Araluen Christian College Annual Report 2014

Transcription

1 Araluen Christian College Annual Report 2014 Location: Alice Springs Postal: 10 Blain Street Telephone: Fax:

2 NT Christian Schools Vision Statement 1 NT Christian Schools Vision Statement The vision statement of NT Christian Schools is, we desire to be a Christian community, learning together to live life as God intended, offering hope for the world. Araluen Christian College Vision Statement: Araluen Christian College partners with families guiding each child s journey of living and learning, providing hope, in Christ, for their future. Principal s Message Araluen Christian College is a learning community of students, teachers, support staff and families who share learning and life together. We work towards becoming the people we are meant to be as God intended. Daily, we seek to provide an environment characterized by positive relational experiences, as each member of the college community actively seeks to be a peace maker while engaging in interesting and varied educational experiences. At Araluen we nurture people to become resilient and able to make a difference in the lives of each other in our college, the wider Alice Springs community and beyond. Our dedicated staff team continually set high expectations for our students. Quality teaching and learning are key priorities at the college. Highly valued are the characteristics of our students, along with their willingness to take risks in their learning while achieving their best academically. Collaboration in our knowledge of students, their needs and abilities and the way we enable the students to progress in their learning is biblically grounded, academically rigorous and socially responsible. We continue to intentionally partner with our families. The many opportunities to meet together as a community throughout the year, builds and strengthens our relationships. People matter at Araluen and this was very evident in It was a significant year for the college as we Celebrated the Past and Embraced Our Future. What a celebration! 30 years of Christian Education in Alice Springs. It was a time to connect with many from the past, to learn more of our story as a school. We celebrated the present with a celebration assembly, BBQ lunch, with games for the students and families. A commemorative tree was planted, more networking time took place and the weekend of celebration was concluded with the 30 th Anniversary Dinner. The weekend was attended by past and present principals, staff, students, invited guests including founding families of the school, the member for Araluen, the Alice Springs Mayor, members of the NT Christian Schools executive and Bevan Richardson the Board Chair of NT Christian Schools. I consider it a privilege to continue to work in partnership with all at Araluen Christian College.

3 Contents 2 Principal Cate Garwood Contents NT Christian Schools Vision Statement... 1 Araluen Christian College Vision Statement... 1 Principal s Message... 1 Contents... 2 School Profile... 3 Staffing Information... 5 Highlights of the Araluen Christian College Year... 6 Teaching and Learning... 8 Parents and community Finance and facilities School self-assessment Endorsement... 13

4 School Profile 3 School Profile 2014 saw enrolments at the college fluctuate throughout the year. The annual census total was 218. Enrolment numbers were 142 in the Primary and 55 in the Middle Years. The average attendance was 91.5% in the Primary area and 90.4% in the Middle Years. The overall average attendance at the College was 90.4%. There were no significant critical incidents in Enrolment Primary Middle 55 Enrolment Enrolment Student Enrolment and average attendance profile for 2014 Araluen Christian College has consistently high rates of attendance. There were no non-attendance issues in 2014.

5 School Profile 4 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Male Female Indigenous Non Indigenous 20% 10% 0% 2014 Gender, Indigenous and Non-indigenous Students Profile for Age 5 Age 6 Age 7 Age 8 Age 9 Age 10 Age 11 Age 12 Age 13 Age 14 Age 15 Axis Title Student Ages by Year Level Profile 2014

6 Staffing Information 5 Staffing Information All teachers have a minimum of four years training and are registered with the NT Teacher Registration Board. There was a small staff turnover in 2014, for a variety of reasons, including the movement of families form Alice Springs to other locations. We continue to have a multicultural staff and a very good gender balance considering the size of the college. Staff employed at Araluen Christian College in 2014: Primary Teachers Qualifications FTE Rosemary Lindsey Dip Tch, Grad Dip SpEd 1.00 Beverley Ashdale B.Ed, Grad Dip Ed 1.00 Lindsay Tweedie BSc, PGCE Primary, MA 1.00 Learning & Teaching Kelly Camarata B.Ed, Grad Dip Ed 1.00 Nicholas Harder B.Arch, Grad Dip Ed. Pri 1.00 Fleurette Moreng Dip Ed, B. Ed, Hons 1.00 Annette Uldrich B. Learn Mang. Prim 1.00 Rupert Croutz Dip Th, B.Ed 1.00 Middle School Teachers Qualifications FTE Jennifer McAllan Dip Tch. Sec, Dip Min, B. Tch & Learning 1.00 Mandla Khumalo B.A., Dip Ed 1.00 Eunice De Kock B.Sc, B.Ed Hons, M.Ed 1.00 Other Teachers Qualifications FTE Catherine Garwood Dip Tch, B.Ed 1.00 Lorne Scott-Wilson BA Hons Th, MTh, Grad Dip Tching Other Staff FTE David Clark Chaplain/Learning Support Assistant 0.2/0.2 Margaret Healy Office Administrator 1.00 Fiona Tasker Office Admin Assistant 1.00 Ranae Hunker Learning Support Assistant 1.00 Dianne Jones Learning Support Assistant 0.7 Rebeccca Nelson Learning Support Assistant 0.6

7 Staffing Information 6 Highlights of the Araluen Christian College Year 30 th Anniversary Celebrations Kidsmatter & Mindmatters wellbeing programs in primary and middle school respectively Leadership programs for the College students leaders Captains & Vice Captains & Sports Captains developing skills of resilience, cooperation, leadership while strengthening well-being Peacemaking opportunities through the Whole College Code of conduct and specific class programs Leadership opportunities in the SRC for students from Year 1 to Year 9 Buddy Programs across the college inter-year level An extensive excursion and camping program is in place for students from Year 5 to Year 9 The ACC Camping programs are a significant annual highlight for our students. During 2014 Years 5 & 6 The middle school of Year 7, 8 & 9 students went to Ross River for a multi-level team building experience in the great outdoors. Primary & Middle School Learn to Swim Programs. The Annual Events; Community Open Day, Whole College Cross Country competition, Whole School Athletics Carnival & End of Year Celebration Evening Extra-curricular sporting programs including primary school and middle school after school competitions in touch rugby and hockey. Chess & Library Clubs during the week at school The Active After School Sport Program continued to be successful as both an outlet for physical exercise and skills training for our primary students. For our Middle School students it is a service and leadership opportunity as they help within the AASC program. Inter school sports competitions in athletics, soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, touch football and rotational sports galas. Other sporting opportunities including; squash, volleyball. Weekly and Yearly Academic and Character Acknowledgment. Special celebration days: Supporting many charities like the Royal Flying Doctor Service through our Crazy Hair Day. Bibles for Africa through our cross country event Run for Bibles.

8 Staffing Information 7 Araluen Christian College continued our involvement with the wider Alice Springs community. We held our own ANZAC service at the College in Our captains laid a wreath at the Alice Springs mid-morning Service on ANZAC day. Once again we proudly took part in the Bangtail Muster parade. The college was also featured online in the Kidsmatter newsletter.

9 Teaching and Learning 8 Teaching and Learning Throughout 2014 Teaching and Learning at Araluen Christian College produced excellent holistic achievement for our students. Engagement with the Australian Curriculum continues with high importance. This included the priority for staff development and in turn the development of teaching and learning programs. The NT Christian Schools Curriculum coordinator worked with staff in on-going Curriculum development. Curriculum teams met regularly to review and enhance programming. Through funding provided by the National School Chaplaincy Program, our chaplain remained employed. We embarked on the process to become a nationally recognized Kidsmatter school through the greater development of our pastoral care and well-being programs at Araluen Christian College. The Mind Matters Program administered through a Peer Support model, develops skills in resilience, problem solving, cooperation and personal responsibility. Mind matters began in earnest in the Middle School during 2014 for years 7 & 9. The Year 8 students engaged in wellbeing programs Strength & Shine for the boys and girls respectively. A key leadership focus with the goal of improving and enhancing student learning experiences was working closely with teachers to develop teaching goals from the aitsl continuum of practice which is informed by the national teacher standards. Our ICT enriched environment increased in resources during Ipads were used within literacy programs in the Primary area.

10 Teaching and Learning 9 Percentage of students reaching national benchmarks and changes in benchmark results from previous year The students at the College in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 participated in the annual NAPLAN testing in. Some analysis of results are included below. Yr 3 Yr 5 Yr 7 Yr Reading Writing 96% 95% 96% 95% 100% 95% 83% 100% -1% -1% -5% +17% 88% 95% 81% 90.5% 93% 73% 65% 73% +7% +9.5% -20% +8% Numeracy 96% 95% 96% 90.5% 100% 90.5% 83% 93% -1% -5.5% -9.5% +10% The proportion of students meeting national literacy and numeracy benchmarks for their year at 3, 5, 7 & 9 in 2013 and It is important to note that all students who attend Araluen Christian College sit the NAPLAN tests including those identified as having special needs. The collaborative work of the staff to meet the needs of our students along with access to quality incursion and excursion experiences for our students allows us to provide high quality teaching and learning at Araluen Christian College. Year 9 is the final year for students at our College.

11 Parents and community 10 Parents and community Parents and carers are encouraged to partner with us at Araluen Christian College. The opportunities to develop these partnerships are many and varied and have continued at our college. Parents participated in a range of sporting and community events. A new event in 2014 was the Middle School bike ride and BBQ to Simpson s Gap. Many parents joined their children for this fun day began with a parent information and get to know you evening including a family barbeque and games. Later in Term 1 the teachers took the chance to have a Knowing Me/Knowing You evening where parents and teachers could compare notes about their knowledge of the children in their classes. Parents also joined us for student led conferences and attended class and school excursions. Parents & carers are encouraged to share their vocational and professional skills and talents within our community. In 2014 a parent was appointed to a 10 hrs per week canteen coordinator position. This opened a way of developing relationships further with the parents/ grandparents who volunteer in our canteen. The 30 th anniversary committee consisted of parents working with staff. Families also assist with College events and fundraising. Families are warmly welcomed to celebrate with the students and staff every week for assemblies and on many other occasions when we get together. We appreciate our parents who not only continue to partner with us in their child/ren s journeys of living and learning but also share their positive experiences of Araluen Christian College with the wider community. This is evident by the way many new families join Araluen Christian College through word of mouth.

12 Finance and facilities 11 Finance and facilities 2014 audited financials list all amounts of income received in the relevant school year Private $603,048 Recurrent $2,289,868 Capital $0 Planned capital improvements funded solely by NT Christian Schools, began at the College in June The building of the Middle School complex began, comprising three general purpose learning area classrooms, a staff room, ablution areas and a science lab along with extensive outdoor learning areas created by 5 meter covered verandahs and grassed areas. Security was increased in 2014 with the completion of the lockable gates for the under-cover area. The newly installed permanent bike stands have been well put to use for the students who choose this healthy form of exercise to and from school. College buildings are in good condition. An application was lodged with the Block Grant Authority (BGA) in 2014 for the development of a full sized basketball court. The funding was approved in November 2014 for work to commence in 2015.

13 School self-assessment 12 School self-assessment During 2014 the College used the School Improvement and Renewal Framework to investigate the areas of Christian Identity and Community and Culture. The SIRF program includes surveying community members, parents, students and staff. The data collected was analyzed with the Parent council and recommendations were made. The College Council then uses the recommendations to develop the College Strategic Plan. SIRF commendations in the area of Christian Identity That Araluen Christian College continue to build on the strength of promoting the Christian faith and biblical perspectives in the daily life and work of the college. It is recommended that communication about the school s history and founding traditions be developed as a brochure to be included in the prospectus and on the website. The area of Christian Identity is to be reviewed in At ACC individuals, groups, businesses and agencies from local and wider communities have productive involvement in the education of students. Parent involvement and participation is evident at all school functions and is a most positive aspect of life at ACC. Cultural diversity is acknowledged, valued and celebrated within the college. Even at a glance the wide variety of nationalities and cultures represented at ACC shows this is an area of strength. Cultural events and emphases are pursued, which encourage students to learn more about cultures they may not be familiar with and this in turn enhances learning. SIRF commendations in the area of Community & Culture It is recommended that the Principal advocate for additional system support for inclusion support of students with learning needs and the school accesses services when available. It is recommended that the Council under take greater engagement with NT Christian Schools and its Board, and request on-going detailed training and mentoring. Future priorities for the Self Improvement Renewal Framework will be Teaching & Learning and Finances & Resources in 2015.

14 Endorsement 13 Endorsement This Report is endorsed by: Cate Garwood Principal Araluen Christian College Andrew McAllan Chair Araluen Christian College Council Debra Twartz Chief Executive Officer NT Christian Schools