DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Queensland State School Reporting – 2011

Mackay State High School (2009)

Postal address PO Box 5665 Mackay MC 4741

Phone (07) 4957 9179

Fax (07) 4957 9100

Email the.principal@mackayshs.eq.edu.au

Webpages Additional reporting information pertaining to Queensland state schools is located on the My School website and the Department’s Right to Information site.

Contact Person

Steve Paulger (Principal)

Principal’s foreword

Introduction

The community of Mackay State High School is proud of the achievements of the students and staff throughout 2011. Mackay State High School motto of “Encouraging Learning for Life” is reflected in these achievements being across academic endeavours, cultural exploits in drama, music and visual arts including the multi-cultural experiences that contribute to the quality of our school, sporting achievements across the full range, complemented by involvement in a wide range of community service activities.

The Report gives a summary of the achievements of the students and staff at Mackay State High School throughout 2011, giving insight into the future directions and goals for 2012 and beyond. Achievement data for our school is detailed, and with other information here and on our school website gives some insight into the range of opportunities available, within our school community.

Copies of this report will be available in the office foyer on request.

School progress towards its goals in 2011

Key aspects of our School Improvement Agenda for 2011 were around setting the High expectation of having

80% of all students achieving ratings of C or better in all subjects studied

Improved engagement and achievement of Indigenous students with Closing the Gap strategies and support and

Through focused support to senior students, improved levels of QCE, OP and VET attainment at exit.

After Semester 1 students had attained 83% of ratings C or better and target was raised to 85% to build expectation even further. Although there was an improvement in the Gap for Indigenous attendance compared to the whole school from 9.7% to 3.8%, there is still too large a difference with the achievement of students which receives continued attention. With the exiting Senior students there was a marked improvement with

QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) awarded to 82% (up from 58% in 2010),

OP 1-15 awarded to 80.4% students (improved from 67% in 2010)

Vet qualification achieved by 99% of students (88% of these being Cert 2 level), improved from 95% in 2010

Another development area that was identified was the promotion of the programs and achievement of our students, staff and school programs which has been carried out using different media options available.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Queensland State School Reporting – 2011

Mackay State High School (2009)

Future outlook

In 2012, Mackay State High School will undertake some several positive initiatives with planning commenced during 2011. These include the State-wide implementation of the Australian Curriculum with the transition to Yr 8, 9 & 10 English, Maths and Science. Staff have been making preparations with the available resources and will continue to develop the curriculum materials as they progress during 2012. During 2012, preparation will commence for the introduction of History in these year levels in 2013.

Mackay State High School leads the way with the implementation of using Information Technology and computers as tools to enhance student learning. With support from Federal Govt Nation Secondary Schools Computer Fund (NSSCF), we intend to introduce the 1:1 eLearning Program, make Laptop computers available to each student in Yr 10, 11 and 12. Some teachers have been widely using this with the Yr 8&9 Laptop class groups, however all staff have been undertaking in-service to enhance their capacity to employ these tools in their classes.

With the high levels of Indigenous students and students from families where often English is not the main spoken language, our staff are always seeking to develop the capacity of our learning programs to best meet the needs of these students to progress along the learning and life pathway that they seek.

Late in 2011, work commenced to make better use of digital technology in our promotions, with work commencing on a new self-managed school website. Our school also established a Facebook site to enable us to utilize this social media site to relay messages and promotions to a wider group of our school community.

Performance of our students

School Profile

Coeducational or single sex: Coeducational

Year levels offered: Year 8 - Year 12

Total student enrolments for this school:

Total Enrolment Girls Boys Enrolment Continuity (Feb 2011 – Nov 2011)

960 433 527 86%

Characteristics of the student body:

Our student population is fairly stable with a small variation being seen each year. Our student population has 15% Indigenous students from areas across Queensland, while we also have approximately 9% of students who are from countries outside Australia, including Sth America, Asia and Pacific Islands. Our school values and recognises the contribution which all students bring to our school. We endeavour to build close ties with our local Primary Partnership Schools to allow smooth & direct transition to High School, as smoothly and positively as possible.

Our school numbers are showing some growth and the retention from beginning to end of year is increasing. One factor that impacts on this feature is our close relationship with local businesses and employers, which partner with our school through offering several work placements and school-based apprenticeships during the year. This is of benefit to these companies and to our students, but does result in some students transitioning to permanent jobs as the business needs change.

Year 12 Graduating Class 2011

Director General Julie Grantham with Captains Emily Arnold & Joel Pattinson-Cashman at Awards Night 2011

Performance of our students

Class sizes – Proportion of school classes achieving class size targets in 2011

Phase Average Class Size

Year 8 – Year 10 23.2

Year 11 – Year 12 14.7

All Classes 19.9

School Disciplinary Absences

Disciplinary Absences Count of Incidents

Short Suspensions - 1 to 5 days 248

Long Suspensions - 6 to 20 days 39

Exclusions 9

Cancellations of Enrolment 9

Mackay State High School applies the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, underpinned by our Core Values of

RESPECT, DEDICATION, CONSIDERATION and PRIDE

Support and Guidance services in our school assist students through personal counselling, often engaging parents, while also convening activities such as our Brekky Club, Strength programs and particular Indigenous services. Additional alternate programs are coordinated in negotiation with parents with Positive Learning Centre, Community Solutions and programs run through the Mackay PCYC. The success rate of these alternative programs with redirecting students back onto a productive vocational pathway is quite high.

Performance of our students

Curriculum offerings

Our distinctive curriculum offerings

Our curriculum offers a range of subjects that ensure that all students undertake a core of subjects which offers alternatives that cater to students’ abilities, interests and vocational pathway goals. These options increase, as students progress towards Yr 12 and then career pathways. Students select subjects at the start of each year for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11. Students at the start of Yr 12 may change subjects to ensure they achieve their Qld Certificate of Education.

Our school’s curriculum has strong emphasis on learning that suits the pathways of our students whether the higher academic pursuits leading to professional careers or the more practically-based vocational options leading to particular areas in the workforce. We endeavour to support and direct students towards the areas most suited to their talents, interests and abilities, ensuring that they attain to the best of their abilities.

Complementing a strong English faculty, in Maths our students are offered Maths A, Maths B, Maths C and Voc. Maths, while in the Science area are offered Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Marine Studies, Science in Practice, Aquatics and Agricultural Skills.

The Social Science, Arts, Physical Education, Business & Technology, Industrial Technology & Design and Home Economics faculties provide quality options at both Authority and Non-Authority levels. Students with Learning difficulties are supported by a team of staff coordinated through our Education Services team through the H.O.S.E.S.

For the past 6 years our school offers students the opportunity to undertake Sporting Academy subjects in the fields of Rugby League (Yr 8-12) and Netball and Football (Yr 8-10). Students need to under interviews to be selected to these groups and are only retained if their performance in engagement, attitude and effort are consistently high.

Our school links with other Secondary schools to offer students options in the Engineering fields at the Mackay Engineering College, providing close links with businesses in the manufacturing trades.

Extra curricula activities

Mackay State High School is a vibrant educational hub for the south Mackay area and our school community through the students and staff engage in a wide range of community based activities.

Students involve themselves in activities that build and challenge their talents including musical performances, interschool sports, Arts Soiree, Instrumental Music performances and competitions, Rock Pop Mime, Debating, Youth Parliament, Lions Youth of the Year, Agric. Show team, Peer tutoring, Student-2-student mentoring, Meals on Wheels and many other opportunities.

Our sporting Academies and general sporting competitions give students the chance to develop their physical skills, while also contributing to the community. Our Academy students often officiate at Primary competitions and regional carnivals to develop their skills, while sharing their abilities to support their younger aspirants.

Each year our students participate in several activities like Relay For Life, where the funds raised are donated to worthy causes.

How Information and Communication Technologies are used to assist learning

Mackay State High School leads the way in ICTs and with targeted Laptop classes in Yr 8 and 9 each year, while teachers and students are using computers and related technologies on a daily basis to assist students with their learning in all subject areas. In 2012, the new 1:1 eLearning program will be introduced for Yr 10, 11 & 12. Students use the technology for learning applications in Graphics, Business, Design aspects in ITD, Analysis of Data in Science, Geography and Maths with data loggers, while using the software for communication and other necessary applications for research and presentation of assignment work. The school has dedicated computer laboratories across the school, supported by pods of laptops that are used by Yr 8 – 12 classes regularly. Our school has wireless internet networking across the school in all buildings allowing Laptop classes and staff to access internet and school network without having to “plug in”.

Performance of our students

Social climate

The welfare of students at our school is a key responsibility of Form Teachers, Year Level Coordinators and members of the Admin Team who are allocated specific Year levels to oversee and support. Year Level Assemblies are held each week to discuss specific activities as well as monitoring behaviour, welfare, attendance and achievement of these students.

The Core Values of RESPECT, DEDICATION, CONSIDERATION and PRIDE underpin all aspects of our school including the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students. This applies to all students and staff, while ever we are representing our school. Students are encouraged to support each other and a strong Student Services team and Year Coordinators network monitors closely the student welfare across the school. Brekky Club is convened most mornings prior to school and is an avenue where students who are experiencing some issues, can link with support staff outside class time.

Across our school in the Junior Secondary grades of Yr 8 and 9, Class Buddies are appointed to act as student liaisons with Form Teachers. Buddies are drawn from Yr 11 & 12 volunteer students who undergo some training to support younger students as they settle into their commitments as a high performing secondary student. Our school has no tolerance for bullying-type behaviour and support and guidance is provided to students in dealing with instances. Reporting incidents of such behaviour is required to stamp out such behaviours. Direction is given to perpetrators to change their behaviour dealt with under Responsible Behaviour Plan, with parents involved to assist them also.

Our school staff, especially the Guidance Officer, School-Based Youth Health Nurse, Chaplain and other support agencies they engage, play a very important role in supporting the student welfare cause.

Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school

This data is improving from previous year particularly in the parent satisfaction level in relation to the “good education” provided with 16% improvement. The response to the staff responses has improved and can continue to grow. The improved promotion of the successes through the media and celebration of successes of our students and staff will build these levels.

Performance measure Result 2011

Percentage of parents/caregivers satisfied that their child is getting a good education at school 81%

Percentage of students satisfied that they are getting a good education at school 74%

Percentage of parents/caregivers satisfied with their child’s school 76%

Percentage of school workforce satisfied with access to professional development opportunities that relate to school and systemic initiatives

59%

Percentage of staff members satisfied with morale in the school 70%

DW – Data withheld

Involving parents in their child’s education

Parents, family and carers are encouraged to be engaged in their child’s education and extra curricula activities and generally are very supportive of the students, assisting staff where they can. The Parents & Citizens Association plays an important role in providing advice to school on curriculum and student welfare matters as they arise, as well as resource support through the finances available through the Tuckshop Service to students daily. When the opportunities for parent-teacher interviews or school presentations are available, there is generally good support through people participation. Parents are always encouraged to make contact with the school or their child’s teacher if they have any queries. Similarly, teachers are asked to relay any stories / issues to parents where this will benefit the child. Parent Teacher interviews are held each semester. Induction and Information evenings are held throughout the year to engage with parents, Interviews are held with parents for SET Planning with Yr 10 students, while parents are closely involved with students signing up for SATs.

With our Indigenous Education EATSIPS committee there is good representation from students and parents to support the staff. Each year the Cultural Day held during School NAIDOC celebrations brings lots of parents into the school. Each year our students involved in school extra-curricular activities draw on the valued support of parents and families to support staff in the successful convening of these events eg Optiminds, Arts Soiree. In 2011, Mackay State High School hosted the regional judging of Optiminds, which saw many staff and parents supported by students, fulfilling the many roles required for this activity involving over 700 students in the competition.

Performance of our students

Reducing the school’s environmental footprint

Mackay SHS endeavours to reduce its levels of usage of resources such as electricity and water. The wet weather over 2010 assisted in this goal, and in late 2010 the school had several solar panels installed to assist in reducing our energy usage in the future also. These panels were complimented by further units purchased for fitting in 2012.

(Data is sourced from school's annual utilities return and is reliant on the accuracy of these returns).

Environmental footprint indicators, 2010-2011

Electricity KwH

Water KL

2011 572,907 3,220

2010 749,923 4,784

% change 10 - 11 -24% -33%

Remembrance Day Ceremony Aboriginal Artist – Arthur Conlan

CHOICES Dramatization Junior Science Challenge

Performance of our students

Staff composition, including Indigenous staff

Workforce Composition Teaching Staff Non-teaching Staff Indigenous Staff

Headcounts 76 33 <5

Full-time equivalents 73 23 <5

Qualifications of all teachers

Highest level of

attainment

Number of

classroom

teachers and

school leaders

at the school

Doctorate 0

Masters 0

Bachelor degree 72

Diploma 4

Certificate 0

01020304050607080

0 0

72

40

Doctorate

Masters

Bachelor degree

Diploma

Certificate

Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development

The total funds expended on teacher professional development in 2011 was $13500.

The major professional development initiatives are as follows:

Australian Curriculum presentations were the heavy focus as well as using ICT in students’ learning were the heavy focus during 2011. These were complemented by a range of QSA subject based workshops, SDCS, First Aid Certificate updates etc.

The proportion of the teaching staff involved in professional development activities during 2011 was 100%. Some of these were school based and held on SFD, however all staff including Ancillary Staff, cleaners were involved at some time..

Performance of our students

Average staff attendance

For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders, the staff attendance rate was 96% in 2011.

Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year

From the end of the previous school year, 91% of staff was retained by the school for the entire 2011 school year.

School income broken down by funding source

School income broken down by funding source is available via the My School website at http://www.myschool.edu.au/.

To access our income details, click on the My School link above. You will then be taken to the My School website with the following ‘Find a school’ text box.

Where it says ‘Search by school name’, type in the name of the school you wish to view, and select <GO>’. Read and follow the instructions on the next screen; you will be asked to accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before being given access to the school’s My School entry web page.

School financial information is available by selecting ‘School finances’ in the menu box in the top left corner of the school’s entry web page. If you are unable to access the internet, please contact the school for a paper copy of income by funding source.Key student outcomes

Student attendance - 2011

The overall attendance rate for the students at this school (shown as a percentage) in 2011 was 85%.

The overall attendance rate for all Queensland state Secondary schools over the same period was 89%.

Student attendance rate for each year level

Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

89% 83% 82% 86% 87%

Indigenous attendance improved by 5.7% from 2010-2011, however still remained 4.3% below the Whole school rate of attendance in 2011. There has been a continued improvement and current level is the best for the past 5 years. The Apparent Retention rate gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous is better than the State-wide figure in 2011.

Performance of our students

Student Attendance Distribution

The proportions of students by attendance range.

Description of how non-attendance is managed by the school

Non-attendance is managed in state schools in line with the DET policies, SMS-PR-029: Managing Student Absences and SMS-PR-036: Roll Marking in State Schools, which outline processes for managing and recording student attendance and absenteeism.

Student rolls are marked at Form Class and then at each lesson attended. The morning and one of the afternoon records are then transferred to the Official OneSchool Attendance records. The school has an answering service allowing parents to register their child’s absence at any time and are encouraged to do so. Form teachers and if repeat offenders Year Masters will contact families to seek explanations for unexplained absences. Attendance reports are sent home at least each Term for reasons for absences to be recorded. Investigation to occur in 2012, into automatic SMS system linked to IDAttend.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results – our reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy results for the Years 9.

Our reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy results for the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are available via the My School website at http://www.myschool.edu.au/.

To access our NAPLAN results, click on the My School link above. You will then be taken to the My School website with the following ‘Find a school’ text box.

Where it says ‘Search by school name’, type in the name of the school whose NAPLAN results you wish to view, and select <GO>’.

Read and follow the instructions on the next screen; you will be asked to accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before being able to access NAPLAN data.

If you are unable to access the internet, please contact the school for a paper copy of our school’s NAPLAN results.

Performance of our students

Achievement – Closing the Gap

Under the CTG strategy, Mackay State High has several initiatives to support this. Initially our Community Education Counsellor has developed close links with the Indigenous students in our local State Schools to support their smooth transition, as well as liaising closely with Indigenous workers at these Primary Partnership schools. School staff focus on developing class based learning that suits the learning needs of students from different backgrounds. In class support programs, targeting students in Junior Secondary grades, are provided in discussion with class teachers and reviewed each Term.

Retention rates are comparable with those across State Schools, however we are endeavouring to both hold students who seek to complete Yr 12, while giving support and advice to those seeking alternative training or work. Of our graduating Indigenous Yr 12 students, three are attending TAFE, 4 are undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships, while 6 are in full or part-time employment. Only one is still seeking employment, but is actively seeking work and doing volunteer work.

During 2011, increased effort was made to engage particularly Yr 10-12 Indigenous students in Work Experience blocks. Assistance was gained through the Regional Indigenous YAT personnel in sourcing possible host employers. In 2011 there were 3 Indigenous students undertaking SATs.

Apparent retention rates Year 10 to Year 12.

Year 12 student enrolment as a percentage of the Year 10 student cohort. 60%

Apparent retention of Indigenous students is well below that of the non-Indigenous students at a similar rate to the State and Regional level. Staff including the Community Education Counsellor, are tracking the students’ destinations when they leave school or the district to evaluate their pathway.

Outcomes for our Year 12 cohort of 2011

Number of students receiving a Senior Statement. 103

Number of students awarded a Queensland Certificate Individual Achievement. 1

Number of students receiving an Overall Position (OP). 41

Number of students who are completing/continuing a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. 18

Number of students awarded one or more Vocational Educational Training qualifications. 99

Number of students awarded an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Certificate II or above. 88

Number of students awarded a Queensland Certificate of Education at the end of Year 12. 90

Number of students awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD). 0

Percentage of OP/ IBD eligible students with OP 1-15 or an IBD. 80%

Percentage of Year 12 students who are completing or completed a SAT or were awarded one or more of the following: QCE, IBD, VET qualification.

96%

Percentage of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) applicants receiving an offer. 97%

Performance of our students

Overall Position Bands (OP)

Number of students in each Band for OP 1 to 25.

OP 1-5 OP 6-10 OP 11-15 OP 16-20 OP 21-25

9 4 20 8 0

Vocational Educational Training qualification (VET)

Number of students awarded certificates under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

Certificate I Certificate II Certificate III or above

96 88 3

Most graduating students have been awarded Certificate 2 in Workplace Practices, which is a major achievement by both our students and staff with figures in 2010 showing 107 with Cert 1 and only 13 with Cert2 qualifications. Quite a number of students undertake the Certificate 1 in Construction, Certificate 1 in Furnishing, Certificate 1 in Engineering Practices and Cert 1 in Manufacturing. These are linking in with The Mackay Engineering College and their pathway to a trade career.

Post-school destination information

At the time of publishing this School Annual Report, the results of the 2011 Year 12 post-school destinations survey, Next Step – Student Destination Report for the school were not available. Information about these post-school destinations of our students will be incorporated into this Report in September.

Early leavers information

The destinations of young people who left the school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12.

Students who leave school prior to completion of Year 12, are often transitioning immediately into full-time employment and apprenticeships / traineeships. A small number move to courses at TAFE that are more suited to the particular training which they are seeking to gain employment in their preferred vocation. The preparation and re-visit to the Student Education and Training (SET) Plan, prepared in Sem 2 of Year 10 in conjunction with staff and parents, assists in the tracking of these pathways. Students destinations are recorded on OneSchool when they depart.