VINCENTIA HIGH SCHOOL
School Plan 2012
1. School ContextVincentia High School is a large comprehensive, co-educational community school. Established in 1993, it serves the Bay and Basin area of the South Coast of NSW. The school caters for students with a wide range of interests and abilities. Enrolment numbers continue to grow due to increasing population in the local area but also because most students from our partner primary schools see the value in our academic and extra-curricular programs. Current enrolment is 1180 students including 79 students in nine support classes (5 support and 4 ED) with another 15 students with diagnosed disabilities enrolled in mainstream classes. There are also 129 Aboriginal students enrolled.
The school staff numbers 116. Many of the staff have served at the school for several years and are generally highly experienced in their roles. Within a relatively short timeframe many of the staff will either retire or seek promotion in other locales. The school is proactively preparing for the resultant changes and recognises that these changes require responses relating to Professional Learning, team building and support of new staff.
From 2010 – 2012 the school is part of National Partnership on Low SES School Communities. This will better enable the whole school community to have an increased and better-resourced focus on improving the educational outcomes of students, particularly in Literacy and Numeracy. Additional staffing and funding will enable the school to target in positive ways, the quality of teaching and learning that daily occurs in the classrooms and beyond. Greater emphasis will be placed upon community partnerships and more effective school leadership and organisation. Direct and explicit initiatives will be undertaken to improve the educational outcomes of our Aboriginal students.
2. School Purpose
Vincentia High School’s mission is “Learning for Life”. We aim to provide a caring, friendly, stimulating and engaging learning environment. We prepare our students to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world by developing their full potential socially, creatively and academically.
In consideration of what we as a school value, at Vincentia High School we:
· are committed to quality teaching and learning in a progressive, structured and supportive environment,
· care about the academic, cultural, physical and social development of each student;
· aim to create a learning environment which will develop each student’s growth in all of these areas; and,
· encourage children to become self-motivated learners who work effectively, independently and co-operatively.
Our Vision for the school will be achieved by:
· effective teaching practices in classrooms based on the Quality Teaching Framework;
· systematic and explicit teaching of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills;
· quality teacher professional learning;
· leadership and management which supports learning and teaching;
· effective and efficient school administration including close monitoring of student attendance; and,
· strong discipline and welfare structures which promote self-discipline, including the wearing of our school uniform with pride.
The school’s motto is:
R - / Be RESPONSIBLE and build RELATIONSHIPS
E - / Care for the ENVIRONMENT
S - / Put SAFETY first
P - / Be PREPARED for learning
E - / ENGAGE in learning activities
C - / CO-OPERATE and CONTRIBUTE
T - / TURN UP ON TIME and TUNE IN
These practical values are the measures by which students are encouraged to determine their behaviours, attitudes and contributions to their schooling. The school has focussed on these values with both students and parents, at school information forums and in everyday interactions at school. These values are evident in all academic and cultural programs, in student leadership programs and on the sporting field. The school is developing citizens who respect cultural differences and diversity. A sense of fair play and the value of hard work are constantly emphasised at Vincentia High School.
In 2012 Vincentia High will implement the Positive Behaviours for Success (PBS) program. The program aims at creating a positive school culture. With successful school-wide implementation the program will help make our school safer and a more effective place for learning and a place where success in all areas is celebrated and encouraged.
The three core values of the program are:
Ø Respect
Ø Responsibility
Ø Personal Best.
3. School Strategic Directions
Over Semesters 1 and 2, 2009, 10 faculty/KLA evaluations (‘Snapshots’) took place at VHS to consider how well students are engaged in their learning and what contributes to their success in learning and personal development. Views of students, parents and staff as well as classroom observations and available data were the basis of each snapshot. The snapshots identified several matters of high importance to the stakeholders of Vincentia High School – the students; the students’ parents and caregivers; and the staff.
As a result of the snapshots, VHS has and continues to promote student engagement by making learning more meaningful, relevant and important to students through the development of a quality learning environment that encompasses Quality Teaching principles. We have developed a successful learning environment by focussing on developing the numeracy and literacy skills of students and by creating a learning environment that is engaging and relevant, fostering increased school attendance. This occurs through the promotion of:
· Successful learning
· Successful teaching
· Productive relationships.
4. Budget to Fund the 2012 School Plan
Global Funds: TPL $65,150 PSP $142,200 SIPS $105,000 NPLSES $333,284 [These figures will be finalised in coming weeks.] / $ 645,634
The plan has been endorsed and approved by:
Principal: / Steve Glenday / Date: / _ /_/2011 / School Education Director: / Date:
5. Funding Programs to Boost School Performance and Outcomes 2012
In 2010 Vincentia High School was nominated as one of ten schools in NSW to be included in the Low SES School Communities National Partnership Reform Extension Initiative (NPLSES). This is a two year program implemented by the NSW DET to assist schools not already involved in a National Partnership to boost their Literacy and Numeracy results.
The school conducted a Situational Analysis in June 2010 to inform the development of our School Plan. In 2011 the school completed the 2011 National Partnership Evaluation Report. These documents should be read in conjunction with this School Plan.
Our school plan reflects the five priority areas nominated by the Illawarra and South East Region of the DEC. It also identifies funding sources available to the school under the Extension Reform Initiative, (NPLSES), Schools in Partnership (SIP), Priority Schools Program (PSP), which will be used with Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) and Global Funds, to support our priority outcomes and target improvements in our literacy and numeracy results.
Within this framework and our school context, our School Plan includes specific reference to the relevant priority reform areas of the National Partnership on Low SES School Communities Reform Extension Initiative. It is noted that while there are six reform areas for full National Partnership schools, the Extension Reform Initiative schools, who receive half the level of funding for half the time period, are required to address only two of the six National Partnership priority reform areas, those being:
Reform 1: Incentives to attract high performing principals and teachers
Reform 4: Providing innovative and tailored learning opportunities.
For Extension Reform Initiative schools, these two reform areas will focus particularly on:
ü Actions to improve teacher quality and leadership team effectiveness in improving Literacy and Numeracy outcomes.
ü Innovative and tailored programs and interventions to improve student literacy and numeracy outcomes.
School Priority Areas 2012 / Overall Intended Outcomes (What we are working towards achieving during 2012.)
Literacy and Numeracy / i) Improved student writing and numeracy skills contribute to improved student learning and assessment results.
ii) Increased staff and student understanding of the required writing and numeracy skills in all KLAs.
iii) Improved staff understanding of and skills in the implementation of specific writing and numeracy teaching/learning strategies in their KLA.
Aboriginal Education / i) The school continues to strengthen an effective working partnership with the local Aboriginal community.
ii) School staff embrace and implement the major recommendations of the Aboriginal Education Review/Aboriginal Education/SIPS evaluation of 2010.
iii) Improved educational outcomes, completion rates, attendance rates, engagement and future options for Aboriginal students.
Curriculum and Assessment / i) The school will successfully engage with drafts of the new National Curriculum.
ii) The school will develop assessment procedures that meet the requirements of the HSC and National Curriculum.
iii) The school will further develop and implement a relevant senior schooling program.
Engagement and Attainment / i) School attendance rates will match or exceed Regional and SSG rates.
ii) School teaching practices and curriculum structures contribute notably to improved student engagement.
iii) School attainment rates in internal and external assessments notably improve.
Leadership and Management / i) Professional learning at school-wide, faculty and individual level becomes a cornerstone of school development.
ii) Professional learning and upskilling of staff positively impacts on student learning and attainment.
iii) School leadership capacity developed to ensure evidence based and strategic planning underpins school decision making and teachers developing a broad range of professional skills.
2012 TARGETS
Literacy & Numeracy / Aboriginal Education / Curriculum & Assessment / Student Engagement & Attainment / Leadership & Management /
Targets
1. 80% of Year 7 students achieve at and above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 77%).
2. 70% of Year 9 students achieve at and above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 62%).
3. 15% of Year 7 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 8 and 9) in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 9%).
4. 12% of Year 9 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 9 and 10) in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 6%).
5. 80% of the newly-formed Year 9 ‘Willing & Able’ class score equal to or better than State across the 10 Writing criterion in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test.
6. 92% of Year 7 students achieve at and above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 88%).
7. 94% of Year 9 students achieve above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 90%).
8. 15% of Year 7 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 8 and 9) in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 12%).
9. 15% of Year 9 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 9 and 10) in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 12%).
10. 85% of the newly-formed Year 9 ‘Willing & Able’ class score greater than or equal to expected growth in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test. / Targets
1. Our Aboriginal students’ performance and growth as tested by the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test show results equal to or better than Aboriginal students in SSG schools.
2. Our Aboriginal students’ attendance rates in 2012 are equal to or better than Aboriginal attendance rates across the Region;
3. Our Aboriginal students’ in-class attendance for 2012 demonstrates an increase of 10% compared to 2011.
4. Our Aboriginal students’ poor behaviour referrals for 2012 demonstrates a decrease of 10% compared to 2011. / Targets
1. The Year10 program for 2012 meets both the identified needs of the school and the requirements of the NSW Board of Studies.
2. Assessment procedures developed in 2012 for use across the school are used by all KLAs and meet the requirements of the HSC and National Curriculum.
3. An alternative curriculum developed for use in 2012 and beyond successfully caters for Years 9, 10 and 11 students. / Targets
1. There is an increase of at least 10% of awards presented to students in 2012 (compared to 2011) relating to academic learning and positive attitude and behaviour by students.
2. There is an increase in student attendance rates for 2012 to match or exceed Regional and SSG rates;
3. There is a 5% or better increase in HSC students achieving Bands 4, 5 and 6 across all courses.
4. A minimum of 5% of parents attend workshops designed to improve student performance. / Targets
1. Every faculty has implemented a faculty plan that aligns with and supports the 2012 VHS School Plan priorities and targets.
2. Every teacher at VHS has developed and is implementing their individual professional learning plan that supports their faculty and 2012 VHS School Plan.
3. All teaching staff have engaged in professional learning targeted to increasing students’ skills in research, critical thinking and deep knowledge and understanding.
Priority Area: / Literacy and Numeracy
Targets: 2012
(What do we want for our students?) / 1. 80% of Year 7 students achieve above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 75%).
2. 70% of Year 9 students achieve above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 62%).
3. 15% of Year 7 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 8 and 9) in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 9%).
4. 12% of Year 9 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 9 and 10) in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test (currently 6%).
5. 80% of the newly-formed Year 9 ‘Willing & Able’ class score equal to or better than State across the 10 Writing criterion in the 2012 NAPLAN Writing test.
6. 92% of Year 7 students achieve above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 88%).
7. 94% of Year 9 students achieve above NMS in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 90%).
8. 15% of Year 7 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 8 and 9) in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 12%).
9. 15% of Year 9 students achieve at Proficient level (Bands 9 and 10) in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test (currently 12%).
10. 85% of the newly-formed Year 9 ‘Willing & Able’ class score greater than or equal to expected growth in the 2012 NAPLAN Numeracy test.
A school-wide writing and numeracy strategy will be established that gives support and training to staff while ensuring all students are benefitting by increased and regular engagement with explicit writing and numeracy skills development.
In recent years some improvements in aspects of writing and numeracy learning have been achieved but performance and growth both remain less than most of our annual targets set out to achieve. In 2012 with the assistance of NP funding a concerted effort will be made to establish a sustainable strategy to embed a school-wide writing and numeracy program.