NORTH COLCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 NORTH COLCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY The wonderful community of Tatamagouche is nestled between the scenic Waugh and French Rivers, on the North Shore of Nova Scotia, originally inhabited by the Mi kmaq people. Today Tatamagouche is home to people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Tatamagouche offers many opportunities to expand knowledge and abilities. Students are involved at the new Creamery Square where they have participated in boat building challenges, summer employment, and the community theatre. From the Creamery Square, a short walk in either direction, the picturesque waterfront can be accessed by the recently constructed Trans- Canada Trail. Along this trail, students have explored many different learning opportunities. Students have played an active role in the development and use of the Butternut Trail, construction of Patterson s Wharf, employment at the Unique Train Station Inn and Café, Saturday morning Market, amoungst other school based activities. The 64 year old school continues to be seen as the hub of the village. The school is utilized by the community for activities such as Cadets, adult badminton and volleyball, Fireman s Dinner, Community GO MUSTANGS GO! dances and auctions and is available for other events. Student involvement thrives at North Colchester High. Outside of school students expand their reach into the community by their involvement in Duke of Edinburg, 4H, Cadets, and Volunteerism. Students, through Fundraising events and use of school resources, have worked with members from this generous community, to reach out locally, nationally and globally. Student population of NCHS is approximately 190 students with grades 7 through 12 attending. NCHS maintains closely tied with Tatamagouche Elementary and often the two schools pair together to offer unique learning experiences. NCHS offers a broad range of academic and extra-curricular activities. NCHS staff and students strive to foster a truly enriching environment to enhance a strong educational foundation. In Dec. of 2013, the Minister of Education, Karen Casey, Announced the construction of a new P-12 school to be constructed in Tatamagouche. This was exciting news for the entire community! Site selection began in early June and we hope to hear the results by Sept Inside this issue: School and Community 1 School Advisory Council 1 Safe and School Environment 1 Assessment Results 2 Student Engagement 3 Professional Development 3 Additional School Supports 3 Planning for Improvement 4 NCHS and Tatamagouche Elementary have a combined SAC. This year the major topics of discussion was the planning of the new school. The School Steering Team met several times during the year to plan and review the proposed school design. In June, a final design was submitted for consideration by both staff and the Community with the hope that construction would begin in the Fall of SCHOOL ADVISORY COUN CIL The Enhancement Committee was struck in the Winter of 2015 and determined that an additional 100 sq feet would be added to the cafeteria. Several meetings were hled along with a Rate Payers Meeting in June. The Committee is confident that the $ goal will be reached by the time construction begins. It was also announced in May that Brian Holmes would be the Principal when the new school opens in Other topics of discussion centered on the monthly reports submitted by the, individual schools and Continuous School Improvement Planning SAFE and Orderly Environment NCHS provides a safe and orderly environment for the students to learn. We offer a BLUE Card program that recognizes students who do good deeds. NCHS also recognizes students monthly through our Student of the Month Assembly where we honor 2 students each month. This culminates with the selection of the Students of the Year. Finally for the past two years we have participated in the Let Me Be Me rally which allows students to express their individuality

2 Page 2 The final results of the Student Engagement goal are represented below. As the chart indicates, NCHS met its goal of a 10% increase in positive responses to a school based survey measuring engagement and involvement in school based activities. The data also revealed that our Junior High students were more engaged that our High School students. We felt that it would be interesting to see the results when the Junior students reached High School graduation. Sample of Math Goal Results - This represents the mean score of the grade 7 and grade 10 classes on the common assessment that focused on math vocabulary

3 Page 3 STUDENT ENGAGEMENT-HIGHLIGHTS OF YEAR Academic/Extra-Curricular *Science Fair *Reach For The Top *Work Placement *Peer Tutoring *Heritage Fair *Math League *Girl s and Boy s Leadership *Stop Committee *Student Council *Peer-mentoring *Drama *Field Trips *Cultural Fair *New Media Workshop *Art Club *Yearbook Club * Carving *International Trips GSA Committee *Tech-Shop Conference * NCHS Social Justice Day Athletic *Running Club *Softball *Ski Club *Basketball *Volleyball *Soccer * Track and Field Social *Blue Card * Music Nite *Music Club *Lunch Hour Jam Sessions *Dances *Oktober Fest *Breakfast Club *Lucky Duck Race *Prom *Grad Banquet *Junior Jig *Meet and Greet *Grade 6 Orientation Day PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT Professional Development focused primarily on Continuous School Improvement.. Staff worked in the following teams: 1. Math Goal 2. School Performance Goal 3. Reporting. Each team worked collaboratively with a focus on supporting the two school goals. The Math Goal Team developed a common assessment to determine areas of strength and weakness, particularly as it relates to the understanding of math terminology. Cindy Hall, CCRSB Assistive Technology Consultant, worked with staff to support school goals. For example, Math Apps, software Programs were introduced and Itunes cards were purchased for staff. Two SMART Boards were purchased to support each goal. One Board went to a math classroom and one went to a Social Studies classroom. Weekly memos with PD suggestions were distributed and staff were in serviced on Powerschool Gradebook. The CSI Final report was prepared by staff for submission in June. Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pelé ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SUPPORTS The shared drive was used to store documents related to the CSI plan. The results of the Common Math Assessments along with the School Performance Goal Survey provided access for all staff. Math Mentor and Consultant provided support and materials for teachers upon request. RCH, FOSS, provided funding for NCHS Social Justice Day, along with a $500 Student Action Grant. On April 30, 2015, NCHS hosted a Social Jus- tice Day with a variety of presentations including a keynote address by Will NJuko, motivational speaker. Resources were also accessed through the CCRSB Online site and the Eduportal. Support was also provided through the school Guidance Counselor, Heidi Mitton, by presentations to all grade levels, along with the RCMP school liason, Jayne MacDonald. Tatamagouche approved for new P-12 school. Construction is expected to begin during the 2015/16 fiscal year. Hon. Karen Casey, Minister of Education

4 CONTINUOUS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT School Goals: 1. By 2015, NCHS will increase by 10% the number of students who respond positively to a school based survey designed to measure, motivation, involvement and engagement. Data Reviewed: Original survey results from regarding school culture and student engagement. (See attached graph). 2. By 2015, the overall Math mean level score for NCHS students will be 75%, based on common school wide assessments, with a concentration on improving basic math language and comprehension. Data Reviewed: CCRSB Assessment Results, Provincial Assessment Results, Report Card Data, common vocabulary was pulled from individual classroom teacher assessments. The sample above shows that a significant portion of the Math 7-1 class demonstrated confusion with the term quotient. Observing this, math teachers would focus on both using this term more (and with an awareness on context) in their classes, as well as having a discussion with non-math teachers about concerns with the use of the word in other contexts. Chignecto-Central School Board 60 Lorne Street Truro, Nova Scotia

5 Final Thoughts - Lessons Learned Growth is reflected in the data for both goals. There is the opportunity to inform the students of their growth and allow the teacher to discuss the areas of focus and to track individual and whole-class results. Increased collaboration among teachers. Better understanding of other subjects and grade level expectations. Develop a common assessment specific to each Grade level and continue administering the common assessment.