2022 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

CONTENTS

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

1 2 3 4 6 8 10

INTRODUCTION WHO WE ARE OUR ETHOS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW OUTSTANDING RESULTS STUDENT AND STAFF STATISTICS SCHOOL SATISFACTION

INTRODUCTION

1

Usual, typical, and expected are words used to define ‘normal’. These are not words that evoke excitement. However, all things are relative, and having experienced a school year in 2022 that was significantly more predictable, and steadier compared to prior years, this provided a sense of ‘normal’ which was most welcome.

Schools across Victoria became RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) distributors in 2022 but otherwise the year saw our School curriculum and co-curricular programs run consistently, with many learning opportunities, experiences, and events to engage students, staff and the School community. The outdoor education program provided students with a myriad of challenges during their camp week. Shakespeare Day and the honouring of ‘the Bard’ was enjoyed by students and staff, with the Humanities Festival, Writers’ Festival and vigorous House competitions keeping spirits high.

From Cabaret Night with its ‘country and western’ theme, to the School Play, Antigone, audiences were in awe of the talents of our students. We participated in Open House Melbourne, with the Annie Hughston Centre open to the public, providing an opportunity for the wider community to see inside our newest

building, and to visit Tourmont and Glencairn, experiencing the School’s rich architectural history.

Fintona Parents’ Association (FPA) gatherings continue to grow in popularity, as did Old Fintonians’ Alumni (OFA) reunions.

The School hosted an inaugural 50 years plus, ‘Blue and Gold’ Luncheon, with alumni from the Class of 1945 through to the Class of 1972 in attendance. These types of events help to grow and perpetuate the special connections between old and new Fintonians and our great community.

The talents of Fintona students were again on display at the Annual Music Concert, held at the Melbourne Recital Centre. The evening showcased the passion and skill of our student musicians. We enjoyed several Art Exhibitions and were able to walk through the Corbett Lyon Gallery indulging ourselves in the colourful and creative artworks by students in the Early Learning Centre through to Year 12.

In addition, students were enthusiastically involved in a variety of lunchtime clubs, Year 9 Connections and Year 10 Work Experience programs, excursions, and incursions and much more, with renewed enthusiasm and the realisation that we all learn and grow best when working face to face.

The Class of 2022 were the first, in three years, to be able to graduate having spent their whole final year on-site and we were delighted to be able to again celebrate their outstanding achievements with the wider community at Valedictory Evening.

The VCE results of this Year 12 cohort are indicative of their hard work and commitment to their studies, and to the passionate educators we have at Fintona.

The Fintona Festival was the last, but by no means the least, of the School’s major events held in 2022 and was an outstanding success. The School prides itself on its strength of community and our place in the broader community and this event reflected that and was deemed the best ever, raising approximately $50,000.

Fintona had a ‘normal’ 2022.

Rachael Falloon Principal

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

The School continues to operate successfully, with School Tours being well attended due to strong interest in what we have to offer, resulting in robust enrolments. Fintona has a unique ability to honour its long held and much-loved traditions alongside contemporary educational methodologies. We are resolute in our quest to unearth the extraordinary in every student and to ensure that we have a positive impact on girls’ education.

WHO WE ARE

At Fintona, we see the extraordinary in every individual.

Here, students are encouraged to develop their talents and interests - to become fearless and adaptable leaders of the future.

Every individual is seen and nurtured to move beyond their comfort zone and unlock their natural potential.

2

Our learning programs are immersive, integrated and practical.

We offer a distinct and stimulating approach to academic excellence by nurturing a love of learning that spans an abundance of disciplines.

Our students are driven to make a difference and are supportive of each other’s success. Fintonians are bound together by a sense of belonging, a drive for change and an ability to lead, which challenges the status quo.

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

3

OUR ETHOS

A Fintona student can be recognised as one who faces her life with the simple belief that to live is to learn.

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

In every endeavour, she aspires to do the very best she can. She is able to learn and work independently, yet enjoys the opportunity for interdependent and collaborative work. She holds secure moral principles and beliefs, believes in a healthy body, whilst remaining attuned to the intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions of her being. As a communicator she is poised and confident, is largely self directed but will ask for help, if needed. For her, the pursuit of excellence is assumed, not contrived, and she knows this innately. We hope that she accepts her limitations and believes that within those limits she can be inspired to make a difference.

She nurtures a love of tradition and heritage whilst maintaining a positive vision for the future. She is protective and proud of the School’s reputation and her own and aspires to be truthful and kind in her interactions with others. Her outlook is optimistic and global, essentially because she is tolerant and believes in the inherent decency of all people. She tries to look upon others as individuals rather than a crowd, and is respectful of difference. Like all people, we hope she understands that she has her faults, yet she also reflects on her own behaviour. In all aspects of her life, she eschews what is vulgar and mean-spirited, and directs herself to what is good and noble.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

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The graphs below indicate that the majority of Fintona’s income is derived from Tuition Fees.

Government Grants represent only 15% of income.

Prudent management of expenditure is key to Fintona’s healthy financial position. Employment is the largest expense in all schools, and we continue to value and reward staff as we are able to within our means. ICT remains a constant focus with its staffing and infrastructure.

The School continued its refurbishment program during 2022 and this included: — Completion of the Junior Campus Administration area which included Reception, Head of Junior School Office, Sick Bay and Print Room as well as the entrance pathway and windows — Continued Year 3 and 4 classroom refurbishment — MCH kitchen refurbishment — Renovation of level 1 of the Butt Building including upgrade of the Deputy Principal’s space, relocation of the IT Department and creation of a student wellbeing space — Renovation of the ground floor of the Butt Building to enhance the Year 11 and 12 Common Rooms — Upgrade of the Junior School art room — Re-purposing of physics rooms to classrooms This continued investment ensures both students and staff have access to well maintained and safe spaces for education programs.

Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ending 31 December 2022 Income 2022

Expenses 2022

83 %

73 %

Fees

Employment

15%

8%

Government Grants

Education

1%

9% Depreciation

Other Fintona | Annual Report 2022

1%

5% Other

Donations

5% Buildings, Gardens and Grounds

5

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

OUTSTANDING RESULTS

6

Fintona Girls’ School is renowned for consistently achieving outstanding VCE and NAPLAN results, placing Fintona among the highest performing girls’ schools in Victoria. The 2022 results once again affirm this strong position.

2022 VCE Highlights at a Glance Dux, Keira Xu who achieved an ATAR of

99.8

Proxime Accessit, Livia Tropea who achieved an ATAR of

Median ATAR

99.75 92.05 Median Study Score

36

Perfect Study scores were achieved in – Art – Chemistry – Economics – English – Visual Communication Design

ATAR ACHIEVEMENTS

19% of students achieved

An ATAR of

99

35% of students achieved

An ATAR of

+

96

62% of students achieved

An ATAR of

+

90

+

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

8%

COURSE DESTINATIONS

Design & Fine Arts

20%

8%

Health Sciences & Allied Health

Law

20%

8%

Science & Engineering

7

Medicine / Biomedicine

14%

4%

Arts

Education

14%

2%

Business/ Commerce

Music Performance

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

43%

10%

2%

29 %

2%

2%

12 % NAPLAN The 2022 NAPLAN results place Fintona amongst the best performing non-government girls’ schools in Victoria for both Primary and Secondary.

The following charts show the percentage of students at Fintona achieving or exceeding national benchmarks according to NAPLAN testing in 2022. Source: NAPLAN Data Service.

2021 and 2022 NAPLAN results

Year 3

2021 100% in all areas 2022 100% in all areas

Year 5

2021 100% in all areas 2022 100% in all areas

Year 7

These excellent results reflect the extra attention students receive in a small school environment as well as the dedication and commitment of Fintona staff.

2021 100% in all areas 2022 100% in Writing, Reading and Numeracy 2022 98% in Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation 2021 100% in Writing, Reading, Numeracy and Spelling 2021 98% in Grammar and Punctuation 2022 100% in Spelling and Numeracy 2022 98% in Writing 2022 97% in Reading, Grammar and Punctuation

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

Year 9

STUDENT AND STAFF STATISTICS

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Our Students

Our Staff

For approximately 550 students from ELC to Year 12, Fintona is a welcoming and safe environment where a sense of belonging and connectedness is experienced.

We are very proud of our staff and recognise that they work with dedication to produce outstanding outcomes for our students.

Retention Rate Our student retention rate across the School was 92%.

Student Attendance Rates Attendance is everyone’s responsibility at Fintona. Attendance is monitored daily and unexplained absences followed up by phone. Extended absences are managed by Heads of School and the School Counsellor with supportive programs in place to encourage a return to school as soon as possible and in a way where wellbeing and the development of resilience is in focus.

The average length of service for teaching staff at Fintona is 7 years. In 2022, our staff comprised of 71% teaching staff and 29% general staff. The average staff attendance was 94% while the retention rate was 82%. The Professional Learning attended by staff was part of the School’s Professional Learning Plan which aims to provide staff with opportunities to strengthen their academic knowledge and teaching skills whilst at the same time encouraging participation in broader areas of interest. The average professional learning expenditure per staff member was $470. Our staff are highly qualified and enjoy working in a close and supportive community. The following chart displays the highest qualification of our teaching staff (including Early Learning Centre educators and Instrumental music teachers). It shows that 85% of our teaching staff have a Bachelor Degree or Higher. In addition, 67% of our teaching staff hold more than one degree or certification.

Prep

94%

Year 1

93%

Year 2

92%

Year 3

93%

Year 4

92%

Year 5

94%

Year 6

92%

Masters

Year 7

93%

56%

Teaching Staff Qualifications

2% PhD

27%

Bachelors

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

Year 8

93%

Year 9

90%

Year 10

92%

Year 11

88%

Year 12

87%

11% Diploma

9

Fintona | Annual Report 2022

SCHOOL SATISFACTION

10

Parent Satisfaction Providing the best possible education for our students is Fintona’s primary objective. To help meet this commitment, we undertook a Parent Satisfaction Survey targeting all parents from ELC to Year 12.

The aim of the Parent Satisfaction Survey was to gain valuable feedback from parents, and to understand perceptions regarding the quality of the educational experience at Fintona.

Agree

Neutral

A total of 88 parents responded to the survey which represented a good cross section of the School and year groups. The results provided clear evidence of the overall satisfaction of Fintona parents and a positive appreciation of the education we offer. The Parent Satisfaction Survey comprised a number of statements that parents could rate from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.

Parents were also asked to comment on what improvements the School could make and to advise what aspects of the curriculum their daughters enjoy. Overall, the results demonstrate that Fintona parents have a very high satisfaction level with the quality of education their children are receiving.

Disagree 0

My child feels safe at this school

This school takes parents’ opinions seriously This school works with me to support my child’s learning This school looks for ways to improve Teachers at this school treat students fairly

My child’s learning needs are being met at this school Teachers at this school motivate my child to learn Student behaviour is well managed at this school My child is making good progress at this school I can talk to my child’s teachers or Head of School about my concerns My child likes being at this school Fintona | Annual Report 2022

Teachers at this school expect my child to do her/his best This school takes parents’ opinions seriously There are opportunities for me to connect and engage with other parents at the School

25

50

75

100

11

FINTONA GIRLS’ SCHOOL Wurundjeri Woi Wurring Country 79 Balwyn Road Balwyn VIC 3103 Australia CRICOS 00139C +61 3 9830 1388 fgs@fintona.vic.edu.au fintona.vic.edu.au