2010 Annual School Report
Hill Top Public School
NSW Public Schools – Leading the way
Our school at a glance
Hill Top PS (HTPS), founded in 1884, is located in the semi-rural village of Hill Top in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Situated in an attractive bush land setting, the existing modern school buildings offer outstanding facilities for computer and technology education with open classrooms. There is a well equipped library, hall, computer lab, special purpose cooking centre and canteen with spacious grounds providing a combination of shaded and open playing areas for students. HTPS has been a grateful recipient in the Building the Educational Revolution (BER) receiving a computer lab, special purposes room (SPR) and a covered outdoor learning area (COLA).
The school supports around 220 students from the local community and surrounding areas. It works in close partnership with the community and local organisations. HTPS boasts a proud heritage of educating many generations of some families.
The school offers excellent programs for gifted and talented and special needs students, performing arts and sport with a strong emphasis on student welfare. There is a well attended after school activities program.
The school's motto "Honour and Trust" is a key component in the everyday life of the school.
Students
In 2010 HTPS had an enrolment of 210 students being 115 boys and 95 girls. The enrolment situation should remain with a slight increase in growth anticipated in the next few years.94.4% of students attended school on average each day. This is above the Illawarra South East Region (ISER) and on par with the state average. In 2010 nine classes were formed.
Staff
Teachers at HTPS are experienced and are dedicated to providing differentiated learning programs catering for a wide range of talents and abilities. Parents are encouraged to be involved with their children's progress at every level. This includes involvement in classroom, sporting and social activities, as well as in policy and decision making through the P&C. Parents support healthy food choices for children by running a successful canteen. The school is dedicated to providing quality teaching and learning programs to all students. All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Student achievement in 2010
NB: All results are compared with HTPS in 2009
NAPLAN results in reading: Yr 3 – 67% of students were in the top 3 bands as compared with 49%. Yr 5 – 40% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 52%. We followed both State and regional trends in this area.
Writing: Yr 3 – 77% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 53%. Yr 5 – 47% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 52%.
Grammar & Punctuation: Yr 3 – 62% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 59%. Yr 5 - 47% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 67%.
Spelling: Yr 3 - 62% of students were in top 3 bands as compared with 62% but worth noting that the majority of students in band 4 for spelling moved mainly into bands 5 and 6 and also overall performed extremely well compared with regional results. Yr 5 – 67% in top 3 bands compared with 48%.
The majority of students in Yr 3 scored in the top three bands in overall numeracy. Continued focus is needed in 2D and 3D space, division and time.
Numeracy: Yr 5 students performed below the state average in Numeracy. 24% of students scored in the two top bands, compared with the 32% in the state. Students in Yr 5 performed significantly better in number, patterns and algebra than in data, measurement, space and geometry.
Messages
Principal’s message
I certify that the information in this report is the result of a rigorous school self-evaluation process and is a balanced and genuine account of the school’s achievements and areas for development.
Brian Reakes JP
P & C message
Meetings were in weeks three and eight of term.
Input into the general running of school: Introduced paint smocks into school uniform order form; Letter written to Education Minister regarding changes to “Funding and allocation of Aides in Public Schools”; Changes to Uniform – Decisions on girls’ shorts and pricing changes; Solar scheme input; Vegetable garden input; Bullying and teasing suggestions; Class sizes and allocation; President involved in application process for new AP’s position; Joint decision with staff on what BER items school would apply for - new classroom and COLA over basketball court; Purchase of pens with names engraved as gifts for outgoing Yr 6 students; and Math and English text book inclusion in classes this year.
Fundraising Events for the year:
Individually named ‘pavers’ for the memory path; Three discos; One Bunning’s BBQ; Hosting interschool Touch Gala Day canteen; Introduced fruit and vegetable boxes; and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls.
Goods purchased with fundraised dollars:
School Ambulance Cover Insurance; $600 for library books; Public liability insurance cover; $2,000 for Peer Support Scheme funds donated; $3,000 for air conditioning in new classroom; Purchased new hot water urns; Television/DVD unit for front office foyer; Kindergarten orientation morning teas; $500 donation to a family in need at school; and Easter Eggs purchased for students.
Mrs Vanessa Beasley (P&C President)
Student representative’s message
At the beginning of term 1 the students in each class chose two class representatives for the Student Representative Council (SRC). We have, as a whole K-6 group, conducted the SRC assemblies at our fortnightly assemblies. We have also met regularly to make decisions for the school and organised fund raising events such as mufti days. We raised money to help support Alpha. Our current SRC leaders were elected by student votes resulting in President: Melissa Greenfield, Vice President: Georgia Henry and councilors Bianca Clark and Daniel Leahy.
School context
Student information
Student enrolment profile
Student attendance profile
Management of non-attendance
Student non-attendance is managed with a proactive Learning Support Team interaction. Attendance rolls are regularly checked and unauthorised non-attendance detected. Contact is made via phone, email or mail with parents/caregivers. If reasons given are unacceptable the principal commences the Home School Liaison Officer’s protocols.
Structure of classes
Roll Class / Year / Total per Yr / Class TotalK BS / K / 18
K K / K / 17 / 35
1/2 P / 1 / 19
1/2 P / 2 / 6 / 25
1/2 W / 1 / 18
1/2 W / 2 / 6 / 24
2 D / 2 / 23 / 23
3/4 W / 3 / 16
3/4 G / 4 / 10 / 26
3/4/5/6W / 3 / 6
3/4/5/6W / 4 / 6
3/4/5/6W / 5 / 7
3/4/5/6W / 6 / 14 / 33
4/5 G / 4 / 15
4/5 G / 5 / 9 / 24
5/6 TF / 5 / 14
5/6 TF / 6 / 12 / 26
Class sizes
In March, 2003 the Government announced its commitment to publish primary class sizes in annual school reports in order to provide parents with as much local information as possible.
The following table shows our class sizes as reported at the 2010 class size audit conducted on Wednesday 17 March 2010.
Staff information
Staff establishment
Position / NumberPrincipal / 1
Assistant Principal(s) / 3
Classroom Teachers / 6
Teacher of Reading Recovery / 0.5
School Learning Support Teacher / 0.8
Teacher Librarian / 0.6
Counselor / 0.3
School Administrative & Support Staff (SASS) / 1.9
Total / 14.1
No members of the current HTPS staff have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent.
Staff retention
1n 2010 HTPS had one AP, Mrs Tomlin, leave through promotion. One teacher resigned.
Teacher qualifications
All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Qualifications / % of staffDegree or Diploma / 100
Financial summary
This summary covers funds for operating costs and does not involve expenditure areas such as permanent salaries, building and major maintenance.
Date of financial summary:Income
Balance brought forward
Global funds
Tied funds
School & community sources
Interest
Trust receipts
Canteen
Total income
Expenditure
Teaching & learning
Key learning areas
Excursions
Extra curricular dissections
Library
Training & development
Tied funds
Casual relief teachers
Administration & office
School-operated canteen
Utilities
Maintenance
Trust accounts
Capital programs
Total expenditure
Balance carried forward / 30/11/2010
$
136,978.15
113,511.27
101,332.34
81,882.17
8,105.32
2,229.50
-______
444,038.75
24,299.73
13,324.00
60,254.50
7,010.67
-
113,369.99
25,782.19
31,123.59
-
17,012.00
9,374.02
2,190.86
-
303,741.55
140,297.20
A full copy of the 2010 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meeting of the P&C. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.
School performance 2010
Achievements
Arts:
Visiting Artists: Brainstorm is an award winning in-school performance. The production that visited our school this year was “The Magic Words” show. Students enjoyed and were engaged in a presentation and performance that highlighted some of the complex issues involved in how we develop our values and how our behaviour affects others. This work was continued in classrooms and was an ongoing teaching issue.
Musica Viva: During the year HTPS experienced Sirocco and Chambermaids from Musica Viva. Sirocco expressed the concept of “Australia in Asia” by producing dynamic eastern sounds with a distractive Australian flavour. The concert provided students with the opportunity to celebrate our diverse cultural heritage as well as sample a wide range of sounds and instruments.
The Chambermaids (an all-female wind quintet) was one of Australia’s premier chamber music groups. Their repertoire ranged from the classics through to contemporary music. They played on instruments (both familiar and foreign) ranging from flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn to a noisy hosepipe horn. Both groups provided students with educational experiences relating to their studies.
Dance Program: In term 4 students enthusiastically participated in the Sport for Life Dance Program learning a variety of dance styles including bush, hip hop funk, Irish, rock and roll and ballroom. Students loved learning the new dances and immersed themselves in the theme of the dance by adding accessories like cowboy hats to their school uniforms. K-6 performed their favourite dances at the end of the term.
Sport:
Swimming Carnival: Our annual swimming carnival was held at Mittagong Pool. Congratulations to the eager group of competitors and supporters who braved the cold. There were many fine efforts and it was great to see the young ones have a go. Congratulations to the seventeen students who represented our school at district. Unfortunately no one qualified to progress to area. Our thanks to Mrs Donna Johnson who has assisted for over a decade with swimming carnivals at HTPS and is retiring. Thanks also to Jo Tregannon, recorder and manager of our district team.
District Cross Country Carnival: HTPS students represented at Robertson in this event. Special mention to: Amy Winnel (9th 8/9 yr division), Barton Greenfield (6th 10 yr), Cameron Malcolm (8th 11 yr), Daniel Leahy (1st 12 yr) and Anthony Risteski (4th 12 yr).
Sport for Life: In term 1, students participated in Sport for Life’s athletics program. Students enjoyed experiencing many athletics events in preparation for our carnival in term 2. Skilled instructors modified the equipment and activities depending on the grade. Students also participated in the Sport for Life dance program in term 4. They were able to experience the many genres of dance which were incorporated in a dance performance in December.
Hindmarsh Cup and Noble Challenge: Twenty students represented HTPS. Thank you to Bob Hall for his expertise and willingness to train our teams. The Hindmarsh Cup and Noble Challenge were held at Robertson in May. HTPS teams, with the help of players from Colo Vale PS (CVPS), made a gutsy effort against more experienced teams from local schools. Everyone put in their best effort. Congratulations to all of the players who are to be commended for their great behaviour and sportsmanship.
AFL: The Paul Kelly Cup team consisted of David Armstrong, Cameron Malcolm, Nicholas Bird, David Hastings, Ryley Wiltshire, Sebastian Burgess, Nathan Thomson, Anthony Risteski, Joshua Harrison, Daniel Leahy, Matthew Byrne, Lochlan Fraser, Bianca Clarke, Sinead Campion, Rebecca Frank, Melissa Greenfield, Zara Hamilton, Alexandra Pearce, Lillian Simpson, Caitlin Stevens, Kahlua Varga and Paige Worden made up our AFL side in this year’s Paul Kelly Cup. The competition took place in Bowral in March. Well done to all who participated. The boys ran into some tough competition in their three matches with two of their pool going on to region. The girls lost their opening two rounds but were triumphant in their final match. Lillian Simpson and Cameron Malcolm won a free membership to the local AFL competition. We are indebted to David and Ryan Bottin-Noonan who assisted with training.
Athletics Carnival: HTPS had a combined day where all attending students completed track and field events at the one centre.
5/6/7 year olds had invaluable experience attempting the field events which will hold them in good stead for carnivals in the years ahead. Ribbons and house winner trophies were presented at a whole school assembly. Successful athletes went to Eridge Park. Three students were invited to attend regional: Simone Fedele (shot put); Liam George (discus) and Anthony Risteski (200m).
Touch Football: This major Highlands sporting event for the Wingecarribee P.S.S.A was organised by HTPS in conjunction with the Touch Association of NSW. We had four teams: girls, two boys and a mixed team. There was an emphasis on skills and fitness. HTPS had the canteen rights to this event on the last day of term three. Our thanks to Bruce Nicholson (bbq), Karen Johnson, Vanessa Beasley, Kim Mercieca, Therese Bird, Melissa Willebrand and Darlene Bishop who handled the canteen. This was a major P & C fundraiser and raised around $1700. Thanks also to the parents who acted as team mangers.