our lady of the sacred heart school, merbein

2015 ANNUAL REPORT to the School Community

REGISTERED SCHOOL NUMBER: 1277

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Merbein


2015 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY 1

Contents

Minimum Standards Attestation ............................................................................................................................ 2

Our School Vision ................................................................................................................................................... 3

School Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Principal’s Report ................................................................................................................................................... 5

School Advisory Council Report .............................................................................................................................. 7

Catholic School Culture .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Learning & Teaching ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Wellbeing ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Leadership & Stewardship.................................................................................................................................... 11

Community Engagement ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Financial Performance .......................................................................................................................................... 14

Future Directions ....................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

VRQA Compliance Data ........................................................................................................................................ 15



Contact Details

ADDRESS 18 Box Street (PO Box 416) Merbein VIC 3505

PRINCIPAL Mr. Chris Brouwers

GOVERNING AUTHORITY Fr. Michael McKinnon

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIR

Mrs. Rowena Keenan

TELEPHONE (03) 50252258

EMAIL [email protected]

WEBSITE www.olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au

Minimum Standards Attestation

I, Chris Brouwers, attest that Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School is compliant with:

All of the requirements for the minimum standards and other requirements for the registration of schools

as specified in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and the Education and Training Reform

Regulations 2007 (Vic), except where the school has been granted an exemption from any of these

requirements by the VRQA

Australian Government accountability requirements related to the 2015 school year under the Australian

Education Act 2013 (Cth) and the Australian Education Regulations 2013 (Cth)

20 May 2016



Our School Vision

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School will provide a Catholic Education for each child growing up in our local parish.

In partnership with our local parish community, OLSH will provide a comprehensive

education by developing in all children the particular qualities which will enable them to

contribute to the common good of all society. This is based on the gospel values of:

Love, Trust, Dignity, Respect, Freedom, Forgiveness, Self-Awareness, Self-Discipline

Broad Goals (2013 – 2016)

To strengthen the Catholic School Culture of the school through the full implementation of the Awakenings Curriculum (Catholic School Culture)

To improve the learning outcomes of all students (Learning & Teaching)

To ensure the continued well-being of all students (Student Well-Being)

To strengthen the effectiveness of the staff team (Management & Leadership)

The strengthen the connectedness of the school community with the wider community (School Community)



School Overview

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School is located in the Merbein township and has an

enrolment of 170 students. We are a Catholic School but are open to all families – those with

different faith traditions and those who don’t identify themselves with a religion, but who are

committed to the same values.

At OLSH our professional staff caters for the individual needs of every student. Our aim is to

create an environment where every child can be happy, safe and learn to their full potential.

There is a shared responsibility for the total development of the whole child – spiritual, moral,

social, emotional and intellectual. We encourage all students to accept responsibility for their

own behaviour in a caring and forgiving environment.

In the past year we have continued to work on building staff relationships, the capacity for all

to lead, and positive connections with the parish and community. We continue to develop

Individual Learning Programs for students in need and are strengthening our capabilities in

the areas of Religious Education (through the planning of “rich” assessment tasks),

Numeracy (through rigorous collection and mapping of data) and Literacy (in particular with

the use of the OLSEL Program).

We encourage all families to be active in the education of their child and welcome parent

involvement in the classroom and at school events. We are committed to keeping open the

lines of communication between parent and teacher, conducting parent information sessions

and meetings throughout the year.

We believe that there is always room for improvement at OLSH and strive to meet, head on,

the diverse challenges faced in our community today through a unified approach to all

aspects of our student’s education and development as responsible members of the

community.



Principal’s Report

This year my report is mainly a visual one for the Annual General Meeting, recapping and

celebrating the 2015 year. I would however like to put together a few simple words.

It is mainly thanks that I wish to offer. I have been welcomed into a new environment, and the

community has accepted who I am, and how I operate. I know I will not always keep everyone

happy, but please be assured that my actions are always motivated by the needs of our children

at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

The families, children and staff of our school have been such a pleasure to work with this year.

Our school is a real treasure, and we need to value the positive things about the people here,

especially in an age where some of the values are not so common in general society. Things I

have noted in particular across all levels of the school in some way:

High levels of expectation in regard to both behaviour and work habits

Common sense, and a level of practicality

People being responsible for their own roles and obligations

Supportive families

People prepared to give a helping hand

Valuing of different opinions, and accepting that we don’t have to agree

People who can look at the big picture, not just their own agenda

A huge thanks to the staff of our school, our School Advisory Council, Parents and Friends and

all those who make a contribution to our school.

Special thanks to Sr. Marion, who is our Parish leader, and in many ways a true ‘defender of the

faith’ in our school. Your example and spirit support and lead us as a Catholic school, and I

appreciate this on behalf of both the school and myself.

Chris Brouwers

Principal



HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2015

Our excellent academic programs spanning all year levels.

Our Sacramental Program.

The White Elephant Sale / Fete

Our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Celebrations.

Grandparents’ Day Celebrations.

School and Class Masses.

Book Week Fun Days.

Response to Intervention strategy.

Parent Helpers in Classrooms.

School Camps and Sleepover.

A very successful School Sports’ Days

Completed bus shelter and ‘kiss and go’ zone at the front of the school



School Advisory Council Report

Our Lady of The Sacred Heart School Advisory Council Chair Person’s Report Annual General Meeting 2015

It is with great pleasure that I submit the chairperson’s report for 2015. This year we welcomed Mr Chris Brouwers as our Principal. We also welcomed Rebecca Appledore, Casey Stoetzer and Melissa Sullivan to the school. This year we had our Fete- White Elephant Sale, which was a great success. Thanks to Andrea and her band of helpers for organising this great event. Improvements to the drop off/ pick up area, including asphalting were completed, as well as the new undercover shelter and seating. A double-sided projector was purchased and installed in the Multi-purpose room. To the fellow Advisory council members, I would like to thank you for your support and congratulate you on your hard work and commitment to ensure the best for the students and staff at OLSH. On behalf of the council, students, parents and school, I would like to congratulate Chris and staff on their efforts this year. We appreciate all that you do. To Sr. Marion, thank you for your spiritual leadership and presence around the school. Thanks to Belinda and the Parents and Friends members for your efforts throughout the year. The funds you have raised are put to great use.

Thank you to everyone for your support throughout the year. I have enjoyed working with Chris, teachers, staff and members of the school community. Renee Carmes School Advisory Council Chair person



Catholic School Culture

Goals & Intended Outcomes

To strengthen student engagement in all aspects of faith development.

To develop rich assessment tasks in Religious Education that will engage and inspire students.

Achievements

We successfully participated in planning of “Rich” assessment tasks for our units of work in RE,

leading us to gain a better understanding of how to deliver the curriculum in a more interesting,

engaging way with a view to having better student engagement in Religious Education overall.

VALUE ADDED

Regular PLTs with our CEO support contact on planning engaging assessment tasks for our units of work.

Coming together with other Catholic Primary Schools to celebrate Catholic Education week and

socializing afterwards to continue to grow our partnerships with these schools.

A number of staff attending the Awakenings Introduction in Horsham.

Participation in Masses and liturgies by all students and staff including Beginning of Year Mass,

Ash Wednesday and Easter Liturgies, Mother’s/Father’s Day liturgies, Grandparents Day,

Rosary Liturgy, Mission Mass and Graduation/End of Year Mass.

Participation in activities for Project Compassion and Missions

Parish members are invited on regular occasions to masses, liturgies, Grandparents Days, etc.

Regular visits to Chaffey Aged Care throughout the year and at Christmas to sing carols and to

help with decorations.



Learning & Teaching


To improve Numeracy Standards.

To strengthen student’s interdisciplinary skills.

Achievements

Our Numeracy Standards have improved, as is shown by our results in the MAI Assessment and our PAT M results. Tracking of particular classes using the Stepping Stones program is showing an improvement in results.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

School Captains



Wellbeing


To strengthen student’s personal learning skills.

To strengthen student safety in the cyber environment.

Achievements

We have started implementing the Response to Intervention Strategy, in order to

Prolonged non-attendance is managed at the school by following up with a phone call to home. If there are issues which are preventing a student from coming to school (bullying, personal issues, family issues) then the parents are invited to meet with the child’s classroom teacher or the Principal to help resolve the situation. In extreme cases, appropriate authorities may be contacted if there are serious concerns for the welfare of the child.

VALUE ADDED

A completed Behaviour Management Program initiated

Extension groups for students in Literacy and Numeracy, Intervention groups, including

Reading Recovery, MULTILIT and Toe by Toe.

Collection of National Consistency of Data Collection

Ongoing in-servicing in Special Needs Education (local Cluster Group)



Leadership & Stewardship


To strengthen staff learning.

Achievements

At OLSH we have continued to develop and strengthen staff learning by attendance at regular Professional Development. The on-going development of our Leadership Team contributed to creating a more efficient communication tool between staff, administration and leadership.

EXPENDITURE AND TEACHER PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

DESCRIPTION OF PL UNDERTAKEN IN 2015

Religious Education Leaders in-servicing and Cluster Meetings First Aid Update OH&S Training

Special Needs Co-ordinators Days

Awakenings for Beginning Teachers, Horsham

OLSEL Training Days for Beginning Teachers

Numeracy Co-ordinators Days

Sustainability in-servicing

In-school PLTs (Numeracy, Literacy, Religious Education, OH&S, Special Needs)

NUMBER OF TEACHERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN PL 14

AVERAGE EXPENDITURE PER TEACHER FOR PL $1238.00



Community Engagement


To strengthen parent and community connections for student learning

Achievements

We have continued to promote parent and community connections through the following:

The Prep/One/Two Sleepover

The 2015 School Fete

Parent/Teacher/ Meetings

Classroom parent helpers

Various liturgies and Masses, including Mother’s and Father’s Day liturgies

Grandparents Day

Continuing our Sustainability practices/initiatives (rubbish-free days, worm juice, composting,

recycle/reuse/rubbish, energy saving practices and strategies)

Regular visits to Chaffey Aged Care for various activities

Choir participation in local Carols by Candlelight and Vanilla Slice Festival

Year 3/4 and 5/6 camps

PARENT, TEACHER AND STUDENT SATISFACTION

The following activities would also strongly suggest there is a high level of satisfaction among staff, parents and students on the operation of the school:

Support and participation in the Sustainability Practices

Financial donations to purchase resources

Extremely successful Parents & Friends Fundraising & Social Events

Happy & respectful students

Use of school facilities

Excellent support for staff

General support for all programs

Stable & increased enrolment

Resourcing of Multi-Purpose Room



Involvement in Parish Sacramental program

Attendance at school liturgies

Support for the Parents and Friends meetings and activities

Very high attendance at weekly assemblies

Continued 100% ‘Take Up’ of Grade 6 Tablet Program

Resource buying

Well-ordered and cooperative school environment

Support for Classroom Coordinators program

Support for morning reading program and classroom helpers

Annual Report to the Community

Successful social functions

Effective functioning of the Student Representative Council

Excellent attendance and engagement in parent and teacher meetings

Regular parent attendance and support at school assemblies and special days

Excellent attendance of students on school camps

Positive feedback regarding the student mid-year and annual Reports

Energetic, yet safe playground activity

Willingness of parents to openly discuss issues with the Principal and staff

Parents willing to attend & assist on camps



Financial Performance

REPORTING FRAMEWORK MODIFIED CASH

$

Recurrent income Tuition

School fees -

Other fee income 46841

Private income 35572

State government recurrent grants 412207

Australian government recurrent grants 1674045

Total recurrent income 2168664

Recurrent Expenditure Tuition

Salaries; allowances and related expenses 1404775

Non salary expenses 219345

Total recurrent expenditure 1624121

Capital income and expenditure Tuition

Government capital grants 0

Capital fees and levies 70227

Other capital income 51270

Total capital income 121497

Total capital expenditure 98597

Loans (includes refundable enrolment deposits and recurrent, capital and

bridging loans)

Total opening balance 55000

Total closing balance 45000

Note that the information provided above does not include the following items: System levies charged to individual schools, intra-systemic transfers and diocesan supplementary capital fund (SCF) supported borrowings for primary schools. The information provided is not comparable with other educational sectors. This VRQA template is not comparable to the ACARA school-level income reporting requirements which are to be reported on the MySchool website. ACARA school level reporting requirements will require system level income from Government grants and some private income to be allocated by school. This will be a small adjustment in relation to the total level of

school resources. At this stage, recurrent income from Government sources, school generated income and capital expenditure are to be reported by schools. Additionally when assessing the private income of the school include both recurrent and capital school fees.



VRQA Compliance Data

E2046


PROPORTION OF STUDENTS MEETING THE MININUM STANDARDS

NAPLAN TESTS 2013

%

2014

%

2013–2014

Changes

%

2015

%

2014–2015

Changes

%

YR 03 Reading 94.7 92.3 -2.4 100.0 7.7

YR 03 Writing 94.7 96.2 1.5 100.0 3.8

YR 03 Spelling 80.0 100.0 20.0 94.4 -5.6

YR 03 Grammar & Punctuation 90.0 96.2 6.2 100.0 3.8

YR 03 Numeracy 90.0 96.2 6.2 100.0 3.8

YR 05 Reading 100.0 100.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

YR 05 Writing 100.0 100.0 0.0 95.2 -4.8

YR 05 Spelling 100.0 100.0 0.0 95.2 -4.8

YR 05 Grammar & Punctuation 94.4 90.9 -3.5 100.0 9.1

YR 05 Numeracy 94.4 100.0 5.6 100.0 0.0



AVERAGE STUDENT ATTENDANCE RATE BY YEAR LEVEL %

Y01 92.20

Y02 91.55

Y03 93.03

Y04 92.95

Y05 92.76

Y06 95.04

Overall average attendance 92.92

TEACHING STAFF ATTENDANCE RATE

Teaching Staff Attendance Rate 84.43%



STAFF RETENTION RATE

Staff Retention Rate 75.00%

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

Doctorate 0.00%

Masters 0.00%

Graduate 12.50%

Certificate Graduate 37.50%

Degree Bachelor 87.50%

Diploma Advanced 25.00%

No Qualifications Listed 0.00%

STAFF COMPOSITION

Principal Class 3

Teaching Staff (Head Count)

17

FTE Teaching Staff

15.400

Non-Teaching Staff (Head Count)

10

FTE Non-Teaching Staff

8.395

Indigenous Teaching Staff

0



E2046


PROPORTION OF STUDENTS MEETING THE MININUM STANDARDS

NAPLAN TESTS 2013

%

2014

%

2013–2014

Changes

%

2015

%

2014–2015

Changes

%

YR 03 Reading 94.7 92.3 -2.4 100.0 7.7

YR 03 Writing 94.7 96.2 1.5 100.0 3.8

YR 03 Spelling 80.0 100.0 20.0 94.4 -5.6

YR 03 Grammar & Punctuation 90.0 96.2 6.2 100.0 3.8

YR 03 Numeracy 90.0 96.2 6.2 100.0 3.8

YR 05 Reading 100.0 100.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

YR 05 Writing 100.0 100.0 0.0 95.2 -4.8

YR 05 Spelling 100.0 100.0 0.0 95.2 -4.8

YR 05 Grammar & Punctuation 94.4 90.9 -3.5 100.0 9.1

YR 05 Numeracy 94.4 100.0 5.6 100.0 0.0

our lady of the sacred heart school, merbein

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