Mountain Creek State School

Annual Report

School annual report - 2009

Principal’s Forward

We believe that the primary years of schooling P-7 are essential in the development of life long learning skills and we are committed to providing quality education by ensuring that all students are engaged in learning through contemporary, challenging and relevant programs. We boast committed teachers, innovative programs, quality facilities and strong community partnerships. As educators we provide futuristic and challenging programs with traditional values and I invite you to see the difference for yourself.

At Mountain Creek State School we value and demonstrate:

A “welcoming feel” to the school
Excellent relationships between staff, parents and students
Genuine care and concerns for all students
Quality programs delivered by quality teachers
Great specialist programs
A wide range of excellent support programs
A wide range of extra curricula activities
High expectations for school standards and values
Excellent school organisation

Glenn Mc Gowan
Principal

Future Outlook

Key strategic directions identified for Mountain Creek State School for 2007 – 2009 are as follows:

Enhancement of Technology ICT infrastructure to allow more opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning using a variety of technological tools.
Laptops for teachers program implemented across the school , incorporating OneSchool – a fully integrated, automated, information management system that is web-based and can be accessed anywhere, at anytime from any computer with internet capabilities.
Development of an enriched curriculum for Years 6 & 7 via the Young Achievers Program.
Continue the Intensive LOTE program for our most gifted students.
Development of a Middle School Culture with stronger links to Mountain Creek SHS which enables an easier transition from primary school to secondary school i.e. Young Scholars Program.
A focus on the development of writing standards in order to achieve a higher level of consistency not only in the teaching of writing skills but assessing and reporting on writing to parents across year levels.
Consistent implementation of Code of School Behaviour.
Refinement of the reporting framework “QCARF’ A-E standards across the school.
Implementing the Maths syllabus incorporating – “ The ways of working” & School Standards
PREP Implementation to ensure the very best start to school for all children.
Literacy Professional Development for teachers and teacher-aides P-3, 4-5, 6-7 across the District
A focus on our roles as ECO Citizens in terms of how we influence Environmental Sustainability in our school, our community our world.
Continued focus on high performance by adjusting our targets and strategies for improving student learning outcomes to reflect national rather than statewide benchmarks.

Our School At A Glance

School Profile

Total student enrolments for this school: 1179

Year levels offered: Prep-7

Coeducational or single sex: Coeducational

Curriculum Offerings

• Arts program focussing on music and drama

• Student Leadership Program

• Young Achievers (Extension program for Year 6 & 7 students)

• Young Scholars

• Extensive Language Program (with High School Links to year 10)

• Program Achieve (values based socials skills program)

• Surf Skills (Yr 7)

• Interschool Sports Program

• School Wide Positive Behaviour Program

• Peer Mediation Program

• Recreational Sport

• Buddy system (older students supporting younger classes)

• Lunch Time Activity Program

• Learning Support Program across the school.

• Support-A-Beginning Reader Program implemented by Yr 7 Leaders to support children in Year 1

• Highly Successful - Kids at Sea Musical & Wakakirri Performance

• Optiminds Program

• School Mathematics Tournament Teams

• Guitar

• Extensive Sports Programs

• School camps and excursions

• Study Tour groups from Japan, Korea and Thailand.

• Overseas (LOTE) Japan trip

• Year 7 Leadership Camp

• Chess Club

How computers are used to assist learning

We embrace the Smart School’s Agenda to develop a “learning community”, whereby: teachers undertake opportunities to develop meaningful and engaging learning experiences. Flexible usage of technologies allows integration in an interdisciplinary curriculum which supports student’s developmental needs. Students are engaged in a challenging curriculum, focused on inquiry based, relevant experiences that can be open-ended in design.

Students have access to a range of computer sites and configurations throughout the school. Configurations include: class-based computers, POD arrangements (both wireless and desktops), large scale computer labs and research facilities. Development of flexible and formal learning environments in the Resource Centre with desktop computers (class facility), laptop computers, data projectors and interactive whiteboards.

Teachers innovate using technologies to enhance teaching episodes using online content, virtual classrooms and software packages.

Social climate

Since opening in 2004 Mountain Creek State School has operated by our motto of ‘Caring, Sharing, Learning Together’. Our school community works together to provide an environment that is loving, challenging and stimulating which nurtures the joy of learning. The social and emotional well-being of staff and students is an important aspect of our school. We implemented a variety of proactive strategies during 2008 to ensure a social climate that is supportive for all stakeholders.

We have a variety of staff at our school whose role is to support staff, students and families, including School Chaplin, Student Welfare teacher and Guidance Officer. An example of the programs offered during 2008 included ‘Rock & Water’, ‘Resilient Kids’ and ‘Program Achieve’. Our Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students encourages the use of a non-coercive approach that builds relationships, encourages self-evaluation and focuses on quality and this helps to develop a positive social climate. Trained Peer Mediators (upper Primary students) are another proactive strategy to support children in the playground to ensure that children in the lower year levels have break times that are enjoyable and fun.

2008 school data reflects that our school community has a high level of satisfaction with the school climate, however greater explanation to parents of our Behaviour management strategies may decrease the high neutral response.

Involving parents in their child’s education

Parent involvement is highly valued and encouraged. This notion is central to maintaining a strong sense of community in our large school setting. Traditionally families are involved in a very hands-on fashion in the lower school, which is greatly appreciated by children and teachers. Some activities that involve parents in their children’s education are as follows:

• General classroom help – including changing Home Readers

• Parent and community presentations

• Support-A-Reader volunteers

• Parents and Citizens Association

• Community Support Register

• Parent-Teacher Nights at the beginning of the school year

• Reporting processes including interviews

• Canteen supporters group

• Book Club facilitating

• Under 8s Week supervision

• Facilities committee

• Excursion and camp supervision

• Learning Celebrations e.g. 4M Cultural evening

Our Staff Profile

Qualifications of all teachers

Expenditure on teacher participation in professional development

The total funds expended on teacher professional development in 2008 was $25 011 . The major professional development initiatives are as follows:

• Code of Conduct Training

• Senior First Aid

• QCAR Middle Phase Workshop

• Grammar Workshop- David Hornby

• Early Childhood Conference

• Leading Learning for the Future

• DETA Internal Purchasing Training

• Curriculum and Studies with Disabilities: The Link Workshop

• Prep Workshop

• Role of Language Studies with Anxiety

• Schools Officer Network Meeting

• Business Administration Cert 4

• Making a Difference Workshop

The involvement of the teaching staff in professional development activities during 2008 was 82 %.

Average staff attendance

For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders, the staff attendance rate was 96% in 2008.

Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year

From the end of the 2007 school year, 99% of staff were retained by the school for the entire 2008 school year.

Performance of our students

Student attendance

The average attendance rate, as a percentage, in 2008 was 95%.

Key Outcomes

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results - our reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy results for the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Domain	Measures		Yr 3	Yr 5	Yr 7
Reading	Average score for the school		300	471	528
	Average score for Queensland		371.1	466.1	528.1
	For the school the percentage of students at or above the national minimum standard.	2008	97 %	89 %	97 %
Writing	Average score for the school		415	479	517
	Average score for Queensland		391.8	468.9	522.7
	For the school the percentage of students at or above the national minimum standard.	2008	98 %	93 %	90 %
Spelling	Average score for the school		387	459	533
	Average score for Queensland		366.7	462.0	528.0
	For the school the percentage of students at or above the national minimum standard.	2008	97 %	86 %	95 %
Grammar and Punctuation	Average score for the school		388	482	517
	Average score for Queensland		370.4	476.6	518.0
	For the school the percentage of students at or above the national minimum standard.	2008	96 %	90 %	91 %
Numeracy	Average score for the school		380	459	555
	Average score for Queensland		367.9	458.2	539.0
	For the school the percentage of students at or above the national minimum standard.	2008	96 %	92 %	98 %

Results in the Year 2 Diagnostic Net

The percentages below are of students not requiring additional support

Reading	89%
Writing	93 %
Number	97 %

Value added

Some of the specific activities which has added value to our overall school outcomes in the last year are as follows:

Analysis of school data to identify “at risk” students and the development and provision of a wide range of literacy and numeracy intervention programs such as Perceptual Motor programs, Support A Reader program (supports over 50 students per week), Phonemic Awareness and Language Enrichment programs.
A strong focus on professional development and learning with a particular emphasis on Maths, Science and ICT’s.
The very successful planning and implementation of our PREP programs.
The implementation of our Code of School Behaviour which outlines clear expectations for students, staff and parents.
Highly proactive leadership and student development programs and responsive support for student welfare issues.
A continued focus on quality teaching and learning.

Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school

We believe that a strong focus on the following creates the most positive difference to the lives of our students:

Creating a safe, tolerant and welcoming environment for all students
Encouraging personnel to strive to be the best they can be
Developing lifelong learners and lifelong carers
Establishing a supportive and inclusive learning environment
Modelling a personal commitment to high performance and making a difference
Creating an atmosphere of trust, respect and care
Parents have demonstrated their “satisfaction” on recent data collection by following –
91% satisfaction that their child is getting a good education
91% satisfaction that this is a good school
Students have demonstrated their “satisfaction” on recent data collection by following –
92% satisfaction that this is a good school
Staff have demonstrated their “satisfaction” on recent data collection by following –
99% I get on well with students at this school

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Mountain Creek State School

Caring, Sharing and Learning Together