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Appendix D

State Award Submission Cover Sheet

Title of submission : ‘Freedom to learn - anyone, anywhere, anytime. ’ School/s : Brisbane School of Distance Education Region : Brisbane Metropolitan Key contact person : Name: Neil McDonald Position: Principal Phone number: 07 37272434 Mobile phone number: 0407650535 Email address neil.mcdonald@eq.edu.au Principal : Name: Neil McDonald Email address neil.mcdonald@eq.edu.au Please nominate the Showcase category for your project. Please nominate one category only. (See section 1.2 of the guidelines for more information.)

Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early Phase of Learning Showcase Award for Excellence in the Middle Phase of Learning x Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership Showcase Award for Excellence in Innovation Showcase Award for Academic Excellence Showcase Award for Excellence in Community or Industry Partnerships

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Submission overview:

‘Freedom to learn - anyone, anywhere, anytime. ’

Through the integration of digital technologies in learning, Brisbane School of Distance Education (BSDE) now leads the delivery of ‘flexible learning’ to over 3300 students across Queensland and beyond. More than1600 of these are in the Senior Phase . Many students are solely with BSDE and are unable to attend mainstream education due to their diverse situation or come with significant barriers to learning. More mainstream schools now enrol students in BSDE subjects to optimise senior pathway opportunities. In 2008 a new school focus actioned: a fully inclusive curriculum in which every student has access to high quality senior learning programs aimed at p roviding them with a pathway to a successful future . Now in 2011, enrolments have reached record levels extending further our student diversity and complexity. Since 2008 BSDE OP results consistently remain in the top 10 % of all schools across the state and in 2010 the Courier Mail ranked BSDE in the three top performing schools . In 2011 any student can now access many online vocational subjects from Cert I through to Cert III courses delivered into schools, homes and support centres around Queensland. Showcase Award for Excellence in The Senior Phase o f Learning Framed around outcomes for students in Years 10-12 resulting from:

• flexible education and training • opportunities and pathways • engaging students as active citizens in a learning society.

_____________________________________________________________________ OPTIONAL multimedia item for Regional Award Submiss ions ONLY: (For further information see guidelines appendix L) If included, please tick (�) ����

To be supplied on one compact disc with the hard copy. Multimedia item are not required electronically. Personnel in the project : _________________________________________________________________________

BSDE whole school team • Neil McDonald BSDE School Principal • Stacie Hansel BSDE Head of School Junior • Warren Parkinson BSDE Head of School Middle Years • Sue Michelmore BSDE Head of School Senior School • Mike Day BSDE Head of School Operations • Steve Warwick – Business Service Manager • Maree Neilsen – HOD Senior Pathways • Vanessa Adamson – HOD Vocational Pathways • BSDE Heads of Department • BSDE Staff Members • 2010 Critical Friend and Past P&C President Mrs Ros Cridland • BSDE P&C President 2011 Mr Chris Newton • BSDE Parent Focus Group Members

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ENTERING YOUR STATE SUBMISSION

1. Ensure you have enclosed all compulsory informa tion by completing the Entrants’ Checklist in appendix E.

2. Ensure the principal signs this cover sheet. 3. Send your submission to your Showcase Regional Coordinator for checking by 20 June

2011. Signature of Principal Date

17/6/11 _______________________________________ ____________________________

To be signed by the Regional Director after complet ion of the checklist in appendix F.

I support this submission and its entry in the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools 2011. This submission meets the requirements set out in the Regional Director’s Checklist.

Signature of Regional Director Date _____________________________________ __________________________

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‘Freedom to learn- anyone, anywhere, anytime’ Description Historically, BSDE was considered to be a last resort in education, providing learning materials to students through a paper correspondence mode across Queensland. BSDE was originally designed to have teachers post and mark hard copy learning programs primarily to geographically isolated or medical students. The challenge… to deliver high quality, flexible curriculum accessible by anyone. Our goal in 2008 was to revolutionise learning and position our school as a world leader in delivering flexible education for every student . No longer would any child, irrespective of their disability, medical condition, family situation or place of residence, be denied access to a world class curriculum. The school vision grew…

’providing high quality programs to anyone, anywhere , anytime.’

For the Senior School a review was undertaken of the suite and effectiveness all programs offered to our students in the academic subjects. The bar was raised and more Vocational programs were developed. A new Senior School mantra was actioned:

‘ensuring every student has a positi ve pathway to a bright future’

The opportunity… As access to technology has become more readily available to families, the challenge to integrate ICTs became an obvious opportunity for the development of better teaching and learning strategies. These practices now permeate the barriers of distance and time into homes, hospitals, and schools around the globe. This exciting opportunity has seen the evolution of highly developed flexible, online senior programs which are used not only for SDE students but now our programs support students in hundreds of senior schools across Queensland. Sustainability -Action research journey To action change it was essential to have a simple but effective process of ‘planning forward’ based on research, data and encouraging innovation of staff to improve every student’s leaning outcomes. The model below is simple but helped us to drive a culture of school improvement to improve outcomes for all students . Our journey saw a review process across the whole school impacting on culture, organisation, practices and resource deployment. The school has moved through three significant stages of evolution:

‘Baseline Operating’

Phase

‘Online

Development’ Phase

‘i-school Delivery’

Phase

Pre 2005- Standard

correspondence school with some telephone lessons

Action

Reflection

2005- ad-hoc

development of online courses, learning objects

Action

Reflection

2009 - online courses supported with web-conference lessons

Transferability – building capacity beyond the ‘walls’ of BSDE into our schools Well into our i-school phase, we are now trialling new programs with 15 schools around the state. Extending our Best and Brightest programs - Online web-conference supported lessons see the delivery of differentiation projects for high performing students. In the Middle School Phase, in preparation for senior, identified students in the top bands of literacy and numeracy and also those recognised as Gifted and Talented students enrol in these programs. The key to this new program is building capacity in mainstream schools -training other teachers to deliver these online programs to their own students and other schools’ students. This program will extend to over 30 schools in June. In Senior, the BSDE Academic Enhancement program is now beamed across the state and overseas to assist OP students to enhance their academic outcomes.

‘Providing high quality learning programs to anyone , anywhere, anytime’

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Over the last few years this powerful vision has challenged BSDE to strive to achieve the best outcomes for every student anywhere in the BSDE community. Our journey has positioned us well aligning to the government’s vision:

Toward Q2 :The Queensland Government's Priorities

‘Smart – we want to deliver a world class education. - Qualifications: three out of four

Queenslanders will hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications.’

Toward Q2 through ICT outlines the Queensland Government’s information and communication technology priorities and targets to help create more accessible, efficient and effective services for the benefit of all Queenslanders Key school improvement strategies have aligned us t o the Government’s vision with the goal of positioning BSDE to deliver ‘world class ed ucation’ accessible by anyone, anywhere, anytime. BSDE’s strategic planning identifies the three ongoing school strategies under pinning the school’s explicit improvement agenda named ‘Tomorrow’s Team’ . This ongoing priority ties the 3 strategies around the school’s 5 pillars of success:

Maximising Achievement, Literacy and Numeracy,

Focus on Learning, Relationships and School Organisation .

The ‘Tomorrow’s Team’ agenda also forms the basis of Performance Planning for Principal and DPs, Sub-school and Faculty Planning, all the way through to Teacher PD planning to ensure we are maximising success at all levels.

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The school community uses our set of core values to drive our vision forward : - People and Partnerships

- Focus on Learning - Maximise success

PEOPLE AND PARTNERSHIPS Web-conferencing - Bringing our classes to ‘life’ Web-conference lessons allow our staff to now build strong learning relationships with students. Students now log into online lessons. In these virtual classroom s isolated students discuss work with other student s; students raise their ‘hand icon’ to ask questions o r pick up the scribe to write on the whiteboard and view video clips with their classmates. All staff have undergone web-conferencing moderator training and deliver virtual lessons to classes of students each week. Technology bridges any distance.

The Educational Triangle Powerful learning is underpinned by a 3-way partnership with student, school and parent. Parents are an important part of their child’s education. To provide educational guidance to our home tutors and parents we develop educational tutorial guides which are posted on our website. Our P&C now runs through web-conferencing mode allowing visual updates and discussion to thrive. Over twenty parents actively participate in the mon thly P&C meeting by web-conferencing. Parents log in from a s far away as the USA and QATAR to discuss key tasks and aspects of our strategic plan. Partnerships with our Schools and Community …. Building a learning society BSDE has prioritised the development of courses to not only provide subjects to students where their base school is unable to, but also we now develop extension programs for Gifted and Talented students and lead professional development for mainstream teachers on ICTs in the classroom. BSDE believes its greatest asset to build a true ‘learning hub’ is its partnership with community and links to industry. BSDE has partners in education around the world. FOCUS ON LEARNING

Engage and challenge The online programs are designed to engage students through the use of exciting ‘learning objects’. These resources bring learning to life through interactive quizzes, real world activities and video clips. They are often multi levelled to extend students thinking. Flexibility is enhanced as students can move through many courses at their own pace.

Personalised learning Every student is different. At BSDE our core business is to ensure every child is given the best opportunity to succeed. The flexibility of our programs is now BSDE’s trademark. Elite athletes, dancers and musicians can adjust their learning schedule around training and performances. Lessons can be recorded and teacher vodcasts played at any time.

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Inspire creativity and confidence…… developing acti ve citizens Many students in any environment often choose not to engage in discussion groups. However, the online environment is a great way to build confidence and inspire creativity. BSDE teachers use discussion groups, blogs and wikis to generate exciting discussion and collaborative learning amongst students.

MAXIMISE SUCCESS

Tracking every student Data analysis teams track individual student performance and provide feedback to students and parents. Information is collected across the school to inform curriculum decisions and provide teachers with information to personalise student learning and pathway planning. As part of our ‘Legends’ program indigenous students all have a teacher mentor.

Recognising success Students are made to feel part of the school community no matter where they are. The BSDE Newsletter is deliberately full of student photos and student stories. Awards Day exemplifies our extremes of diversity when the audience watches as elite athletes stand side by side with medical students –each student celebrating a personal success. Successful staff Staff are supported in this new environment by access to high levels of professional development and ICT training. Skill sharing in many formal and informal forums is essential for organisational growth. Leadership at state and national levels is recognised as staff are requested to present at a wide range of conferences and professional development activities.

Ensuring We Facilitate Successful Pathways for Ever y Student

At BSDE each sub-school develops its own guiding mantra aligning to the school’s vision of ‘providing quality education to anyone, anywhere, anytime’. Each is designed to be a powerful statement to drive a student focus on actions for that sub-school. The Senior School’s mantra is:

‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to a a a a bright future for every student’bright future for every student’bright future for every student’bright future for every student’

As a fully inclusive school our Senior Pathway Team negotiates an individualised pathway plan for every student as they enrol. Due to the nature of why students come to BSDE, over 300 students can move in and out of a cohort during the Senior Phase. This includes students excluded from schools, ‘At Risk’ students disengaging late from schooling, medical situations and late changes to a student’s course in another school. The team works hard to consistently monitor throughout the senior phase successful student engagement in all courses. Three major pathway goals for all students:

OP Pathway VET & Authority Registered Subjects Pathway

QCIA

(Queensland Certificate of Individual Attainment)

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Outcomes and Evidence ENROLMENT DATA- (see APPENDIX 1) Public confidence in the quality and flexibility of BSDE’s new programs is evidenced in the continued growth of our enrolments.

• Over the past 3 years there has been a 22% increase in enrolments. (JAN 2011 over 3400 students)

• BSDE has prioritised building relationships with sc hools to broaden student pathways and success across the state.

• Gifted and elite sports/cultural performers continu ing to grow rapidly- students seeking flexible programs.

ACADEMIC PATHWAYS - Established and maintaining consistently high Sen ior School student academic outcomes–(see APPENDIX 2 ) With strong BSDE cohorts averaging 100+ year 12 students, our OP data remains consistently high. In 2008 BSDE implemented a new strategy focused on individual student achievement ‘Senior Student Performance Monitoring’. The outcomes now put us consistently in the top 10% of all schools’ OP results in the state.

OP scores for BSDE students over the last 4 years have been consistently very strong putting BSDE

in the top 10% of all schools in the state.

In 2010 the Courier Mail ranked BSDE in the top 3 of all schools’ OP results in Queensland!

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PATHWAYS - Expanding Courses and significantly improving Senior School Vocational outcomes (see APPENDIX 3 ) Over the last 4 years BSDE has expanded all areas of learning particularly in VET to ensure pathways are available for all students, since 2008 VET data improvement in senior includes –

- Students receiving a VET Qualification - 48% increa se.

QUEENSLAND CERTIFICATE of INDIVIDUAL ACHEIVEMENT (Q CIA) PATHWAY – Program for students unable to achieve success in other pat hways due to a learning Disability (See APPENDIX 4) With growing numbers comes a growth in diversity of student needs, enrolments continue to increase particularly those needing highly individualised programs:

• Students with Medical conditions seeking flexible programs have increased by 125%. • Students with Disabilities (students requiring formal program adjustments) enrolments

increase to 163 students. This is an increase from 2007 by 87%.

FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS AT RISK – (See APPENDIX 5) Students who disengage from school due to a range of circumstances have a chance to build a future by accessing BSDE’s programs through various flexible modes. Our ‘teen mums’, students attending flexi-schools and students in correctional centres all have a second chance to build success in a senior pathway.

TRANSFER OF SKILLS (see APPENDIX 6) BSDE has prioritised professional development for mainstream teachers in key areas of digital learning and individualised differentiation. Self delivery of BSDE digital courses by other project schools began mid 2010. Feedback from mainstream teachers has been extremely positive.

School Opinion Survey Results, (see APPENDIX 7B) Our parents continue to support the programs of the school. Parent School Opinion Survey results remain above state average and continue to show a solid overall increase in positive support.

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APPENDIX 1- Fully inclusive Senior Pathways– a brea k down of student diversity – ENROLMENT DATA at BSDE Historically our original purpose was to provide education to students who were geographically isolated or medical students. Now due to technology and our inclusive and flexible curriculum, BSDE provides high quality learning programs to many more students with varied and diverse needs. - 40 % of students accessing BSDE live in the subu rbs of Brisbane and the Gold Coast!

General Enrolment Growth Enrolments grow due to quality programs. This graph shows enrolment growth at BSDE over the last 5 years. Recognition of our new agenda to support all students with high quality programs flexible to meet their individual needs is growing in ‘public confidence’ as demonstrated by our significant growth.

Medical Students and Students With Disabilities accessing individual programs. Significant growth in students seeking individualised programs under the Medical category, where enrolments have increased by 125% over 5 years. BSDE has now the largest Special Needs enrolment across the state. The flexibility of our programs tailored to meet individual student needs and accessibility from hospital or home sees students with medical situations engaging well with our programs.

Growth in number of students enrolled in the Medical category at BSDE – 2007 to 2011

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Series1

Medical

Students

20%

Distance

Students 5%

Centre Based

Students

5%

By Choice

Students

20%

Students

Overseas &

Travelling

Queenslanders

10%

School Based

Students

40%

The percentage of students enrolled in

each diverse category

Enrolment growth at BSDE 2008 -2011

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

2008 2009 2010 2011

Series1

Senior students from mainstream schools accessing BSDE programs not only in Academic and Vocational subjects, but as ‘booster’ programs continue to grow.

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APPENDIX 2– ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to a a a a bright future for every student’bright future for every student’bright future for every student’bright future for every student’- --- ACADEMIC PATHWAYS i) BSDE Academic results 2007 – 2010 Students studying their full suite of subjects at B SDE (–this data below does not include the ‘school based’ cohort accessing BSDE programs)

BSDE SENIOR (Year 12 Results) 2007 2008

2009

2010 Improvement:

Total number of students 114 83 97 125

Percentage of OP students who received an OP 1 to 15

83% 88% 90% 83% Consistently well above state mean

% of students awarded one or more VET qualifications

7% 36% 57% 55% 48% Increase over 4 yrs

% of students awarded a QCE at the end of Yr 12

NA 42% 55% 55% 13% Increase over 3 yrs

Number of Students With Disabilities students awarded a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)

0 1 2 5 Increasing number

OP scores for BSDE students over the last 4 years have been consistently very strong putting BSDE in the top 10% of all

schools in the state.

In 2010 the Courier Mail ranked BSDE in the top 3 of all schools’ OP results in Queensland!

Courier Mail- Tuesday, June 1, 2010

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ii) School based enrolments- BSDE supporting Academ ic Pathways in schools across Queensland… BSDE not only delivers a strong academic curriculum to BSDE students, students across the state in any school can access quality senior programs not available at their own school. BSDE currently services 1486 secondary students in other schools across the state 28 senior subjects.

In the senior Authority Subjects, students from aro und the state learn together in BSDE’s virtual classrooms. All students are combined on t o BSDE’s master R6s in each subject for QSA approval of Exit results. Then they are individ ually extracted to make base school R6’s and are provided to the schools –sometimes numberin g close to 1000!

Combined Subject Exit Results 2010 (BSDE and School Based Students) Academic excellence in high performing senior authority subjects

(Note: All major academic subjects saw HA and VHA results above 30%!!) % of students attaining High or Very High Achieveme nt at Exit 2010

Subject % of Students HA or VHA Maths C 71% Chinese 100%

Economics 83% Japanese 82% German 89% French 78%

Visual Arts 71% Music 77%

Linda Rissmann BSDE Parent, “Our family has been using BSDE for 8 years. We’re on a property outside Goondiwindi. School requirements, property demands and family times are always coordinated to meet our individual family needs. Our first child earned an OP 1 and is successfully completing an engineering degree. Our second has just finished and will achieve good results. With much of the curriculum delivered on-line the students are able to work at anytime with ease using computers. In a world of instant messaging they are distant but not isolated from their peers.”

Yierka Coomans -undertook studies at BSDE from a hospital bed in Belgium where she was undergoing radical cancer treatment. With the support of the staff at BSDE, in spite of her medical condition, Yierka achieved an OP1 at the end of 2010. Mr Coomans visited the school in 2011 emotionally stating “BSDE saved my daughter’s life”. Yierka is currently in Belgium completing her treatment and her goal is to return to Australia and commence studying Medicine in 2012.

Craig Sproule – 2010 Yr 12 student – Queenslander Craig enrolled in BSDE as a mature age student undertaking his studies from the United States and at age 45 he secured an OP1 in 2010. He has commenced his studies in Medicine in 2011. Craig sent a message of gratitude to BSDE upon receipt of his OP 1 sent a message; “ BSDE has made my dream a reality”.

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APPENDIX 3 – ‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’---- VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PATHWAYS

Over the last 3 years BSDE has expanded its VET cur riculum significantly realising a new set of opportunities and pathways for many more students. Now in 2011 VET delivery has gr own dramatically through the development of highly inte ractive programs.

i) BSDE - SENIOR VOCATIONAL OUTCOMES BSDE has been identified as having the significant number of students completing CERT III courses and above in our region! In 2010 Yr12 VET students achieved : BSDE Apprenticeships and traineeships 2010

Year 10 = 3 Students Year 11 = 29 Students Year 12 = 9 Students Total = 41 students

No of Students completed Cert II and above:

Cert II - 37 Cert III & IV - 14

Diploma - 2

ii) SCHOOL BASED ENROLMENTS -supporting Vocational Pathways in other schools across Queensland… BSDE currently enrols a total of 531 students acros s the many schools around the state enabling student access to qualifications up to Cer t III.

Mark Richards – 2011 Yr12 student and aspiring national tennis player with the Australian Tennis Academy is completing a Cert III in fitness followed by Cert IV and on track for QCE through BSDE.

On the Gold Coast 7 students at the Australian Sports Academy are currently completing Cert III and IV in Fitness progressing to Diploma while pursuing their interest in sports.

Eden Marsh- as a senior student Eden is completing an Advanced Diploma in Dance and is able to access BSDE’s flexible delivery of lessons to complete her senior requirements for QCE.

St George SHS sought out Brisbane SDE this year due to an issue with our external RTO and allowing our students to continue learning the VET qualification of Certificate I in Information Technology course. It was a difficult issue to resolve as some of our students were half way through the course....BSDE worked with us to achieve a valued partnership that is both rewarding for the students and the schools. The staff at BSDE has been extremely efficient and helpful in our negotiations, allowing ST George SHS to have access to an RTO and greatly assisting our students to access VET training. Principal, St George SHS

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APPENDIX 4 – ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to ‘Positive pathways to a a a a bright future for very student’bright future for very student’bright future for very student’bright future for very student’- ---QUEENSLAND CERTIFICATE OF INDIVIDUAL ACHEIVEMENT (QCIA) - SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM PATHWAYS With 165 students with learning disabilities enrolled in BSDE, we have the largest Special Needs Program in the state. As we are not a special school this demonstrates the potential of the flexibility of our online learning programs. Our staff work hard with the students, parents and outside agencies to tailor individualised programs for each student. Often this includes working across a blended environment of BSDE and another mainstream sites or specialised units. Like every other student our students with learning disabilities have a specific team to monitor their pathway progress for success. Students have the option to pursue OP and VET pathways or engage in achieving the growing QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) pathway which is a QSA recognised certificate.

Achievements • Significant growth in students seeking individualised

programs under the Medical category, where enrolments have increased by 125% over 5 years

• 100% of students with a disability have an ISP (Individual Student Plan)

• QCIA -Targeted work in this area since 2009 has seen our YR 12 completion rate move from 1 (2008) to 5(2010) with 7 on track for 2011 and 17 on track for 2012

• 62% of our students with a disability achieved an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in subjects from Yrs 8-11 (2010)

• Anecdotal feedback from our families and students is tremendous – word of mouth is our biggest contributor to our significant increase of SWD enrolments over the las t 5 yrs (87%)

Quotes and Feedback:

Rod & Linda Bell parents of student with ASD , “BSDE has given us so much knowledge; help with education and understanding over the past 8 yrs with our daughters special needs. What was taken away from our daughter through her disability, BSDE has given her hope and a brighter future through their programs.”.

Garry Hills BSDE parent of medical senior school st udent, “Our son, Chris is a bright teenager, but he faces profound daily challenges – quadriplegia resulting from cerebral palsy & diabetes. The committed staff & excellent programs at BSDE have enabled Chris to experience the satisfaction of high academic achievement, encouragement of personal affirmation and the enjoyment of peer interaction.”

Amy Hampson, Teacher - “At Burnett State College in Gayndah we have enrolled students from grade 10, 11 and 12 students in BSDE courses in Cert 1 in Work Readiness and Cert 1& 2 in Work Education. We enrol students in these courses to give the students another avenue of study that isn't offered out here in our rural school. Thank you for the opportunity for our students to enrol in your courses.”

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APPENDIX 5 – ‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’‘Positive pathways to bright future for every stude nt’---- FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS FOR ‘STUDENTS AT RISK’ Students who disengage from school due to a range of circumstances have a chance to build a future by accessing BSDE’s programs through various flexible modes. Some use our ability to stretch programs over extended timeframes, 24 hr access, through community funded ‘flexi-school sites’. Highlight: BSDE has 128 students in Yrs 11 and 12 on extended ‘three year flexible programs’, 8 are on ‘four year flexible programs’. (Student names have been removed for privacy) ‘Tegan’ is a student who fell pregnant and whose baby is almost due. Tegan has been placed on a Three Year Senior pathway at BSDE to enable her to manage her studies whilst preparing for the arrival of her unplanned baby. BSDE has increased her subject loads prior to the arrival of the baby and these will be reduced following its arrival. The BSDE Pathways team will then monitor her progress and the option of a Four Year Senior remains in place if she feels she requires additional time to complete her schooling. ‘Jean’ - Jean is expecting a baby in April 2011, she is desperate to finish Yr 12 this year and is undertaking her final senior studies through a flexible and supportive three year senior program.

2010 Schools First State Award – Runner up BSDE works with 3 major alternative education centres as well as providing learning programs to Correctional Centres across South East Q’land. BSDE was runner up in state Schools First Award for the ongoing provision senior pathway programs to flexi- schools on the Sunshine Coast.

The Flexi Schools comprise a strong, committed partnership between the BSDE and Integrated Family and Youth Service Ltd (IFYS). This alternative education program currently supports 75 students at 6 Queensland campuses on the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Mackay. The success of the Flexi Schools is measured through increased participation in education and vocational training, higher self-esteem, a reduction in criminal and inappropriate behaviours, and the supported integration of young people into their community.

BSDE currently works in partnership with Building Futures Flexi-school, providing Senior Pathways to 20 at risk students who have disengaged with mainstream schooling. In 2010 10 students successfully completed QSA senior subjects and made significant contribution towards future QCE attainment through BSDE.

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APPENDIX 6– Examples of BSDE transferring capacity to other sch ools St George SHS VET program With limited resources and experience at St George SHS, BSDE has partnered with their staff to assist with the delivery and completion of VET pathways. Digital skills are passed on to teachers to assist with future program growth. 39 students currently involved in the program with 3 staff. BSDE Language Hub for the state -ICTs in the Classr oom With a state wide requirement for every school now to provide Languages to every student from Yr 6, BSDE supports schools by enrolling full cohorts in any of BSDE’s six senior language subjects. Staff also now train other teachers to deliver Languages through an online environment to support itinerate staff in regions and also local staff in ICTs and individualising the languages classroom. Feedback: Over 110 external teachers have completed the two day BSDE ICT Languages workshop – 93% rated the PD as very useful or useful and 84% still collaborate in an online discussion group . Senior Enhancement Program Many schools are very aware of the need to support academic students across all subjects as they prepare for Senior QCS Testing. Smaller regional schools find it difficult to fund this program. On developing a partnership with an external provider BSDE trains and links the schools online with specialists in this field, providing students online extension opportunities for higher order thinking. ‘Extending and preparing our best and brightest’ –preparing our talented Middle Years students for future success in senior.

- Project 1 – Dotcom kids Stage 1 (2011)- Currently working with 8 state schools with identified G&T students. The BSDE program will extend students in science and technology creative thinking. BSDE teachers Assist leading the base school staff through ICTs in learning Professional Development forming a learning network with the staff from the school to build further capacity in differentiated learning. Stage 2 (2012) we are currently developing other extension programs in Maths, Performing Arts, and Languages and wish to extend this program to many more state schools. - Project 2- NAPLAN Extension Program As a trial BSDE Staff trained 4 teachers based in other state schools in delivering digital enhancement programs. Across the state 240 high performing students identified in the 2nd highest bands of Literacy and Numeracy NAPLAN test obtained online booster lessons over 10 weeks before the 2011 tests from the newly trained teachers. Quotes: Glen – Trained ‘Numeracy Booster’ Teacher from Mab el Park SS “What I learned from the project has inspired me to reflect on my own teaching in a face to face classroom. The BSDE NAPLAN Project opened my mind to a new way of engaging students through digital technology.”

Coolnwypin SS Principal “(teachers)..not only embedded this into their planning but have requested if we can be part of this project again next year. The classroom teachers have visited their students during their online lessons and are very keen to model similar strategies in their classroom.”

Kaye Gardner Former Ferny Grove SHS Principal , “Ferny Grove SHS is delighted to be in partnership with BSDE and to have one of our Indonesian teachers be part of the online distance education project for Indonesian. Our teacher Rosita Moesa will be using web-conference software to deliver the Indonesian lessons then expanding to deliver to our sister school Semarang school in Indonesia.”

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APPENDIX 7A – NAPLAN Results 2008/2009/2010 Senior Outcomes – raising the bar is a whole school approach, focus starts early ! From 2008 to 2010- In all year levels our NAPLAN RE SULTS HAVE IMPROVED With many students enrolled in BSDE for issues relating to learning, an ongoing challenge is to monitor student progress and aim for improvement for every individual in preparation for successful future senior outcomes.

.

APPENDIX 7B - School Opinion Survey Results BSDE parent satisfaction remains equal to or above the state average. This graph shows parents of BSDE continue to be very satisfied or satisfied with BSDE across areas including curriculum, pedagogy, etc .

Yr 3 NAPLAN RESULTS- National comparison

Yr 5 NAPLAN RESULTS- National comparison

Yr 7 NAPLAN RESULTS- National comparison

Yr 9 NAPLAN RESULTS- National comparison

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National and International Partnerships

Strategic Partnerships -

BSDE had a lead role in designing and co-ordinating delivery of EQ Summer Schools Program for students identified below National Lit and Numeracy benchmarks.

an

ICTS in the Classroom Within our region BSDE works . with many schools leading - Professional development

on enhancing learning using .Technology.

Best and Brightest Programs to Primary Schools Delivering extension opportunities for high achievers:

Curriculum Development Hub BSDE coordinates the

development of other new online programs to be used by SDEs delivered to any school in Q’land.

BSDE is working with staff of Goroka School in PNG. Our staff will train their teachers on teaching practices and the use of Q’land accredited learning programs.

National Hear and Say Partnership

International Education Project

BSDE Core business is to deliver quality learning to every

student

BSDE has many complex levels of leadership and oper ation. Our partnerships ensure transfer of skills and sustainability are a priorit y.

Local Partnerships

Curriculum Into the Classroom Project Partnership with E Learning Branch and T&L Branch.

State Languages Hub Providing new support and training for Languages teachers

Our staff are currently assisting Hear and Say Australia to design Online training packages for their staff.

EQI Visitors PD school International Tours and PD On Q’land Education and E-learning.

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APPENDIX 9A– Principal’s Letter Of Support 14 April, 2011

Principal’s Letter of Support for BSDE Showcase Submissi on Dear Showcase Panel I take great pride in supporting and providing this submission on behalf of the Brisbane School of Distance Education community. I believe this application acknowledges the great journey that BSDE has taken, particularly in the last five years, as dedicated leaders, staff and parent supporters have always worked to put students first. Much of this was well before my time as Principal and due to the great work of many taking leading roles across our school, the journey has continued and is now showing the outcomes of this hard work. All schools face the challenges of providing the best education possible for every child, and all schools have very diverse student needs. Together the BSDE community has risen to this challenge, grappled with the opportunities in technology, and not only aimed to cater for its immediate students but expanded its goal to support any child, anywhere, anytime. BSDE through the provision of accessible and quality educational programs now plays a strong role in providing a fully inclusive learning environment for the wider educational community, and more importantly our children. Yours sincerely Neil McDonald Principal

APPENDIX 9B–P&C Letter of Support for BSDE Showcase Submission TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: On behalf of the parent community, I would like to endorse the Brisbane School of Distance Education’s nomination for a Showcase Award. Over the last few years, the school has made a significant leap forward in providing innovative programs to a wide range of students through the effective and integrated use of technology. These students have previously been marginalised due to geographic isolation, medical conditions, the need to spend vast amounts of time training for sports or practicing music, and many other life circumstances. Since the introduction of web conferencing and a whole of school approach to inclusivity, the students have experienced enormous benefits, both academically and socially. Regular, scheduled web conference lessons have provided our students with the opportunity to connect with their teachers and their peers and to engage with their learning at a much higher level. They now have a visual component to their lessons that telephone teaching could not provide and this has enabled them to see samples of work, written explanations and live demonstrations. They have access to 24 hour online work programs and assistance through podcasts, vodcasts and recordings of lessons they have been unable to attend. This increased access to quality educational facilities has resulted in greater levels of achievement across all areas of the school, as evidenced in the 2010 NAPLAN and Year 12 OP results. Principal Neil McDonald and his executive team have provided expert leadership during this time of rapid change and our school has undergone a complete transformation. Expectations of both student engagement and effective teaching have been increased with every student now receiving high quality up to date programs and the opportunity to attend virtual lessons in every subject area. They have been able to improve relationships with their teachers and their classmates through both synchronous online lessons and asynchronous tools such as wikis, blogs and discussion forums. The parents and home tutors have also been included in this move forward with regular meetings held by teleconference and web conference which has given them increased opportunities to be involved in setting the direction of the school and influencing the management processes. Feedback has been welcomed and acted upon and a home tutor discussion forum is hosted on the school website to allow home tutors to help each other by sharing ideas, successes and challenges. This has allowed families who have previously been isolated from their school community to fully participate in an authentic family-school partnership. Home tutors have also been able to access a wide range of professional development opportunities through online and face to face training sessions. The Brisbane School of Distance Education truly is a school that delivers quality learning programs to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Despite our students having a diverse range of learning environments, abilities and needs, our school is making full use of digital technologies and flexible programming to ensure every child is engaged in the learning process and achieving to their potential. The Parents and Citizens Association fully supports this nomination. Sincerely, Chris Newton -P&C President