School Profile

School Profile

Purpose / Strathmore primary school is a learning community that inspires each other to explore, create and learn. We continually grow in our learning through a rich and challenging curriculum that enables us to develop:
·  high level thinking
·  independence
·  responsibility
·  interpersonal understanding, trust and respect
Our learning environment enables us to interact with each other in a positive and productive manner, utilising our resources and spaces effectively.
Values / 1.  Inspire
2.  Explore
3.  Challenge
These are the values used to support our students in becoming active learners within the community.
Environmental Context / Strathmore Primary School is located in a suburban street to the north-west of Melbourne and has a proud history and a reputation for providing a quality education. The school was established in 1944 to serve the educational needs of the urban development to the north of Essendon and has recently celebrated its 70th birthday. The school has a range of buildings with active and passive outdoor spaces. School facilities include an administration block and staffroom, twenty three classrooms, well-equipped specialist areas, a multi-purpose hall and a library. All spaces are heated and air-conditioned. The school has benefited from the Building the Education Revolution Program in the form of a new library and six new open learning spaces. The socio economic profile of the school is high and the proportion of students with English as a second language is midrange compared to the state.
The enrolment is currently 503 students. The school applied to the region for an enrolment cap of 525 in 2013. The school has a history of enrolling students from outside the area as the school is popular, has a good reputation and is well located and easily accessible by transport.
The school has experienced leadership stability and the current principal has been in the position for six years. The school has 27.4 equivalent full time staff, a principal and assistant principal, a leading teacher and 4.76 non-teaching staff. Specialist programs include art, physical education, Italian and music and performing arts.
The grounds are well established with attractive native gardens which will be further enhanced from the new building works expected to start during this parliament. There is an extensive range of play areas for students including three adventure playgrounds, all covered with shade cloth. Other areas include a large oval, basketball and netball courts, bat tennis courts, sandpits, passive play areas and new cricket nets
Strathmore primary school is located in the south western region and we are a member of the Moonee Valley network of schools.
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Strategic Direction

Goals / Targets / One Year Targets
Achievement / To improve student achievement across the school, with a focus on literacy and numeracy / PLT to create, develop, document and maintain essential learnings for literacy and numeracy.
Peer observation is used to share good practises and as a means of professional development. The school will establish a peer observation model to share current best practice of teaching and learning. All staff will reflect on their own teaching and learn to give and receive feedback.
Student goals are established and will reflect the use of Habits of Mind as a tool in their reading, writing and maths conferences.
Develop a one-to-one ICT policy following consultation with the school community.
Fountas & Pinnell is to be used in the P-2 area as a means of obtaining data in the lower school.
65% of grade 3 students to be in bands 5, 6 and above for NAPLAN in reading & writing. 60% in 2014,
55% of grade 3 students to be in bands 5, 6 and above for NAPLAN in numeracy. 46% in 2014.
40% of grade 5 students to be in bands 7, 8 and above for NAPLAN in reading & writing. 34% in 2014.
35% of grade 5 students to be in bands 7, 8 and above for NAPLAN in numeracy. 23% in 2014. / By the end of the year a draft version of the essential learnings for writing will be developed and reviewed at staff meetings.
Guidelines to be established regarding the focus of the observation in semester 1 and a template created. One PLT meeting (or equivalent) each term is used to observe peers and answer key questions about the lesson.
A plan is developed to determine how we want to make best use of the Habits of Minds.
A one-to-one ICT policy is created and ratified (subject to school council ratification). Staff receive professional development to support the program.
Data collection to be discussed in the PLT, team and curriculum meetings. Professional Development in staff meetings on Excel & data analysis over the course of the plan.
85% of students to have medium or high growth in their NAPLAN results from grade 3 to 5.
AusVELS
In reading, writing and number 100% of prep students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 100%.
In reading, writing and number 90% of grade 1 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 93%.
In reading, writing and number 90% of grade 2 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 95%.
In reading, writing and number 90% of grade 3 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 90%.
In reading, writing and number 90% of grade 4 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 92%.
In reading, writing and number 85% of grade 5 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 93%.
In reading, writing and number 85% of grade 6 students will be at level. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 78%.
In reading and number 50% of prep students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 42%.
In reading, writing and number 45% of grade 1 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 44%.
In reading, writing and number 50% of grade 2 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 45%.
In reading, writing and number 45% of grade 3 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 39%.
In reading, writing and number 45% of grade 4 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 47%.
In reading, writing and number 40% of grade 5 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 39%.
In reading, writing and number 50% of grade 6 students will be at least 6 months ahead. Based on last 3 years data. 2014 data showed 41%.
School Staff Survey – Collective Responsibility – 75% endorsement
School Staff Survey – Collective Efficacy – 75% endorsement
School Staff Survey – Academic Emphasis – 70% endorsement
School Staff Survey – Teacher Collaboration – 70% endorsement
Engagement / To improve student engagement across the school by building student ‘voice’ in their learning. / The student goal setting process is used to foster student engagement through the use of Habits of Mind.
School Connectedness to be at or above the 50th percentile on the Attitudes to School Survey (ATSS). (The average of the previous three years is 24.9 – which is very low). 50th percentile is a realistic target; an aspirational target would be the 75th percentile.
Student motivation to be at or above the 60th percentile on the ATSS (The average of the previous three years is 52.9). 60th percentile is a realistic target; an aspirational target would be the 75th percentile. / Student goals are established and will reflect the use of Habits of Mind as a tool in their reading, writing and maths conferences.
By the end of semester 1 all students would have been part of the process that has developed a survey. Students and teachers will have analysed the results.
The classroom setup is designed with student input. Setup will change due to student feedback.
By the end of semester 1 all students would have been part of the process that has developed a survey. Students and teachers will have analysed the results.
The classroom setup is designed with student input. The setup will reflect student feedback.
Wellbeing / To improve student wellbeing through building a stimulating learning environment. / Student Code of Conduct and Values program to better reflect the needs of the students. Students will have input into the development of new documentation. There will be ongoing tracking of yard & class incidents to monitor the number and severity of incidents. The target is a 10% decrease in the number of incidents across the school.
Student safety to be at or above the 50th percentile on the ATSS (The average of the previous three years is 35.5). 50th percentile is a realistic target; an aspirational target would be the 75th percentage.
Student distress to be at or above the 60th percentile on the ATSS (The average of the previous three years is 52.9). 60th percentile is a realistic target; an aspirational target would be the 75th percentage.
Stimulating Learning to be at or above the 60th percentile on the ATSS (The average of the previous three years is 52.9). 60th percentile is a realistic target; an aspirational target would be the 75th percentage. / The beginning implementation of the Positive Behaviours in schools program.
By the end of semester 1 all students would have been part of the process that has developed a survey. Students and teachers will have analysed the results.
The classroom setup is designed with student input. Setup will change due to student feedback.
By the end of semester 1 all students would have been part of the process that has developed a survey. Students and teachers will have analysed the results.
The classroom setup is designed with student input. Setup will change due to student feedback.
By the end of semester 1 all students would have been part of the process that has developed a survey. Students and teachers will have analysed the results.
The classroom setup is designed with student input. Setup will change due to student feedback.
Productivity / To maximise the use of resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for students. / Establish a mission, vision and values that all staff, students and families are a part of and understand.
School Staff Survey – Renewal of knowledge and skills – 75% endorsement / Visuals of the mission, vision and values are displayed in classrooms and around the school.
The staff survey gives an insight into how staff view the school with renewal of knowledge and skills.

Implementation

Key Improvement Strategies / What
the activities and programs required to progress the key improvement strategies / How
the budget, equipment, IT, learning time, learning space / Who
the individuals or teams responsible for implementation / When
the date, week, month or term for completion / Achievement milestones
the changes in practice or behaviours
Achievement / §  PLT focus to be extended to include writing, as well as numeracy (numeracy is a previous focus).
§  Teacher instructional practice is extended through the use of mentor texts and professional development. This work will be reflected in TaLLs, PLT and team meetings.
§  Data is used to identify student needs and inform teaching to improve student outcomes. Specific student learning data will be recorded in team planners and work programs and will be reflected in the minutes of meetings.
§  Learning Intentions and Success Criteria will be embedded in the planning and practice of lessons across the school. / §  PLT planning times throughout the week one on writing and one on numeracy. Room 7 for all PLT meetings. Writing resources and mentor texts for staff in PLTs. Time for staff to look at different mentor texts.
§  Curriculum day on Writing → roll out coaching to staff on writing
§  TaLLs meetings will include regular readings on current best practice. This work will be further investigated in PLT and team meetings.
§  Excel spreadsheets, discussions during PLT meetings. Pre & post-test assessments are used to target what the students need to know. Students are grouped to allow for best learning outcomes. PLT plans grouping across all students in the PLT
§  Discussions during TaLLs, staff, PLT and team meetings.
§  Peer observation program used as a way of establishing the need for Learning Intentions & Success Criteria / §  PLTs, all staff, Leading Teachers, English and Numeracy Leaders
§  Principal & Leadership Team in TaLLs meeting. All staff, TaLLs
§  All staff. Leadership group updates and maintains the whole school data systems.
§  All staff will use Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in their classroom. / §  Weekly meetings. Draft essential learnings for writing to be completed by the end of the year.
§  Weekly meetings. The focus is on student learning. TaLLs meetings establish the focus for the week. TaLLs discuss this in team meetings. Staff meetings & curriculum days reinforce the need to keep up to date with current best practice
§  Whole school data is updated when new data is created, eg. when AusVELS scores are entered into report writing package, after NAPLAN results are published etc. All staff maintain data for their own classes using the templates established in PLT meetings.