounds are a great source of pride and satisfaction for<br />

our school community.<br />

• BER funding built an excellent covered playground in E Block that the Year<br />

1/2 children are using at recess and lunch.<br />

• E1 was used as a community centre, a before and after school centre and<br />

a classroom for extra activities, eg, instrumental music.<br />

• As our student numbers grew this year, we used E2 and E3 classrooms in<br />

the new block for two classes of Year 5 students.<br />

• Our fully enclosed covered assembly area is a perfect facility for physical<br />

education lessons, assemblies and other class or school activities.<br />

• Classrooms are being fitted with interactive whiteboards as an aide to<br />

quality learning teaching and assessment practices.<br />

• The Pre-<strong>Primary</strong> play area is well resourced and well cared for with a good<br />

sized grassed play area, 3 sandpits, climbing equipment, good verandahs<br />

for bike riding and green synthetic grass in the hard-to-grow area.<br />

• The school practise cricket nets are in a better position and are well used<br />

by students.<br />

• All internal and oval lawn areas are green and lush which adds positively<br />

to the look and feel of our school. Trees in the internal lawns encourage<br />

students to use these lawns for play and for gatherings.<br />

• The Garden Club of students, parents and teachers assisted our gardener<br />

to maintain our excellent gardens.<br />

HIGHLIGHTS AND CELEBRATIONS<br />

Chaplain Super Kids<br />

This was is an excellent program run every Friday in the school Library during lunch time with our new Chaplain<br />

Miss Ma’a. This program involved fun, games, stories and character building topics every week. The children who<br />

attended thoroughly enjoyed the different experiences and building relationships.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 2<br />

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Harmony Week<br />

We had an amazing week in March to raise awareness and celebrate the 30 different<br />

cultures that are the past, present and future heritage of our children. Mrs Gounden<br />

(EAL/D teacher) and Mr Alvarez (Italian teacher) organised an assembly where<br />

students showed us glimpses of their different cultures in performances of speaking,<br />

story telling, singing and dancing. This was followed by a shared lunch in each cluster<br />

with national foods provided by many different families. It was a wonderful assembly<br />

and a sensational lunch! Thank you teachers, parents and students.<br />

ANZAC Service<br />

This is a very special event for all Australians, both at <strong>home</strong> and overseas, and we maintain the importance of this<br />

event to observe significant historical events that have helped shape our great country and preserve our wonderful<br />

lifestyle. Our ANZAC theme this year was Volunteers in War.<br />

Thank you to our special guests Mr Peter Abetz MLA, Ms Olwyn Searle Mayor City of Gosnells, Mrs Alma Hartley,<br />

Mrs Cathy Clift, Mr Harry Rosielle and Mr Brian Atkins with Casper. Special thanks to our lone piper Mrs Marianne<br />

Morris, our flag bearer Mrs Carina Mangini and our guest speaker Mrs Searle. We were all very proud of our<br />

wonderful school and our students who participated with the appropriate level of formality and behaviour<br />

throughout the ceremony.<br />

Lightning Summer and Winter Carnivals, Netball Carnival, Cross Country<br />

The weather was perfect for the carnival and <strong>Excelsior</strong> once again achieved its best<br />

ever results. <strong>Excelsior</strong> student behaviour, attitude and their individual and team<br />

achievements were impressive. <strong>Excelsior</strong> students participated in t-ball, indoor beach<br />

volleyball, basketball and cricket (Summer Carnival) and footy, soccer, hockey and<br />

league tag (Winter Carnival). Many thanks must go to Mrs Rumbold (Sport Specialist)<br />

for her outstanding organisation and to the many parents who helped coach a team<br />

and who watched the various sports.<br />

In June twenty eight Year 6/7 girls participated in the Footy Gala Day at Canning<br />

Vale in which five local schools enthusiastically competed for a trophy. The<br />

weather was great, the teams committed and the games fantastic. ‘Our training<br />

sessions really paid off because we all played so well and we all had such great<br />

fun.’ Thanks to our sports specialist Mrs Rumbold for organising the day.<br />

The interschool Netball Competition was an exciting day with every team<br />

performing to the best of their abilities with the B Grade team winning the shield for<br />

their division. All students agreed they had lots of fun.<br />

Music Performances<br />

Under the guidance of Mrs Cotton (Music Specialist) our excellent music students<br />

performed at many different school events. The Senior Choir also performed to their<br />

usual high level at the Children Sing Festival in the Octagon Theatre, receiving<br />

‘outstanding’ in 4 of the 5 categories and ‘excellent’ in the fifth. Other music groups<br />

include Junior Choir, percussion, recorder and wind instrument ensemble, guitar and<br />

rock band. These groups of musicians performed with distinction at assemblies, our<br />

ANZAC ceremony, Harmony Day and end of year graduation and presentation<br />

assemblies.<br />

Year 7 Camp<br />

This is a very exciting and rewarding time for students and teachers with everyone thoroughly enjoying their<br />

experiences at the Bickley Sport and Recreation Adventure Camp. Students (and staff) were challenged to step<br />

outside their comfort zone and participate in activities that increased their individual and team skills and<br />

commitments. The weather was perfect, as was the behaviour of our students in and around the camp.<br />

Consistently positive feedback from the camp presenters supported our beliefs that we have excellent behaviour,<br />

levels of interest and commitment to tasks from all of our students.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 3<br />

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Book Week<br />

The aim of Book Week in August was to encourage and support children’s interests in books and a love of reading.<br />

Book Week activities included children attending story telling sessions in the library, entering an illustrating<br />

competition and dressing up as a book character. A very successful Book Fair was held earlier in the year to<br />

continue to encourage students to choose their own books and promote the importance of reading every day. This<br />

event enabled children to choose and pay for their own books, giving them great ownership in the whole process.<br />

Thank you to parents and students for your support of this activity.<br />

Student Council visit to Parliament House<br />

As part of their leadership training, eight student councillors visited Parliament<br />

House as guests of Mr Peter Abetz (MLA). The students toured the building<br />

with the Education Officer discovering its history and traditions. They even sat<br />

in the Upper House seats. Students held a mock sitting and were then able to<br />

sit in the public gallery to observe question time in the Lower House. We even<br />

ran into Mrs Ravlich who opened our school in 2005. No doubt a highlight of<br />

the visit was lunch in the Parliamentary Dining Room where the students<br />

showed their good manners and just how much they could eat during the three<br />

course meal – lots! Sweets were best they all agreed.<br />

Faction Athletics Carnival<br />

A Celebration of the Arts and Open Day<br />

The weather was perfect again this year and this enabled our students to<br />

perform with an excellent focus on team and individual goals, striving to<br />

achieve their personal best. The great variety of individual and team events<br />

ensured that all children had an opportunity to shine in their various chosen<br />

athletic pursuits.<br />

Thank you to the combined efforts of all our teachers, parent helpers, P&C<br />

organisers, students and especially our sport specialist Mrs Rumbold.<br />

Thanks also to the many families who attended the carnival to support their<br />

children and our school.<br />

This fabulous event was held over two days and involved every student from Years K-7. Children’s art was on<br />

display in classrooms, the art room, music room and library and students performed in music, dance and drama<br />

groups for student assemblies, including the main parent assembly at the end of the event. Open classrooms<br />

invited parents to celebrate the work of their children and others as they moved through the school.<br />

During the outstanding evening performance, children from across the school demonstrated their achievements by<br />

presenting a variety of musical performances. The choir, recorder ensemble (with wind and brass instruments),<br />

percussion group and rock band entertained us all. All the children showed commitment and pride and the<br />

performances were enjoyed and appreciated by the children, teachers and parents in the audience.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 4<br />

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Numero State Final<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> PS took part in the Metro Numero Final with 11 other schools and<br />

performed to the best of their ability with a group winning a prize. It was a<br />

fantastic morning with all teams working hard to capture the elusive Best Numero<br />

Team in WA crown. Thank you to teachers, parents and students for taking part<br />

in this maths competition and for practising so hard during lunch time sessions. A<br />

special mention to Mrs Young who ensured Numero remained a maths focus at<br />

our school, with four teams in the finals.<br />

Graduation and Presentation Assembly<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong>’s seventh Graduation and Presentation Assembly was held during the<br />

last week of school. Students who demonstrated outstanding achievements<br />

during 2011 were presented with a class book prize by their teachers.<br />

The assembly was attended by special guests and many parents and family<br />

members. Additional outstanding entertainment was provided by the Senior<br />

<strong>School</strong> Choir, Recorder Ensemble and Instrumental Music Group, capably<br />

conducted by Music Specialist Mrs Cotton.<br />

Our Year 7 students presented a dance, sung a graduation song and were<br />

presented with the 2011 Year Book. Following the assembly, Year 7 students<br />

and families shared morning tea before the students departed the school for a<br />

graduation lunch at the Burswood. Our students look quite grown up and their<br />

behaviour reflects this. We really enjoy this visit, especially the smorgasbord<br />

lunch and the dessert bar (the chocolate fountain is a big hit). Parents would be<br />

amazed by the amount of food that is consumed by our students.<br />

It was a very exciting, energetic and satisfying day with all students enjoying the<br />

activities and celebrations. It should leave a lasting impression with our<br />

graduates as they move onto high school in 2012.<br />

Promoting a sustainable school<br />

The Kitchen Garden was established near C Block during 2011 using funding<br />

from our P&C and other businesses around Canning Vale. Students helped<br />

design and set up the garden beds with each class being responsible for a<br />

raised bed. This includes researching the type of crop, preparing the soil,<br />

planting crops, watering, weeding, removing bugs, harvesting, researching and<br />

preparing food or giving the produce to the canteen.<br />

It has been a great success with students and teachers taking great ownership<br />

of their gardens and students learning about sustainable practices.<br />

Water tanks were installed (using funds from a government grant) along a C Block wall as part of the program and<br />

they are equipped with pumps to provide watering facilities for the garden. This process assists students to<br />

appreciate water conservation and highlight water usage.<br />

Solar panels were funded from a government grant and provided students with the opportunity to research ways to<br />

conserve energy which may then transfer to their <strong>home</strong> environments. Energy readouts can be obtained by<br />

students at any time and will also show how much electricity is being fed back into the Grid.<br />

Recycling waste materials has been a priority with students for a number of years. Usually a class (C2 this year)<br />

takes responsibility for collecting and emptying recycling bins every week and they often talk to students at<br />

assembly. A recycling audit was completed which distributed waste into various categories of rubbish.<br />

STUDENT PERFORMANCE<br />

The <strong>School</strong> Review Process enables teachers to collect, review and make recommendations from the large<br />

amount of data that was collected, such as:<br />

• The National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results;<br />

• Monitoring Standards in Education (MSE) test results,<br />

• Teacher judgements collected from the semester reports,<br />

• Review of Scope and Sequence Charts,<br />

• First Steps Diagnostic Tasks,<br />

• Information from our behaviour management and attendance systems, and<br />

• Information from parent/student/teacher surveys.<br />

The 2011 <strong>School</strong> Improvement Plan identified the priority areas for 2011 as English Writing, Mathematics Number<br />

and Measurement and Science Investigating Scientifically and Life and Living.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 5<br />

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Relative Assessment Performance Summary<br />

The following line graphs show the NAPLAN relative assessment of <strong>Excelsior</strong> PS compared with similar schools in<br />

WA for Numeracy, Reading, Writing, Spelling and Punctuation and Grammar.<br />

Year 3 Year 5 Year 7<br />

2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011<br />

Numeracy -0.7 0.2 0.6 -1.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.8 1.0 1.5<br />

Reading -1.1 -0.4 0.2 -0.9 -1.3 0.5 -1.6 0.7 1.0<br />

Writing 0.1 0.3 1.2 0.1 -0.2 0.6 -1.7 -0.5 -0.5<br />

Spelling 0.0 -0.2 0.4 -0.4 -1.0 -0.2 -1.4 0.2 -0.6<br />

Grammar &<br />

Punctuation<br />

Reading Years 3/5/7<br />

-0.6 0.0 -0.2 -1.1 0.0 0.1 -1.9 0.7 0.2<br />

Writing Years 3/5/7<br />

Spelling Years 3/5/7<br />

Punctuation and Grammar Years 3/5/7<br />

Numeracy Years 3/5/7<br />

Above Expected - more than one standard<br />

deviation above the predicted school mean<br />

Expected - within one standard deviation of the<br />

predicted school mean<br />

Below Expected - more than one standard<br />

deviation below the predicted school mean<br />

Reading<br />

Excellent improvements from Year 3 students, good<br />

improvements from Year 5 students and Year 7 student<br />

achievement remained at the same level. The whole school<br />

focus on the teaching of Literacy will, over time, ensure<br />

student results continue to improve to a sustainable level of<br />

achievement.<br />

Writing<br />

Good improvements in the achievements of our Year 3 and 5<br />

students relative to students from similar schools. Year 7<br />

student achievement remained at a similar level but with a<br />

slight decline. Writing continues to be a school focus,<br />

particularly persuasive writing tasks and assessments.<br />

Spelling<br />

Within the whole school Literacy Plan is the introduction of<br />

specific spelling programs – Let’s Decode for Years K-3 and<br />

Words Their Way for Years 4-7 students. As this program is<br />

embedded students should gain steady improvement with their<br />

achievement levels.<br />

Punctuation and Grammar<br />

Year 3 and 5 students showed student achievement remained<br />

at a consistent level compared with students at similar schools.<br />

The decline in achievement for Year 7 students has been<br />

addressed by teachers during their Learning and Teaching<br />

programs.<br />

Numeracy<br />

Good improved achievements in Year 3 and Year 5 with a<br />

slight decline in student achievement for our Year 7 students.<br />

The whole school focus on Numeracy with a Getting it Right<br />

Numeracy Teacher and Learning Support Coordinator has<br />

resulted in steady improvements across the school in<br />

Numeracy, compared with students at like school.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 6<br />

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Relative Two Year Progress of <strong>Excelsior</strong>, Like schools, WA Public <strong>School</strong>s and Australian <strong>School</strong>s<br />

All our students Tested yr 3-5, 5-7 At EPS for both tests Similar schools All WA public schools All Australian schools<br />

Reading Year 3 to Year 5 Reading Year 5 to Year 7<br />

Writing Year 3 to Year 5 Writing Year 5 to Year 7<br />

Spelling Year 3 to Year 5 Spelling Year 5 to Year 7<br />

Punctuation and Grammar Year 3-5 Punctuation and Grammar Year 3-5<br />

Reading Progress<br />

The graphs indicate that both<br />

Year 3 to Year 5 student<br />

achievement progress and Year 5<br />

to Year 7 student achievement<br />

progress is above expectations for<br />

similar, state and Australian<br />

schools.<br />

Writing Progress<br />

The graphs indicate Year 3 to<br />

Year 5 student achievement<br />

progress is above expected<br />

progress for similar, state and<br />

Australian schools while Year 5 to<br />

Year 7 achievement progress is<br />

below expected progress<br />

compared with all schools in<br />

Australia. Writing remains a<br />

school priority<br />

Spelling Progress<br />

The graphs indicate Year 3 to<br />

Year 5 student achievement<br />

progress is below the expected<br />

level while Year 5 to Year 7<br />

achievement progress is above<br />

expectations compared with all<br />

schools in Australia.<br />

Punctuation & Grammar<br />

Progress<br />

The graphs indicate Year 3 to<br />

Year 5 student achievement<br />

shows expected progress while<br />

Year 5 to Year 7 achievement<br />

progress is above expectations<br />

compared with all schools in<br />

Australia. This is a greatly<br />

improved result from 2009.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 7<br />

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Numeracy Year 3 to Year 5 Numeracy Year 5 to Year 7<br />

ENGLISH PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT<br />

Numeracy Progress<br />

The graphs indicate Year 3 to<br />

Year 5 student achievement<br />

progress is slightly above the level<br />

expected while Year 5 to Year 7<br />

achievement progress is well<br />

above expectations compared<br />

with all schools in Australia.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong>’s Literacy Policy was reviewed during 2011 so that it reflects the objectives and content of the Early<br />

Years Learning Framework and the National English Curriculum. While <strong>Excelsior</strong>’s policy is inclusive of Years K-7,<br />

particular attention was given to the K-3 years of schooling and a consistent approach to learning, teaching and<br />

assessment. The Department’s Scope and Sequence and the ECE Phonemic Awareness programme was used to<br />

track student achievement. The whole school approach will make a significant difference to student achievement.<br />

Reading<br />

Teachers continued to focus on providing the children with persuasive, informational and narrative texts, promoting<br />

an enjoyment of reading and teaching reading strategies from the First Steps Reading program.<br />

Writing<br />

Teachers continued to focus on the development of editing skills and the use of appropriate writing forms to match<br />

the purpose for writing, with a particular emphasis on the use of Persuasive Text. CUPS will continue to be used<br />

as the school wide editing tool.<br />

Spelling<br />

Children are encouraged to be responsible spellers and are provided with a real audience for their writing to<br />

improve spelling accuracy. Teachers will review appropriateness of Spelling Scope and Sequence (EPS) and<br />

Department Spelling Scope and Sequence. Focus programs for Year K-3 student are Let’s Decode and for Years<br />

4-7, Words Their Way. Extension spelling is provided to able spellers by class teachers.<br />

Language Conventions<br />

Teachers provided students with explicit teaching of punctuation and grammar across all the Learning Areas to<br />

increase understandings of language conventions in context.<br />

MATHEMATICS PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT<br />

At <strong>Excelsior</strong> PS teachers use a common approach to the teaching of numeracy from K–7 including a strong focus<br />

on mental computations, problem solving strategies and reflective practices. Teachers continue to use the First<br />

Steps Mathematics resources to improve student learning. The school’s GiRN allocation allows the specialist<br />

maths teacher to assist teachers and students to improve mathematical understandings and outcomes. Numero<br />

remains a competition platform to enhance group and individual maths thinking skills and four of our teams took<br />

part in the Numero Finals competition, with good success.<br />

Science Society & Environment<br />

2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011<br />

Year 5 41% 33% 67% 47% 42%<br />

Year 7 35% 62% 52% 25% 59% 56%<br />

Science Society & Environment<br />

2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011<br />

Year 5 3 3 2 2 2<br />

Year 7 3 2 2 3 2 2<br />

SCIENCE<br />

Science continued to be a priority in 2011 with the focus<br />

being Investigating Scientifically and Life and Living. The<br />

Science program ‘<strong>Primary</strong> Connections’ was the major<br />

resource used by teachers and students. A Science<br />

Learning Area Leader worked in classes to assist<br />

teachers with the implementation of the program.<br />

Society and Environment<br />

Yellow squares indicate achievement at the expected<br />

levels for 2011, an improvement on previous years.<br />

Society and Environment became more of a focus area<br />

this year to successfully lift student results compared with<br />

other schools in WA.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 8<br />

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VALUES<br />

The <strong>Excelsior</strong> Values Program provides all children with a safe and supportive learning environment while<br />

promoting the development of confidence, organisation, getting along, persistence and resiliency. This is founded<br />

in the You Can Do It program that is fostered in each class.<br />

Teacher judgements of student Attitude, Behaviour and Effort indicate the great majority of students demonstrate<br />

‘consistently’ or ‘usually’. Very few children at <strong>Excelsior</strong> received an Orange Card for not following the Code of<br />

Behaviour and even fewer a Red Card for dangerous or antisocial behaviour.<br />

Students from <strong>Excelsior</strong> are regularly praised by visitors to our school and by the general public when they go on<br />

excursions around Perth. We expect, demand and receive excellent behaviour by all students, both at school and<br />

when away from the school site.<br />

During graduation ceremonies when our Year 7 students have lunch at a public restaurant, the public and staff at<br />

the restaurant have commented on the excellent behaviour and manners of our students. We are very proud that<br />

our students display safe and appropriate values and behaviours at all times.<br />

The <strong>Excelsior</strong> Values Program supported and encouraged children to develop positive attitudes to learning, along<br />

with the skills needed to be independent learners striving to reach their potential while demonstrating social and<br />

civic responsibility. Successful strategies implemented included:<br />

• The ‘You Can Do It’ program,<br />

• Behaviour management strategies that promote the school’s Code of Conduct,<br />

• Acknowledgement of students who demonstrate positive values through the awarding of Gold Slips, Exemplary<br />

Behaviour Letters, Attendance Honour Roll and Class Book Awards,<br />

• Aussie of the Month award to acknowledge Values for Australian <strong>School</strong>ing,<br />

• Continuation of the Excel Club,<br />

• Student Leadership programs,<br />

• Gifted and Talented programs,<br />

• The <strong>School</strong> Volunteers Program, and<br />

• The <strong>School</strong> Chaplaincy Program.<br />

OTHER LEARNING AREAS<br />

Learning Area Committees in The Arts, Health & Physical Education, LOTE Italian, Society & Environment and<br />

Technology & Enterprise continued to implement whole school strategies and purchase quality resources to<br />

support effective whole school learning, teaching and assessment programs. Learning Area Leaders worked with<br />

committees to review the school’s performance in 2010 and plan for 2011, as indicated below.<br />

The Arts: A great number of successful activities occurred in 2011, such as those listed below, in the aspects of<br />

Music, visual arts, dance and drama. The arts program at <strong>Excelsior</strong>, with music and art specialist teachers, is well<br />

recognised for its high quality and the opportunities it provided for all our students.<br />

2011 activities included senior and junior choir, various musical ensembles, ANZAC ceremony and various choir<br />

performances, Arts Day in term 3, TAGS for visual arts, drama and dance groups.<br />

Health & Physical Education:<br />

2011 Health activities include the whole school implementation of You Can Do It, Life Ed Van, Red Nose day,<br />

Buddy system for all classes, Constable Care, and Protective Behaviours.<br />

2011 Physical Education is organised by our specialist teacher and activities include 2 hours of physical activity<br />

each week, walking/jogging before school, faction carnivals, interschool carnivals, visiting sport specialists and out<br />

of school sport surveys.<br />

LOTE Italian: The Italian program continued for Years 3 – 7 students and supported the cultural, oral expression<br />

and language skill development with an Italian Award presented at assembly each fortnight. The special Italian<br />

Cultural assembly with visiting performers was a highlight for the school community.<br />

Society & Environment: MSE testing and report data revealed a tendency for junior primary students to be in the<br />

upper achievement levels with a levelling out of results in the middle grades, followed by a slight increase in<br />

achievements in the upper grades.<br />

2011 activities included using BTN for world events, gardening club, recycling program, recognising significant<br />

cultural days, integrating Aboriginal culture learning areas, introduction of the National Curriculum, Aussie of the<br />

Month and Clean Up <strong>School</strong>s day.<br />

Technology & Enterprise:<br />

2011 activities include the Kitchen Garden project, integration of the SOCS project and the OTLS program. These<br />

initiatives use technology processes for classroom activities that support teachers to share and moderate activities<br />

and assessments.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 9<br />

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SPECIALIST PROGRAMS<br />

Music<br />

The Choirs continued their quality performances at parent assemblies, special event assemblies (ANZAC Service,<br />

Harmony Day) the Year 7 graduation assembly, the Children’s Sing Festival at Winthrop Hall UWA, and the Arts<br />

Day. The Music program continued to develop the talents of our students in 2011 with:<br />

• Specialist lessons in Music<br />

• Recorder ensemble<br />

• Percussion ensemble<br />

• Junior and Senior Choirs<br />

• Guitar ensemble, and<br />

• Rock band<br />

Dance is part of the junior and senior sport options available to all students on a rotational basis. Students<br />

excelled during their lunch time performances and during the Arts Day performance.<br />

Visual Arts A focus on Australian artists, both indigenous and non-indigenous, was a priority during 2011.<br />

Students were exposed to contemporary art and art of the past. The study of art from other cultures has also been<br />

prevalent, in particular the art from China when Chinese New Year was used as a thematic approach in Semester<br />

1. Whilst painting has been a big focus, students have also engaged in many other art forms such as paper-craft,<br />

collage, print-making and sculpture.<br />

Physical Education<br />

Our specialist teacher provided an outstanding Physical Education program that was enjoyed by all students from<br />

Years 1 – 7. Children were taught fundamental skills and introduced to a wide variety of sports. Visiting sporting<br />

personalities from many codes provided students with positive role models and an opportunity to further develop<br />

their skills and abilities.<br />

Senior students successfully competed in Interschool Summer and Winter Carnivals. Athletes selected from<br />

across the school competed in the Cross Country and Interschool Athletics Carnival, demonstrating good individual<br />

and team spirit and fair competitiveness.<br />

English as a Second Language (ESL)<br />

The ESL program provided support for students who were learning English as a second language as well as<br />

increasing the community awareness of our cultural diversity to encourage tolerance and understanding. Each<br />

morning the ESL teacher worked collaboratively with classroom teachers during English, supporting the classroom<br />

program. In the afternoon children were withdrawn in small groups for intensive instruction in English. The special<br />

ESL assembly with our students demonstrating their cultural heritage was a highlight for the school community.<br />

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> is a successful pilot school with the <strong>School</strong>s Online Curriculum Services (SOCS) program that enables<br />

teachers to provide increased support for the use of ICT in classroom teaching. The school and P&C funded the<br />

introduction of additional interactive whiteboards to successfully introduce this concept into the school environment.<br />

Final classrooms will be fitted with this resource in 2012.<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> Extension and Challenge (PEAC)<br />

A number of children from Years 5–7 were identified to attend South Metro District PEAC courses or special<br />

programs provided by Canning Vale College.<br />

SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMS<br />

Numero Challenge<br />

In 2011 <strong>Excelsior</strong> again participated in the Numero competition and were successful in having four teams in the<br />

state finals. Our students all performed to the best of their abilities. This continued to be a whole school focus in<br />

2011 with a number of children winning the weekly Tuesday West Australian Numero Challenge. A double pack of<br />

Numero cards was then presented to these winners at assembly.<br />

Gardening Club<br />

The Gardening Club is a great lunchtime activity that encouraged students to work together and take individual<br />

responsibility to improve our gardens and grounds. Students weed and trim gardens, remove fallen or dead<br />

branches and clean out any rubbish from the garden beds.<br />

<strong>School</strong> Rock Band<br />

The school’s Rock Band practised before school and at lunch times and their performances during lunch times and<br />

on Arts Day stirred an enthusiastic response from the student audience. Students rehearsed several times each<br />

week and select popular songs that the audience will know.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 10<br />

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Behaviour Management Systems (BMS)<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> PS has a range of systems in place to recognise the outstanding achievements of both individuals and<br />

groups.<br />

• Honour Certificates are given out at Parent Assemblies and they recognise the academic, social, physical and<br />

creative improvements of individual students.<br />

• Excel Club members received a pencil and Bronze Badge to recognise students who work to the best of their<br />

abilities, having good values and practising the school’s Code of Behaviour.<br />

• Faction Points are read out at assemblies with the winning faction receiving an award each term.<br />

• Aussie of the Month badges and certificates are given out each month at the Parent Assembly to recognise<br />

individual efforts for values goals.<br />

• Classroom Behaviour – each class develops a behaviour plan in line with the Code of Behaviour.<br />

• Recognition of Exemplary Behaviour letters are sent <strong>home</strong> at the end of each term to reward students who<br />

have not received any green slips.<br />

• Attendance Honour Role is placed in the newsletter each term to recognise students who have 95% +<br />

attendance for explained absences.<br />

SCHOOL PROFILE<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> Attendance Rates<br />

Non -<br />

Aboriginal<br />

Aboriginal Total<br />

<strong>School</strong> State <strong>School</strong> State <strong>School</strong> State<br />

2009 94.6% 93.9% 0.0% 81.1% 94.6% 92.9%<br />

2010 94.8% 93.9% 85.2% 82.6% 94.8% 92.9%<br />

2011 95.3% 93.7% 91.2% 81.6% 95.3% 92.7%<br />

Regular<br />

Attendance Category<br />

At Risk<br />

Indicated Moderate Severe<br />

2009 86.8% 10.8% 1.5% 0.7%<br />

2010 85.8% 10.3% 3.5% 0.2%<br />

2011 88.2% 10.0% 1.4% 0.2%<br />

State 2011 77.7% 15.4% 5.1% 1.6%<br />

Destination <strong>School</strong>s Male Female Total<br />

Canning Vale College 12 13 25<br />

Willetton Senior High <strong>School</strong> 2 1 3<br />

Carey Baptist College 1 1<br />

Kent Street Senior High <strong>School</strong> 1 1<br />

Langford Islamic College 1 1<br />

Melville Senior High <strong>School</strong> 1 1<br />

Rossmoyne Senior High <strong>School</strong> 1 1<br />

Southern Hills Christian College 1 1<br />

<strong>School</strong> Enrolment K-7<br />

Semester 2 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011<br />

Pre-Compulsory<br />

(PPR Only)<br />

76 62 52 54 54<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> 394 362 399 402 425<br />

Total 470 424 451 456 479<br />

Administration Staff<br />

No FTE<br />

Principals 1 1.0<br />

Deputy Principals 3 2.2<br />

Total Administration Staff 4 3.2<br />

Teaching Staff<br />

Level 3 Teachers 3 3.0<br />

Other Teaching Staff 27 22.6<br />

Total Teaching Staff 30 25.6<br />

<strong>School</strong> Support Staff<br />

Clerical / Administrative 4 2.7<br />

Gardening / Maintenance 1 0.5<br />

Other Non-Teaching Staff 13 8.6<br />

Total <strong>School</strong> Support Staff 18 11.8<br />

Total 52 40.6<br />

Teacher Qualifications<br />

All teaching staff meet the professional requirements to teach in Western Australian schools and are registered with<br />

the Western Australian College of Teaching. Teaching qualifications include Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of<br />

Education and Master of Education.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 11<br />

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Teacher Professional Learning<br />

Teachers and support staff are required to undertake a number of Professional Learning activities each year.<br />

Some of these include:<br />

� Australian Curriculum – Literacy and Numeracy<br />

� Classroom Management Skills<br />

� New Directions<br />

� Multiple Intelligences<br />

� Blooms Taxonomy<br />

� RASCL Conference<br />

� Science Earth and Beyond<br />

� Early Years Learning Framework<br />

� Implementing Thinking Skills<br />

� You Can Do It Presentation and Classroom Implementation<br />

� Classroom Modelling<br />

Conclusion<br />

It is with great pleasure that the 2011 <strong>Excelsior</strong> Annual Report is presented to the <strong>School</strong> Board, the P&C and the<br />

<strong>School</strong> Community as a summary of the strengths and achievements of our students and of our school. The<br />

reflection and analysis processes then provide an indication of future areas of focus.<br />

The Report summarised the exciting and innovative activities that occurred during 2011.<br />

Please take the time to read this information and provide any feedback to the school that will celebrate achievements<br />

and help to make the 2012 Annual Report even better for the <strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>School</strong> Community.<br />

Barry Liddelow<br />

Principal, and Staff<br />

The Mega Fair<br />

Planning for the Mega Fair took over a year and was taken on by a committee of very enthusiastic parents and<br />

teachers. The fair would not only raise money for the <strong>Excelsior</strong> school community, it would promote the school in the<br />

wider community and provide a fun and enthusiastic day for everyone who came to enjoy the activities.<br />

One Sunday during Term 1, 2011 the whole school celebrated our Mega Fair. Every class organised an activity to<br />

hold for the fair and these included guessing games, games of challenge, games of chance, fishing games, craft<br />

stalls, cooking stalls, horse riding, face painting, popstick pull, bottle bag, treasure hunt, cake/coffee stall, milk<br />

arrowroot decorating, mask decorating, coin toss on chocolate blocks, stack fall, plants & herbs, books/toys and icecream/drinks.<br />

And don’t forget the very successful sausage sizzle. Teachers, children and parents had great fun<br />

operating the stalls.<br />

There were rides, jumping castles and displays from various businesses and many activities that were spread around<br />

the oval and through the school. Entertainment was provided by many different groups, including students from our<br />

school. Our school music ensemble provided high quality entertainment for the people sitting on the oval having<br />

morning tea. Our canteen provided lunch for the huge crowd.<br />

Thankyou to all the people who helped with the massive organisation and to the teachers, students and parents who<br />

helped in various forms during the day. The Fair was a massive success and raised more than $20,000 for the school<br />

to purchase electronic whiteboards. It was also a means of enabling the school community to join together for a<br />

common purpose – our children.<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 12<br />

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SCHOOL BUDGET AND ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2011<br />

Income<br />

Budget Actual<br />

1 Voluntary Contributions $13,818 $18,944<br />

2 Charges and Fees $8,600 $44,540<br />

3 P & C Contributions $20,801<br />

4 Fundraising and Donations $7,759<br />

5 State Government Grants $161,017 $171,728<br />

6 Miscellaneous $28,000 $49,289<br />

7<br />

Total Income $211,435 $313,061<br />

7 Carry Over Balance $71,455 $71,455<br />

Total Funds Available $282,890 $384,516<br />

Expenditure<br />

Budget Actual<br />

1 Administration $12,500 $15,215<br />

2 Utilities $60,688 $58,615<br />

3 Repairs and Maintenance $1,000 $1,862<br />

4 Capital/Minor Works $2,198<br />

5 Assets and Resources $5,000 $41,078<br />

6 Curriculum $74,650 $69,602<br />

7 Miscellaneous $80,004 $101,015<br />

8 Transfer to Replacement $21,800 $5,800<br />

Total Expenditure $233,842 $289,585<br />

8 Transfer to Asset Reserves $21,800 $5,800<br />

Total Funds Carry Forward $27,248 $89,131<br />

Cash Position as at: 31/12/2011<br />

Bank Balance $129,872<br />

Made up of:<br />

1 Carry Over Grants (committed) $0<br />

2 Deductible Gift Funds $0<br />

3 Trust Funds $981<br />

4 Asset Replacement Reserves $41,034<br />

5 Suspense Accounts $0<br />

6 Uncommitted Funds $87,857<br />

Total Bank Balance $129,872<br />

Other financial information<br />

Voluntary contributions collection rate 62% Total creditors as at: 31/12/10 1667<br />

Total bad debts written off for the year 0 Total Debtors as at: 31/12/10 0<br />

Total assets/resources written off for the year 0 Total value of new leases for the year 0<br />

<strong>Excelsior</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> 13<br />

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