St Josephs Oatley - Annual Report 2003
ABOUT THIS REPORT
The Annual Report to the School Community for this year provides the school community with fair, reliable and objective information about school performance, initiatives and developments during the year and the achievements arising from the implementation of the Annual Development Plan 2003.
The report draws together information of major interest and importance to the school community and demonstrates accountability to the Catholic Education Office, Sydney and other regulatory bodies.
This report complements, and is supplementary to school newsletters and other regular communications. Further information about the school and/or this report is available at the school. The contents of this report will be discussed at the Parent Information Meetings in February next year.
Geoff Carey
Principal
15th December 2003
Our school is located in the growth area of the St George railway corridor and draws most of its students from the local parish community. The school was established in 1953 by the Sisters of St Joseph and is closely linked to the parish.
The staff of 18 includes the Principal and Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator, 7 classroom teachers (fte), and a full time Secretary. The school has an energetic part-time team including, Literacy Team, a Teacher Librarian, Library Technician, a Special Needs Teacher, Music Teacher, Technology Support and 2 Teacher's Aides.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Introduction
2003 marked the 50th year of St Joseph's operation. Usually such an occasion would be recognised in some celebratory way. However, this 50th Anniversary was marked by a different kind of celebration, a more lasting tribute to 50 years of Catholic Education in Oatley, our school building project.
At the beginning of term 4, students in years 3,4,5 and 6 moved into new rooms. Upon moving into their new rooms the students were asked to consider a saint who best exemplifies to them the school motto “Faith - Knowledge - Peace”. Thus the four new rooms were dedicated to St Patrick, St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Siena and our own Mary Mackillop.
During the later part of the term, new school administration and staff facilities were occupied in the totally refurbished lower ground floor. Minor works were carried out in the remaining classrooms.
As was to be expected the school building program dominated the year and with our small site. School operations were disrupted on a regular basis. The staff at St Joseph's is to be commended on its flexibility and skill in continuing with their educational programs in very trying circumstances.
Nevertheless, the end result was worth the inconvenience. Now with works planned for early next year and our completed projects, the school presents as an excellent, contemporary facility ready to meet the educational needs of our students.
Celebrating our Catholic Faith
Liturgical celebrations have been enhanced through utilising the talents of the staff, parents and students throughout the year.
Once again the students supported a range of fund raising activities including the Charitable Works Fund, St Vincent de Paul, Lions Club, Youth Off the Streets, Catholic Missions, Starlight Foundation and Project Compassion.
Confirmation was celebrated in the parish for the first time in many years, school staff, community and students played a leading role in the organisation of the celebration of the sacrament.
This year, long-serving Parish Priest, Fr Michael McCarthy retired. Father John Doherty came to the parish in July as Administrator and was appointed Parish Priest in December.
For the first time the Kindergarten students were presented to the parish community at Sunday mass.
In early December the school community attended the launch of the New Religious Education Syllabus To Know Worship and Love for the Archdiocese of Sydney.
The Student Representative Council developed a link with the parish chapter of St Vincent de Paul, organising hamper donations for Easter, a blanket collection in the winter and gift & foood hampers collections project for Christmas.
Working in Partnership
Through the parent working bees significant improvements were made to the school plant. This was especially highlighted with the completion of the major landscaping project at the conclusion of the building program. These working bees were extremely well supported by parents. This support greatly assists in maintaining the quality of the school environment.
This year we saw the retirement of Anna Marie Haswell as president of the Parents and Friends Association. Anna Marie's positive contribution to all aspects of school life was much appreciated.
During 2003, the St Joseph's Action Team for Partnership (ATP), had once again as its major aim, the development of stronger home-school-parish partnership, through more effective communication structures.
Major ATP initiatives for 2003 were orientation and transition programs for Kindergarten and Year Six, the introduction of a Kindergarten Welcoming Mass, the collation of a database of school/community resources and personnel, and the support of Parish Sacramental programs.
Strong community involvement was encouraged throughout the year in such areas as: the ‘Bridging the Gap' Literacy Intervention Program, interschool chess and debating competitions, liturgical celebrations, Physical Education programs, classroom activities, working bees, landscaping of the school environs, and costuming, sound and staging for the end of year production.
Grainne Norton (Parent Community Educator CEO Eastern Region) was invited by the team to discuss possible future ATP directions/initiatives for 2004
Teaching and Learning
The Literacy Committee continued to assist in the development of classroom strategies to enhance literacy development throughout the school.
A procedure to better identify student special needs was developed and implemented. The staff began to differentiate curriculum materials so that these students can cover topics in greater depth and be challenged in the process.
Staff was in-serviced on the Archdiocesan Numeracy Strategy Phase 2.
Teaching and learning practices have been enhanced through continued access to the Internet, which was enhanced by the installation of the Curriculum Server allowing teachers and staff to access their work from a range of locations. Three staff members took part in specific training in multimedia production including the use of the school's new digital video/still camera.
A Gifted and Talented Committee was formed to assist with the implementation of programs for students with special gifts and talents. One of the functions of the Committee was to identify and test students for giftedness. Significant staff development was delivered in assisting teachers in catering for gifted students within the classroom; identifying opportunities outside of the curriculum and the organisation of a range of guest presenters and facilitators for the students.
Resources
The School building program dominated most events of the year. A new, elevated 4-classroom block was completed for the start of term 3. A bridge to the other learning areas linked the new building works.
The schools administration block was relocated and now occupies the front of the school. Staff facilities were also relocated to the refurbished ground floor level.
Student Performance
Students in Year 3 and Year 5 participate in the Basic Skills Test. The purpose of this test is to provide information to parents and teachers about the achievements of students in aspects of Literacy and Numeracy. The test provides a measure of students' performance compared with other students in the State and gives an indication of areas of strength and areas for improvement. Each year the results are analysed by the school to inform teaching practice with a view to improving student performance.
The results for this year were mixed. The year five result was outstanding, especially in literacy with 96% of students achieving bands 5 and 6. However, the numeracy result in year 3 was disappointing by the school's usual high standards. Immediate intensive analysis and programs were put in place to target areas of deficiency.
Parents of students participating in these tests receive detailed information on their child's results including their achievement according to Skill Bands. The Skill Bands graduate from Skill Band 1 through to Skill Band 5 (Year 3) and Skill Band 6 (Year 5). The graphs below indicate the performance of our students.
Percentage of Students in Skill Bands
Primary Writing Assessment (PWA) is a curriculum-based assessment for Year 3 and Year 5, testing students' skills in particular aspects of Literacy. This year the PWA was conducted on Wednesday 30 July. PWA results are reported on the same Skill Bands as the Basic Skills Tests. The results of the test provide diagnostic information about student writing achievements that can be used to inform teaching and learning programs in order to improve writing outcomes. The results in this assessment were also commendable. In Year Three 58.4% (State average 46.5%) of students scored in the top two bands. In Year Five 78.3% (State average 48%) of students scored in the top two bands
During 2003 other features of student performance included:
Year 6 students gained outstanding results in the Archdiocesan Religious Education Test including 6 High Distinctions, 6 Distinctions, and 7 Credits from a group of 21 students. Student scores averaged 76.6%, an outstanding 9.6% above the regional average. This result placed the school near the very top of all Archdiocesan schools.
The school achieved excellent results in the University of New South Wales Competitions. Students achieved well above the competition averages with 32 High Distinctions and Distinctions awarded across a range of competitions.
Year 5 and 6 students successfully participated in the Regional Debating Competition with great skill and poise. In line with the school's emerging Gifted and Talented Policy two selective teams were chosen and had specialist coaches train the teams. All St Joseph's teams performed exceptionally well, with the selective teams in particular competing with great distinction.
Chess continues to grow with our students competing in NSW Junior Chess League. This year the school entered 7 teams with students competing from Kindergarten to year 6. Our top championship team again was placed 4th in its highly competitive division. In the St George One Day Tournament two of our three teams tied as equal third.
Future Directions
Major areas to be addressed in 2004 include:
Phase three of the building program, the relocation of the library to the old convent and the demolition of the old block to make for soft fall playground, will commence on the 6th of January with a completion date anticipated for the beginning of term 2.
During 2004 the school will participate in two important system processes. Firstly the school will undertake Educational Audit during Week 4 of Term Two. The audit will seek to validate the management and educational programs offered by the school in accordance with the Education Act. Secondly during TermThree the school will participate in the process of School Review and Development (SRD). This process attempts to set the strategic management plan for the school for the next cycle of four to five years.
The staff will continue with the Archdiocesan Numeracy Strategy Phase 2. Significant funding increase for the identification of suitable resources to enhance student learning will be allocated with the establishment of the new teachers resource area.
With the relocation of the library and subsequent technology upgrade, intensified development of programs to enhance Information Technology skills of staff and students will be developed and supported by the IT Support Teacher..
The development of a Gifted Education Strategy will continue in 2004, with a greater emphasis on K-6 programs.
Parental Contributions To Tuition Fees And School Related Charges 2003 Year
Tuition Fees : $88,053
School Based Fees : $69,031
Other Income : $64,759
Total : $ 221 843
Further Financial Information About The Archdiocesan System Of Schools
2002 Financial Statement
Catholic Schools are accountable for all monies received. Each year, the Sydney Catholic Education Office submits to the Commonwealth Government a financial statement on behalf of the 148 parish primary and regional secondary schools. This statement details the income and expenditure of each school and for the Archdiocesan system of schools. A summary of the income and expenditure reported to the Commonwealth Government for 2002 is as follows:
INCOME $million EXPENDITURE $million
Parents' Contributions $ 82.0 20% Educational & School Support $101.6 25%
Commonwealth Government $ 220.7 53% Total Salary Costs $299.8 73%
State Government 2 $ 84.8 21% CEO Administration & Support 3 $ 5.2 1%
Government Targeted Grants $ 16.2 4% Surplus $ 3.3 1%
Interest and Other $ 6.2 2%
Total Income $ 409.9 Total Expenditure $ 409.9
State and Commonwealth Government student grants are paid into an account at the Sydney Catholic Education Office. Salaries for all staff and many operational costs are paid from this income on behalf of our school.
During the year the school submitted to the Commonwealth Government a detailed report of all our income and expenditure including government grants and staff salaries. (Department of Education Science and Training Financial Questionnaire)
The Catholic Education Office on behalf of the 148 Catholic Systemic schools also submitted a detailed financial report to the Commonwealth Government. In addition, the CEO publishes an Income and Expenditure Statement in its Annual Report, which becomes available in June each year.
The accounts of all Catholic Systemic Primary Schools and of the Catholic Education Office are externally audited annually. All Primary Schools are subject to an internal audit once every two years.
Notes
1. Parents' contributions include Archdiocesan tuition fees of $40.5 million, School Charges & Building Levy & P & F contributions of $41.5 million.
2. Income from Commonwealth and State recurrent government grants is received by the Catholic Education Office on behalf of the schools. Staff Salaries are paid from this income.
3. CEO Administration and Support excludes salaries, which are included in total salary costs.