Annual Report 2006
Al Zahra College
Chairman’s report 2006 has been a year full of activities, learning and growth for all students, and the school as a whole. The following pages present the academic and financial position of Al Zahra College, as required by the NSW Board of Studies. It is a big task, to say the least, to bring to these pages the full scope of activity and learning, and achievements, which took place at the school during this very busy year. In 2006, we continued our Islamic and Arabic studies, but we were also very proud to further build on the standard of our literacy and numeracy work by continuing to hold our dedicated and uninterrupted morning sessions in these subjects. The results of this programme were obvious through the good marks achieved by our students in the Basic Skills Tests in Years 3 and 5, and other international competitions. The special emphasis on science, which began in 2005, continued in this year with more resources made available to our students, as well as upgrading the computer lab. With the growing awareness of the problem of childhood obesity, staff at Al Zahra College ensured that our children were physically healthy as well as mentally stimulated, by introducing 20-minute morning fitness sessions, as well as dedicated PE lessons for individual classes and after-school sports activities. This year we also continued our important work with the Interschool Harmony Committee, a committee formed of eight schools in the area from three different sectors of the education system; public, independent and Catholic. The Committee, which was an initiative of Al Zahra College, continued to focus on improving the education of our students, teachers and community in the areas of values, and respect and responsibility. The College’s initiatives in these areas were noticed by the Federal and State Governments and showcased in a number of presentations, conferences and documents which identified outstanding schools in this area of teaching. The students all participated in excursions and extra-curricular activities in 2006, which made their education richer and more enjoyable. Some of the students took part in two or three-day excursions to Canberra and Queensland, while others went on day trips to Taronga Zoo and Centennial Park, just to name a few. All the children participated in special activities such as the book parade, fire safety days, Jeans for Genes Day, Trees for Peace Day, and incursions such as Snake Tales. In 2006, we engaged the Macquarie Marketing Group to survey the parents, students and teachers on the strengths and weaknesses of Al Zahra College. We were pleased with the positive outcomes of the review, especially with parents who said the school was meeting their expectations. As a consequence of the survey, we have placed some items on the agenda for 2007. These include improving the playground, longer lunchtimes, more release time for teachers, greater emphasis on music and more integration of IT into the classroom. I must also take this opportunity to thank the College board of directors and council, and the school parents for their support and encouragement during the year. We hope to see you at Al Zahra College in the new year. Ahmad Mokachar Chairman
Academic achievement School performance in statewide tests and examinations In 2006, all Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in the state-wide Basic Skills Test (BST). An analysis of this year’s results revealed significant improvements for Al Zahra College.
BST results - percentages in top 3 skill bands in 2005 and 2006 Test
Basic Skills Test (BST) Aspects of Literacy Aspects of Numeracy
Year 3 (skill bands 1-5) Percentage of students achieving top 3 skill bands 2005 2006 Gain 79% 84% 6% 68% 73% 5%
Year 5 (skill bands 1-6) Percentage of students achieving top 3 skill bands 2005 2006 Gain 87% 100% 13% 87% 96% 9%
Year 3 basic skills test results
Year 5 basic skills test results
Teaching staff Student population The school has 176 students of whom 78 are in the infant years (K-2) and 98 are in the primary years (3-6). There are approximately 49% girls and 51% boys throughout the school. Students come from predominately Arabic speaking backgrounds and a number of students begin their schooling with limited English language experience. In addition, the school enrols a number of students with special needs.
Teacher standards Category Teachers who have teaching qualifications from a higher education institution within Australia or as recognised within the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) guidelines, or Teachers who have qualifications as a graduate from a higher education institution within Australia or one recognised within the AEI-NOOSR guidelines but lack formal teacher education qualifications, or Teachers who do not have qualifications as described in (a) and (b) but have relevant successful teaching experience or appropriate knowledge relevant to the teaching context
Number of Teachers 10
2
2
Attendance and retention rates In 2006 the average daily staff retention rate was 97.3 per cent. The proportion of teaching staff retained from 2005 was 73 per cent.
Staff development The school executive participated in leadership seminars on subjects such as excelling at managing and supervising people, finding humour in leadership, making measurement matter and child protection investigation, as well as other courses. All the teaching staff participated in the professional development on various issues and topics within the school before the commencement of the school year. In addition, the following professional development activities were undertaken by teachers throughout 2006:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Attendees
Occupational health and safety briefing - AIS
10
Workplace evacuation - ComSafe (including warden training)
10
Asthma education - South Eastern Area Health Service
10
Accreditation of New Scheme teachers - AIS
10
Active After School Community coaching course
2
Quality teaching seminar – Ralph Rizozzo
1
Digital storytelling - AIS
1
Developing a student leadership – Macquarie School of Graduate Management Strategies to teach maths to ESL students – AIS
1
Follow-up to third wave learning - ACER
1
Fa’lam: an innovate approach to teaching Arabic K-6
1
Syllabus implementation programming and planning for Arabic
1
1
School policies Enrolment policy Al Zahra College is a comprehensive co-educational K-6 school providing an education underpinned by religious values and operating within the policies of the NSW Board of Studies. At Al Zahra College all applications will be processed in order of receipt and consideration will be given to the applicant’s support for the ethos of the school. Once enrolled, students are expected to support the school’s ethos and comply with the school policies to maintain the enrolment.
Procedures 1. Applications for enrolment as a pupil of Al Zahra College should be made by the parent or guardian on the Expression of Interest form provided by the College. 2. Al Zahra College processes all applications within the school’s enrolment policy. 3. The College will consider each applicant’s supporting statement and interview responses regarding their ability and willingness to support the school’s ethos. 4. The College will consider each applicant’s educational needs by gathering information and consulting with the parents/ family and other relevant persons. 5. Through a screening interview, the College will identify any strategies which need to be put into place to accommodate the applicant before a decision regarding the enrolment is made. 6.
The College will inform the applicant of the outcome.
Subject to availability, offers of a place will be made according to whether there are siblings of the student already at the school and the order of application. Continuing enrolment is subject to the student’s adherence to school policies and payment of all school fees.
Student welfare policies The College seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment which: • • •
minimises risk of harm and ensures students feel secure; supports the physical, social, academic, spiritual and emotional development of students; provides student welfare policies and programmes that develop a sense of self-worth and foster personal development.
To ensure that the College’s aims for providing for a student’s welfare are implemented, the following policies were in place during 2006:
Child protection policy The College policy encompasses: • • • • •
Definitions and concepts Legislative requirements Reporting and investigating ‘reportable conduct’ Investigation procedure Documentation
A copy of the policy is available for viewing from the school administration office or on the Al Zahra College website.
Student leadership policy The College’s policy includes: • •
Guidelines Implementation procedures
This policy can be viewed in the staff administration office and on the school’s website.
Care and supervision policy The College’s policy includes: • • •
First aid procedures Administration of medicines Duty of care
A copy of this policy can be viewed at the school administration office or on the College’s website.
Codes of conduct policy The College has a range of policies and procedures including: • • • •
Behaviour management Student award procedures Anti-bullying practices Student scholarship award procedure
Details of the policy can be viewed at the school administration office and on the school’s website.
Homework policy The school’s policy encompasses: • •
Expectations of students Implementation procedures
These policies can be viewed in the staff administration office and on the College’s website.
Policies for student discipline Students are required to abide by the College’s rules and to follow the directions of teachers and other people with authority delegated by the College. Where disciplinary action is required penalties imposed vary according to the nature and severity of the breach of discipline and a student’s prior behaviour. Corporal punishment is not permitted under any circumstances. Our behaviour modification programme incorporates 10 levels; 5 positive and 5 negative. All discipline matters are referred to the school’s Disciplinary Committee for resolution. This may require an individual behaviour modification programme for a student or, in cases of serious breaches, suspension may be required. All members of the College community have access to the policy and procedures through: • • •
Request to school administration office Staff handbook Policies page of school website
Minor changes were made to the school’s discipline during 2006 with recommendation for further changes in the future. Policies can be viewed in the administration office and on the College’s website.
Policies for complaints and grievances resolution The College’s policy for dealing with complaints and grievances includes procedures for the lodgement of complaints and a grievances resolution process. The policy allows for matters to be raised by students, parents and teachers in an environment of respect and fairness. There is also an appeals process. The full text of the policy is available through: • • •
Request to school administration office Staff andbook Policies page of school website
This policy did not change during 2006.
Achievements Achievement of priorities for 2006 Area Academic
Priorities Improve literacy and numeracy in all years
Increase learning in Science & Technology
Achievements • Dedicated daily literacy, numeracy and writing sessions • Participated in Premier Reading Challenge with 58 children achieving certificate • Dedicated ESL and Special Education teachers working with all years • Increased small group withdrawal • Bridges Support Reading Programme conducted • Volunteers assisting with special programmes • Library resources increased • Home reading resources increased • Successful book fair and book character parade conducted • Improved results in BST • Increased excursion/incursions to create more opportunities to write recounts • Drop Everything and Read included in timetables • Personal development programme for Year 6. • Science day held and excursion to Powerhouse Museum took place • Key Reference Teacher assigned • • • • •
Enhance computer usage
• • •
Medical practitioner provided lectures on the human body to Years 5 and 6 Increased Design and Make requirements Increased number and frequency of Science and Technology excursions Increased science and technology resources such as books, posters and activities Education director reviewed programmes for each term to ensure appropriate outcomes were met Introduced Computers Across the Curriculum programme Resourced computer room relocated to be closer to the classrooms Increased number of computers throughout the school and employment of IT support staff
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Achievement of priorities for 2006 continued Sport
Welfare
Improve fitness levels of students
Target National Values Framework areas Improve Student Behaviour
• •
Daily dedicated fitness sessions conducted Athletics carnivals, walkathons and swimming lessons held
• •
Weekly sports sessions outsourced and conducted by professional instructors After School Activities conducted three days per week
• *
Improvement made to the Value syllabus Conducted a school review
•
Updated House system of penalties and rewards A review of the discipline policy conducted and changes made to the policy Discipline committee formed
• •
School development
Improve interschool relations
•
Proceed with 20-year school development plan
• Purchase of 3 titles adjacent to the school
Improve school relations with Interschool Harmony Committee through the presentation of three showcases, for the Federal Government, NSW Department of Education and the Board of Studies respect and responsibility forum. * Celebration of international teachers’ day through the invitation teachers of eight different schools for a BBQ. * Stage 3 teachers focused on liaising, cooperating and sharing resources and planning for future projects
for the improvement of the school playground. Revisited our 20 year plan and recommendations made for future adjustment. An interactive whiteboard was placed in the school computer lab.
Financial report Income
BGA 27%
State Grants 18%
Fees & Private Income 22%
Commonwealth Recurrent Grants 33%
Expenditure
Salaries, allowances & related expenditure, $1,110,094.00 Capital Expenditure, $1,109,708.00
Non Salary Expenses, $410,663.00