Introduction: Northside Christian College (Qld) Ltd is situated in Brisbane Queensland at 151 Flockton Street Everton Park. Northside is an independent, co-educational Christian school and is a member of I.S.Q. (Independent Schools, Queensland), A.C.S. (Australian Christian Schools). Northside cared for 1274 students from Preparatory to Year 12 in 2009. The College s Motto is Character through Christ. Our Mission Statement is To make disciples of Jesus Christ, educated and equipped for any future. The College is well-known and respected for its commitment to character development, community service, excellence and a Christ-centred education. The view of Northside Christian College is that each student is a precious gift from God and is valued as an individual of worth with God-given abilities. The College has been careful to remain balanced enough to care for students while maintaining a sufficient size to provide the facilities and programs that families require. Division of the College into Junior, Middle and Senior Schools enables the staff to be attentive to students needs. Regular reporting and parent/teacher interviews keep parents well informed of student progress. As a Christian College seeking to students character, pastoral care plays an essential role in ensuring the culture is one in which students feel safe and free to learn. Encouraging selflessness, care and compassion for others, and providing the academic, spiritual and personal support students need are just some of the many facets of pastoral care at Northside Christian College. Northside Christian College commenced out of the conviction that the Christian home should be supported by a school which shares its values and which is willing to assist parents as they fulfil their parental responsibilities. The College celebrated its 25 th anniversary in 2009. Founders Day was established, and involved a service attended by all staff and students that recounted the early history of the College and also made a presentation to the founder and current College Council Chair Mr Graham Corney. Reverend Tim Costello AO addressed students, staff and guests at the inaugural Character Oration which was established to reflect on the College motto Character through Christ. Founders Day 2009 Curriculum Distinctives: In the Junior School students learn the foundational skills of English through the Spalding Method, a structured, sequential and consistent approach to embed relevant and practical knowledge about our language and its use. Junior School s Educational Support Unit has recently moved into brand new facilities. This bright and exciting new facility hosts the educational support staff with specific portfolios to case manage
students needs in the following areas: special needs, learning difficulties, enrichment and English as an Additional Language. Students unique needs are met through trained staff specialising in early intervention and parent education, learning support through modified curriculum, withdrawal and inclass advisory roles, enrichment opportunities and differentiated curriculum. A variety of contexts for participation at a higher level include: enrichment maths groups, Maths Olympiad, Science Challenge, ICAS Competitions, Chess Club, creative writing group, thinking skills programs, problem solving groups. Technology is used to enhance the English program through the use of CSI Comprehension and Accelerated Reader. A significant emphasis is placed on the integration of IT into every classroom through a team of e- Learning integrators. These members of staff, with particular expertise in areas of IT, are working within every key learning area of the College to introduce the teachers to the technologies and their applications, and to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. Interactive Whiteboards are installed in every Junior School learning area, along with digital cameras, printers and scanners for each classroom whilst, in the Middle and Senior Schools, data projectors have been installed in all classrooms. College Chapels and Assemblies are open to parents at any time, and are generously attended. The College highly values parent attendance at events and ceremonies as one means of enacting our desire to be a community. Secondary staff continue to explicitly and implicitly teach thinking skills to target the common curriculum elements, which cover the skills and key thinking processes that underpin the Queensland Curriculum and the Queensland Core Skills test. Test data reports from the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) have been examined by the QSA training team and any identified specific areas of weakness in students performances are addressed in classroom practices as well as in training sessions. The Middle School employs integration across subject areas to promote the context and meaning of learning. One example of this is a program called Innovation and Discovery that functions particularly well within IT and the Arts in Year 7. Year 12 students, particularly in Mathematics, continue to take opportunities to extend themselves in their learning by participating in the University of Queensland s Enhanced Studies Program. Years 9 and 10 students also have opportunities to extend their scientific literacy at the University of Queensland s Experience Science, and the Brain Bee (Years 10 and 11). A continued strengthening of the values-education program, through auditing and updating of the Life Skills curriculum, has continued. Themes have centred on developing inner beauty for the girls and strength with character for our boys. Northside offers students academic and vocational pathways and a well developed guidance and careers program. Northside provides Certificate III in Community Services (Children s Services) through Charlton Brown College, and is also working in partnership with four other local schools to provide training in Electrotechnology, Renewable energy and Engineering at Brisbane North West Trade Training Centre.
Co-Curricular Activities: An extensive and enriching Co-Curricular Program operates throughout the College during class times, lunch times and outside school hours. Students are given opportunities to extend skills and venture into areas of interest. In addition, Northside sends teams to both District and Christian Schools sporting events, at which we have a high record of success. The extensive Camping program continues throughout the Middle and Senior Years, with varying aims depending on the year level involved. Leadership, team-work and resilience are common themes explored across multiple camps. In 2009 Northside s overseas missions and cultural trips a total of 36 staff and students, visited Uganda, the Ukraine or Torres Strait. Students and staff participated in practical and meaningful projects in each of these communities such as supplying basic food and hygiene packs for the poor, and running vacation programs for children. In the Junior School, the Co-Curricular Program offers activities such as robotics, computing, card-making, paper construction, choirs, private instrumental music tuition, Maths Olympiad team, a wide variety of competitive sporting opportunities and a biennial concert. Students from Years 3 6 undertake annual Australasian Mathematics, English, Science and Computer Studies Competitions. Each year students from the Junior School take part in the World Vision 8 Hour Famine, Jump Rope for Heart (raising money for the Heart Foundation), various Missions endeavours and the College s Camping and Outdoors Program. In the Middle and Senior Schools, the Co-Curricular Program includes debating, Tournament of the Minds, Science and Maths challenges, ISQ Days of Excellence, Australasian Science, Mathematics, English & Computing Competitions, musical productions, stage & concert bands, orchestra, various ensembles, choir competitions, public speaking competitions, a wide variety of sporting competitions such as girls and boys AFL, Rugby Union and Rugby League, Soccer, Touch Football, girls and boys Basketball, Hockey and Netball. Northside Christian College and Harvest Rain Theatre Company, Australia s largest independent theatre company, have joined together in a creative partnership which affords Northside students and staff the opportunity of working with some of Australia s leading talent. Students regularly work with industry professionals in dance, drama and singing and attend Harvest Rain s main-house productions.
Parental Involvement: Parents are warmly welcomed into the life of the College and acknowledged as partners in the education of their children. Listed below are just some of the activities parents were involved with in 2009: Banking Program Camps Carnivals and events College Café Educational Support Excursions Focus Groups Library Mothers & Fathers Day Stalls Musical Beauty and the Beast New parents Morning Tea Newsletters and mail-outs Support-a reader Uniform Shop STAFFING INFORMATION Qualifications: At Northside, our biggest asset is the quality of our staff. The notion of continuous learning is deeply ingrained into the professional culture of Northside Christian College and, as such, staff continually undertake professional development opportunities. While all academic staff are fully-trained, tertiary-qualified teachers, many are currently involved in postgraduate studies. A complete list of staff, their titles and qualifications is published annually and issued to all parents in the College Yearbook. Qualification Percentage of classroom teachers and school leaders who hold this qualification Masters 10.4% Bachelor 78.1% Diploma 10.4% Certificate 1% Expenditure on PD: In 2009 Northside s total expenditure on professional learning (excluding relief staff costs) was $58696.52*. This equates to an average professional learning expenditure of $648.58 per teacher (FTE) in 2009. *This amount includes the cost of Professional Learning, and also the related transportation and accommodation costs incurred. Teacher Participation in PD: Main categories: Australian Christian Schools Certification in Training and Assessing Dimensions of Learning Disability training, curriculum-related issues and support, testing First Aid ISQ conferences, curriculum, special needs, early years, student welfare, master classes IT IWB, Lab, pods, apps and software Leadership ISQ, ACS, IPSHA, AHISA, master classes QSA National Conferences, processes, changes, administration QTAC training QCAR NAPLAN training Panels Training and involvement Sports coaching clinics, certificates, facilitation Vocational Education
Staff Attendance and Retention: In 2009, Northside Christian College permanently employed 98 teaching staff. The retention rate for permanent teaching staff was 95%. The average staff attendance rate for permanent and temporary staff and school leaders in 2009 was 185.5 days which equates to 97.6%. The average staff absentee rate was 6 days per full time staff member. KEY STUDENT OUTCOMES Average Student Attendance Rate: The table below indicates 2009 enrolments per section of the school, absentee rate in days per student and average attendance rate for each of the school sections. School Section Enrolments Average Absentee Rate Average Attendance Rate (per student) Junior School (P-6) 555 9.9 94.7% Middle School (7-9) 356 9.0 95.2% Senior School (10-12) 363 9.3 95.0% Whole College Total 1274 9.51 94.98% Literacy and Numeracy: Whilst it is widely acknowledged that it is students, not schools, who achieve results, we are very proud of the exceptional results our students have obtained in the National Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 Numeracy and Literacy Tests. Northside has a non-selective academic enrolment policy. Our results are consistently above the State and National averages. 2009 NAPLAN Data Year 3 College Average State Average Points above State Average Numeracy 378 372 +6 Grammar and Punctuation 424 394 +30 Reading 412 386 +26 Writing 416 395 +21 Spelling 396 376 +20 Year 5 College Average State Average Points above State Average Numeracy 500 470 +30 Grammar and Punctuation 526 486 +40 Reading 509 478 +31 Writing 495 466 +29 Spelling 488 466 +22 Year 7 College Average State Average Points above State Average Numeracy 568 539 +29 Grammar and Punctuation 572 534 +38 Reading 555 533 +22 Writing 549 525 +24 Spelling 563 533 +30 Year 9 College Average State Average Numeracy 616 579 +37 Grammar and Punctuation 611 569 +42 Reading 601 570 +31 Writing 600 558 +42 Spelling 588 569 +19 Points above State Average
Apparent Retention Rate: These rates have been calculated using the nationally agreed methodology which is defined as the number of fulltime students in Year 12, expressed as a percentage of their Year 10 cohort group two years previously. Year 10 Year 12 Year 10-12 Apparent Retention Rate* Year Enrolled Year Enrolled 2005 137 2007 126 92.0% 2006 120 2008 114 95.0% 2007 112 2009 106 94.6% Year 12 student enrolment as a percentage of the Year 10 cohort is 94.6% Year 12 Outcomes: Number of students awarded a Senior Statement (total cohort) 106 Number of Certificates of Individual Achievement (QCIA) 0 Number of students awarded an Overall Position (OP) 87 Number of students who are completing or have completed a School-based 3 Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT) Number of students awarded one or more Vocational and Education and Training (VET) 43 qualifications Number of students awarded a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) at the end of 96 Year 12 Percentage of OP/IBD students who received an OP 1 to 15 or an IBD 77% Percentage of Year 12 students who are completing or completed a SAT or were awarded one of the following: QCE, IBD, VET qualification Number of students awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) at the end of Year 12 Percentage of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) applicants receiving an offer 95% 0 93% Student Destinations Year 12 2008: This data is based on the findings of the Queensland Government Next Step survey, which targeted all students who completed Year 12 and gained a Senior Statement in 2008, whether they attended a Government, Catholic or independent school, or a TAFE secondary college. The Office of the Government Statistician conducted the survey between 30 March and 6 May 2009, approximately six months after the young people left school. Responses were predominantly collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing with a paper-based survey collected from a small number of students for whom telephone details were not available. The state-wide and regional reports of the Next Step survey can be located at the Next Step website at www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep Response rate: Number of respondents: 95 Number of students that completed Year 12 in 2008: 115 Response rate: 82.6%
Definitions of main destinations: The pathways of Year 12 completers were categorised into ten main destinations. Respondents who were both studying and working were reported as studying for their main destination. A table defining these categories can be found in the state-wide report at www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep Summary of Student Destinations Year 12 2008: Destination Number of students in each category Percentage of students in each category (%) University (degree) 43 45.3 VET Cert IV+ 10 10.5 VET Cert III 1 1.1 VET Cert I-II / other 3 3.2 Apprentice 4 4.2 Trainee 3 3.2 Working Full Time 13 13.7 Working Part Time 13 13.7 Seeking Work 5 5.3 Total 95 100 In 2009, 67.4 per cent of young people who completed their Year 12 at Northside Christian College in 2008 continued in some recognised form of education and training in the year after they left school. The most common study destination was university (45.3 per cent). The combined VET study destinations accounted for 22.1 per cent of respondents, including 14.7 per cent in campus-based VET programs, with 10.5 per cent of Year 12 completers entering programs at Certificate IV level or higher. 7.4 per cent commenced employment-based training, either as an apprentice (4.2 per cent) or trainee (3.2 per cent). In addition to the above study destinations, a further 9.5 per cent of respondents from this school deferred a tertiary offer in 2009 (deferrers are shown in Figure 1 in their current destination). 32.6 per cent did not enter post-school education or training, and were either employed (27.4 per cent) or seeking work (5.3 percent).
Post-School Institutions of Year 12 Completers (numbers): Institution Number University of Queensland 16 Queensland University of Technology 15 Private Training Colleges 12 Southbank Institute of TAFE 4 University of the Sunshine Coast 2 Qantm College 2 Griffith University 2 Brisbane North Institute of TAFE 2 Australian Catholic University 2 Skills Tech Australia 1 Other Queensland TAFEs 1 Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE 1 Interstate Universities 1 Other 3 TOTAL 64* Fields of Study of Year 12 Completers (numbers): Field of Study Number Society & Culture 14 Creative Arts 10 Engineering & Related Technologies 8 Health 8 Management & Commerce 8 Natural & Physical Sciences 5 Information technology 3 Double Field of Study 3 Education 2 Food, Hospitality & Personal Services 2 Agriculture, Environmental & Related 1 Architecture & Building 1 TOTAL 64* * Information in this table is generated from Year 12 completers who provided study destination and field of study information. Value Added: Junior School Early Years caters specifically for our younger learners from Prep through to Year Three. An Early Years coordinator oversees programs and activities, which include age-appropriate areas of study that provide students with opportunities to develop physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social skills. Prep and Year One students actively engage in a Perceptual Motor Program and Phonological Awareness Program that provide a foundation and readiness for more formal learning in later years. In Prep, teachers are assisted by full time teacher aides and enjoy parent participation and support. Learning through child-focussed activities that engage them in relevant and exciting investigations, our Prep students have added a new dimension to our Junior School. Our Under Eights Day is always extremely popular with the students and extended families. Student Leadership plays an important role in developing leadership competence and confidence, especially in Year Six. In 2008, our leadership program was extended to include specific leadership training for all Year Sixes, an ongoing training course for those holding positions of responsibility and opportunities through our continuing PALS program and the
introduction of a CHUMS program, fostering relationships between older and younger students. Our class instrumental program provides an opportunity for students from Years 4 to 6, not only to learn music skills, but also to try out different instruments and participate in performance groups in a small group setting. The mission of Northside s Student Welfare Program is to promote well-being and to develop social competencies. We achieve this aim, through a multi-facet approach. First, students are intentionally taught various social and emotional skills through the Life Skills curriculum. The redeveloped Secondary Life Skills curriculum targets four areas of competency across six grades: Resilience and Emotional Literacy, Effective Interpersonal Skills, Self-leadership and Values, and General Well-being. In addition to classroom learning, students develop these important skills through various activities such as leadership camps, extra-curricular activities and peer support. The second facet involves the Student Support Centre, which provides counselling services to our school community. The Centre is staffed by a qualified school counsellor and a student support worker. Students and their families can access support, one-on-one counselling or group work. Also on offer are educational workshops for small groups on topics such as: self-esteem, interpersonal excellence, grief support, positive relational strategies (aimed at bullies and their victims), and managing time, anger and stress. In 2009 the Middle and Senior School Life Skills and Welfare Program included the following initiatives: Esther-Gen: a girls' group aimed at promoting community and empowerment amongst the girls through mentoring with older girls; Boys' Breakfasts: The men in the college community gathered around a hearty breakfast to discuss what it means to be a man; ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Week: A Middle School initiative aimed at encouraging kindness in and beyond our community. Funds raised supported The Royal Children's Hospital; MS Connex: A Middle School initiative aimed at promoting resilience, connectedness and problem solving; Peer Support: Senior students connecting with and mentoring Middle School students to develop resilience and community spirit; Choices, Decisions, Outcomes: Values-based sex education; Mentoring Camps: connecting boys in need with Christian role models. The welfare of Junior School students is primarily overseen by the class teacher who is in extended, daily contact with the students. In addition, there are a number of programs and processes in place to support teachers in this role and to give extra help to students when necessary. In Junior School, the CARE program is used as an underpinning focus to teach vital life skills. This program aims to help the students to develop the positive life skills of courtesy, attitude, resilience and excellence. Each of these four areas is represented by a character, a slogan, a scripture, a puppet and a song. The puppets and songs are used extensively with the younger children as tools for engagement. A comprehensive curriculum ensures that there is sequential teaching throughout the Junior School years. The Junior School Coordinator/Student Welfare Officer and Early Years Coordinator conducts regular year level sessions with a specific CARE focus to enhance the learning. Assembly talks, class devotions and specific lessons are used to equip the students with these important life skills.
CARE stands for Courtesy, Attitude, Resilience and Excellence; attributes that are needed for the healthy development of the whole child. Each term, the Welfare Officer distributes a parent newsletter that emphasises the CARE focus for the term and also includes parenting tips and information. This is to encourage the partnership between home and school. A male teacher spends time with boys as needed. He runs lunch time sporting activities, as well as providing ongoing support and guidance for all boys in Junior School. His input is particularly valuable when boys do not have an active male presence in their lives. Year Five and Six students partner with students in Prep, Year One and Year Two with lunchtime activities and other supports. This is valuable for both older and younger students as the older students develop their leadership skills while the younger ones feel supported. The Junior School Coordinators are available to assist teachers and students when necessary. Across Junior School, there is a strong focus on community and relationship that brings security and a sense of well-being. Grandparents Day is an annual event, and was eagerly attended by over 530 grandparents in 2009. Grandparents were able to visit several displays, spend time in class with their grandchildren and attend a matinee performance of the College musical, Beauty and the Beast. Computers and Technology: Northside has invested significant funds into infrastructure, hardware, software and training in 2009. All general purpose classroom spaces and learning areas have either an interactive whiteboard or ceiling mounted data projection equipment, as well as internet and intranet capabilities. The College has a total of 7 computer laboratories, a campus-wide wireless network, ClickView, 100 Netbooks for lab and classroom use, robotics equipment, plasma screens, film and TV capturing, editing and software equipment, and modern auditorium and lecture theatre presentation facilities. Northside currently has a total of 640 student computers in service on campus. Satisfaction: Word of mouth continues to be our number one source of recommendations and new enquiries. New enrolment surveys indicate the high value families place on the safety and happiness of their child s learning environment, along with a desire for a Christian framework to support their family values. Northside has maintained steady enrolments in 2009, and there is ongoing demand for places in a variety of year levels. Mid-year intakes that are reliant on vacancies becoming available are indicative of family preferences for schooling all siblings at Northside. Most enrolment vacancies become available due to factors such as relocations. Staff retention rates are also very good. Parents have been involved in a variety of informal focus groups in recent years dealing with a range of topics; however a formal survey has not been conducted during the 2009 period.
College Governance: Northside Christian College wishes to thank and acknowledge the diligent work at governance level by the Board of Directors who have oversight of the College. The College reports on financial matters to the Commonwealth Department of Education and is responsible to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (A.S.I.C) as a not-for-profit corporation. This report is provided in order to fulfil our statutory reporting requirements under State and Commonwealth legislation, and to provide existing and prospective parents with a succinct and readerfriendly summary of some of the College s main activities for the 2009 period. Closing Thanks: The College would like to thank the staff, student and parent body for their ongoing support and efforts that contribute to making Northside such a special and unique community, and acknowledge our Heavenly Father. Further Contact or Information: The 2009 Northside Christian College (Qld) Ltd Annual Report is available via the College website. Hard copies are available on request, and can be obtained in person from College Reception. The College website provides a wide range of information about the life of the College. Web: www.northside.qld.edu.au Contact Person: Graham Brown Assistant to the Principal +61 7 3353 1266 General Enquiries should be directed to: ncc@northside.qld.edu.au Enrolment Enquiries should be directed to: enrolments@northside.org.au Phone: +61 7 3353 1266 Fax: +61 7 3353 4628 Email: ncc@northside.org.au