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2010 Annual School Report
Casula High School
NSW Public Schools – Leading the way
Our school at a glance
Messages
Principal’s message
At Casula High School we are justifiably proud of our co-educational, comprehensive high school which caters for the needs of students of diverse ability and backgrounds. This report outlines the school’s activities and achievements throughout 2010 and has been collaboratively developed by the leaders of the school community.
The staff and parent groups at Casula High School have a deep commitment to their school and the well-being and learning of all students. Student motivation and achievement is enhanced through excellent quality teaching and learning programs, welfare structures and support programs that enhance the intellectual, creative, leadership, social and physical skills of students. The Student Representative Council (SRC) is a vibrant and committed student body and holds a high profile and active role within the school. The staff and students are guided by three overriding school values of Courage, Courtesy and Concern. All students are supported in the achievement of their full potential.
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.
Sara Smith
P & C and/or School Council message
The partnership between school and parents is a thriving relationship. The Parents and Citizens Association supports the selection of staff, the academic achievement of our students, the welfare of our students, fundraising and gives general feedback.
The parent teacher evenings and information evenings give parents and teachers time to discuss progress of students. We encourage all parents to attend. They also learn about the latest developments in education.
Parents are welcomed to graduation of Year 10 and Year 12 and presentation evening. They also attend carnival days, sporting matches and special celebration days.
P&C are the main sponsors of presentation evening.
Lisa Siddons, President
Student representative’s message
The Student Representative Council comprises of 34 students representing their Year groups from Years 7 – 12 including two indigenous representatives, Prefects, Vice Captains and School Captains. Throughout 2010 the students have been involved in many leadership activities such as Leadership Training days, Youth Leadership Conferences, World Vision Global Convention and the Halogen Foundation’s National Young Leader’s Day.
Throughout the year, members of the SRC also took part in the Inter School Group (ISG) meetings and Regional SRC Conferences.
Other than Leadership opportunities, the SRC were proud to fundraise for various charities throughout the year. The charities chosen for this past year include Youth off the Streets (where gold coins were collected to “fill the hall with gold”), Camp Quality (who came out and performed a play educating youth regarding children with cancer), Stewart House, Legacy Day, World Vision and Jeans for Genes day.
The many leadership opportunities and community work have made this year’s SRC a very successful team. We look forward to building on our great successes in 2011.
Sam Vorachit and Nicole Harris
School context
Student information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all students must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies.
Student enrolment profile
Student attendance profile
Management of non-attendance
Casula High School has a very comprehensive program to manage non-attendance issues. Ongoing guidance and support to address these issues are provided through a combination of the following:
· Year Adviser mentoring sessions
· Regular attendance alert letters
· Parent interviews
· Use of and access to the HSLO
· Principal and Deputy Principal parent/student intervention meetings
· School Counsellor sessions
· Boys and Girls Advisers
Retention to Year 12
Post-school destinations
Of the 2010 cohort:
· An academic achievement award scholarship was attained and the school dux was ranked in the top 15% of the State
· 30 per cent of students gained entry into university. 35% enrolled in TAFE/Private Colleges
· 5 per cent have taken up apprenticeships
· 15 per cent are in full time employment. 16 per cent are seeking employment
· 81 students in Years 10 and 11 left for either training, employment, overseas travel or other school.
Year 12 students undertaking vocational or trade training
The 2010 cohort consisted of 67 students. Fifty per cent successfully completed a vocational or trade training course.
Year 12 students attaining HSC or equivalent vocational educational qualification
98% of the Year 12 cohort was successful in attaining the HSC or equivalent educational qualification.
Staff information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all staff must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies
Staff establishment
Position / NumberPrincipal / 1
Deputy Principal(s) / 1
Assistant Principal(s)
Head Teachers / 8
Classroom Teachers / 40
Teacher of Emotional Disabilities
Teacher of Mild Intellectual Disabilities
Teacher of Reading Recovery
Support Teacher Learning Assistance / 1
Teacher Librarian / 1
Teacher of ESL / 1
Counsellor / 2
School Administrative & Support Staff / 9
Total / 64
Teacher qualifications
All teaching staff meets the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Enter text here
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.
The school has a leased canteen held by Atrium Catering Services. Funds raised through this lease are included in the School and Community Sources.
A full copy of the school’s 2010 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meeting of the parent body. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.
Achievements
Arts
Two students were selected to participate in the Musical Talent Identification Program.
Two students received high achievements in graphics technology.
One HSC graphics student had his major technology project selected for the NSW State Industrial Technology Display.
Two students received High Commendations in the National Whitlam Writing Competition.
Yr 9 and Yr 11 Drama students presented a very successful theatrical showcase at Casula Powerhouse.
One student won an award at the annual Casula Powerhouse Art competition.
Sport
Casula High School’s boy’s cricket team, girl’s netball team and girl’s basketball team performed well in the Sydney South West knockout competitions.
Two teams entered the West Leagues cup in the u/13’s and u/15’s division. U/13’s were premiers in their division and U/15’s were runners up.
Six students represented the Hume Zone at the Sydney South West Cross Country.
Twenty one students represented the school at the Hume Zone Swimming Carnival with two students progressing to the Sydney South West championships. One student received a bronze medal at the NSW CHS swimming carnival for the 100 metres breaststroke.
Fifty students represented the school at the Hume Zone Athletics carnival with 8 students progressing to the Sydney South West Championships. One student received a gold medal at the NSW All Schools athletics championships in the javelin event.
Four students represented Sydney South West at the NSW Combined High Schools championships in Rugby League, Athletics, Swimming and Cricket.
Other
One student received the highly prestigious Victor Chang award.
Students at Casula High School won the regional science and engineering challenge.
Students received 10 distinctions and credits through the Australian Mathematics competition.
Year 10 students successfully completed the Lawyers in School program.
Students received 38 distinctions and credits through the NSW geography competition.
One student was nominated for a Regional VET Award for excellence in hospitality.
Academic
In the National Assessment Program, the results across the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 literacy and numeracy assessments are reported on a scale from Band 1 to Band 10.
The achievement scale represents increasing levels of skills and understandings demonstrated in these assessments.
Yr 7: from Band 4 (lowest) to Band 9 (highest for Year 7)
Yr 9: from Band 5 (lowest) to Band 10 (highest for Year 9)
and/or
In the School Certificate the performance of students is reported in performance bands ranging from Performance Band 1 (lowest) to Performance Band 6 (highest).
Literacy – NAPLAN Year 7
The 2010 data shows that the Year 7 cohort performed slightly below the school average over the last 3 years. Casula High School is currently implementing programs designed to improve this gap and also close the gap between the school and state averages. The Year 7 ESL phase 2 students successfully achieved 20 scale scores above the state average growth in the test aspect of grammar and punctuation.
95 per cent of Year 7 students achieved results above or at the National minimum standards in reading.
Reading remains a focus area for development across the school. The school growth in the test aspects of reading, writing and grammar and punctuation was greater than the state average.
Numeracy – NAPLAN Year 7
The 2010 data indicates a movement out of band 5 towards bands 6 and 7. In 2010 school growth in Year 7 was higher than state average growth. The higher bands have remained steady. Year 7 Aboriginal students achieved scores above state and regional mean in Reading and Spelling. Significant educational programs have been put in place focusing on moving more students into the upper bands.
Literacy – NAPLAN Year 9
Casula High is in the process of continuing to implement cross faculty literacy programs designed to place more students in the upper bands.
Numeracy – NAPLAN Year 9
The 2010 cohort demonstrated significant value added data, which compared very favourably to the State average. Casula High School achieved above the Liverpool mean in all aspects of numeracy.
Whole school numeracy program ensures that all faculty programs have a numeracy focus across all KLAs. Counting On strategies are being implemented by classroom teachers to support students in developing numeracy skills.
Educational programs are continuing to focus on further extending the gifted and talented students.
School Certificate
In the School Certificate the performance of students is reported in performance bands ranging from Performance Band 1 (lowest) to Performance Band 6 (highest).
In all School Certificate results, a number of student performances indicated that the school had added value to their performance compared to the previous basic skill results.
The 2010 cohort showed a clear improvement in English literacy, Mathematics and Science compared to the 2006-2010 school average.
History and Geography showed pleasing gains in Band 6 and Computing indicated the vast majority of students being either competent or highly competent.
School based assessments indicated a greater percentage of students in Grades A and B compared to the previous year’s cohort.
English
No students placed in Band 1, the lowest achievement band and no students are achieving below National Minimum Standards. In this respect our students performed better than other schools in the Liverpool Group and compared to similar schools across the state.
Mathematics
Compared to their 2008 BST results, student growth is stronger for those placed in the lower bands as well as for our higher achieving students placing in the top two bands. This trend of adding value to student achievement has been increasing over the last 3 years.
Science
There is a growing trend of reducing the gap between the school and state average. There is an increasing trend of students placing in Bands 5 and 6, the top bands and a decreasing number of students placed in the lower bands 1 and 2.
History
There is a growing trend of reducing the gap between the school and state average. Less students were placed in Band 1 the lowest band and more students placed in the top bands compared to the Liverpool group and similar schools across the state. Results show significant value adding to students placed in the lower and the upper bands.
School Certificate relative performance comparison to Year 5 (value-adding)
This chart shows significant value-added growth in all subject areas compared to the 2006-2010 school average.
Higher School Certificate
Two scholarships were won by students to university and the dux of Casula High School ranked in the top 15 per cent of the State.
2010 was a very challenging year for our Year 12 students. Most subject results scored very close to the school average, with Senior Science and PDHPE scoring better than the school average.
These results indicate that the 2010 cohort achieved results which showed a pattern consistent with the School Certificate results from two years ago.
Casula High School has an ongoing program in place to address the issues presented by these results. Continued attention will also be given to preparing students to develop the techniques required to help them perform better at examinations.
Higher School Certificate relative performance comparison to School Certificate (value-adding)
The value added data indicates a pattern consistent with this cohort’s School Certificate results. The percentage of student achievements placed in the upper bands remained relatively stable. School programs are currently targeting this relative performance comparison data in order to further increase the value added component.
Minimum standards
The Commonwealth Government sets minimum standards for reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy for years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
The performance of the students in our school in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy is compared to these minimum standards. The percentages of our students achieving at or above these standards are reported below.
Percentage of Year 7 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2010
Percentage of Year 9 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2010