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Our College motto of Realising the Potential Within is underpinned by our mission of developing the whole student and striving towards our goals of maximising potential in all aspects of our student’s growth and development. Rivermount College demonstrates a commitment to providing a holistic education, focusing on the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of all students.

In line with this, the College has developed a Portrait of a Rivermount Student, centred around our College values of perseverance, integrity and excellence as well as promoting kindness and compassion, Christian values and becoming a lifelong learner. All students are encouraged to strive to achieve to their full potential in their pursuit of excellence. College and community spirit accompany instilling a sense of pride in personal appearance, conduct and the College environment. Our Pastoral Care, Wellbeing and Christian Studies Programs aim to promote positive character development and support for students in developing essential life skills to enable optimum success in contemporary society.

Rivermount College is a family-based community that provides an environment of support to foster the development of confidence, responsibility and respect for self as well as others. Our positive approach to enabling holistic development encompasses building character, nurturing creativity, promoting critical thinking and collaboration, developing skills in communication and embedding ethics and citizenship into our culture. Tolerance, compassion, social justice and mutual respect are integral in our learning environments. The positive, supportive College community allows students to explore their abilities, enable self-expression, celebrate success and develop important skills in self-reflection and growth.

The academic arena, sports fields, performing arts and creative expression programs all assist in providing abundant opportunities to students of all ages and abilities. Many social justice and community projects are available for students to engage with and together with the innovative and dynamic learning environment, this encourages inquisitive minds and explorative styles of learning and self-expression. The abundant opportunities to find their passions and pursue excellence in fields that they are motivated and engaged in facilitates maximising potential and enhances the students’ educational journeys.

SUPPORT SERVICES:

Our Support Services team has grown into a cohesive and dynamic department that serves our College community. Encompassing Learning Support, Wellbeing, Student Welfare and Therapy Services, we strive to cater for the complex needs of our growing population.

Learning Support underwent a restructure in 2021 with the following support offered: • Senior School – Teacher 4 days a week and a full time support aide • Middle School – Teacher 4 days a week and 2 full time aides • Primary School – a full time Teacher and 2 full time aides.

The remainder of our Teacher aides have now been distributed to support year level teaching staff to promote maximum inclusive teaching practices.

Our Wellbeing Team throughout 2021 consisted of 2.5 Counsellors and 2 Indigenous Liaison Officers, and our registered College Nurse. To address the challenges posed by our external environment, the Wellbeing Team continues to investigate and develop new programs and methods of supporting all students. Wellbeing programs address issues prevalent in our student population with the aim to support and promote social and emotional development to complement personal growth and achievement. The facilitation of social days, popularly known as ‘Days on the Green’ were conducted in 2021 in conjunction with the Year 12 Wellbeing Leaders to integrate and enhance the community connectivity throughout the College campus.

Therapy services continued to flourish in 2021 providing support to the learning needs of students, integrating external Speech and Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Psychology services into our campus and working in collaboration to facilitate positive outcomes.

Rivermount College employs a myriad of skilled and culturally diverse staff across a broad range of fields, ranging from the academic through to the cultural and sporting arenas.

In 2021, Rivermount College employed teachers with the following qualifications:

Qualification Percentage of classroom teachers and school leaders at the school who hold this qualification

Doctorate or higher Masters

Bachelor Degree Diploma Certificate 0

6

92

1

0

Indigenous Staff: In 2021, the College employed 2 Indigenous Staff Members.

The diverse skill base of Rivermount College staff provides the opportunity to draw on expertise across curriculum areas. Specialist employees contribute extensively to the College’s Performing Arts program as a result of their talents and skills as musicians and dramatists. In the areas of Information Technology and Design and Technology, the staff’s curriculum expertise is enhanced by their previous employment in their respective industries. In addition, the College’s sporting program has been enhanced by teachers and coaches with previous and current sporting experience at a range of levels.

STAFF ATTENDANCE AND RETENTION:

The average staff attendance rate for 2021 was 98%. This considers all unplanned absences relating to sick, family and emergency leave of up to five consecutive days.

Number of Staff Number of School Days Total Staff Absences (Days)

Average Staff Attendance Rate (%)

73 192 358 97

In 2021 the staff retention rate was 97%. This is the percentage of teaching staff that was retained by the school in 2021 from the staff employed at the end of 2020.

Number of permanent teaching staff at end of previous year

73 Number of staff retained in the following year

71 Retention Rate (%)

97%

COLLEGE FUNDING:

Funding information for 2021 can be accessed here

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE:

Rivermount College once again partnered with Team Kids (www.teamkids.com.au) in 2021 to provide families with a high quality and affordable Before and After School Care and Vacation Care Program. The service is offered via our Early Learning Centre and operates as follows: • Before School Care 6:00am to 8:25am • After School Care 3:00pm to 6:00pm • Vacation Care 6:00am to 6:00pm As a provider of Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) throughout Australia, TeamKids has an excellent reputation in promoting their objective to excite, engage and entertain children before school, after school and throughout school holidays. Owned and run by teachers, TeamKids partners with schools, sports centres and workplaces to facilitate activities that allow children to explore their world in a safe, engaging environment whilst providing a genuine alternative for working families. All services are managed by teacher qualified staff (or equivalent) with a 1:10 ratio of staff to students.

Average daily attendances during 2021: Before School Care – 28 students After School Care – 36 students Vacation Care – 45 students

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

Rivermount College staff were involved in extensive Professional Development in 2021, much of it online due to the impact of COVID-19. This included teaching and non-teaching staff. Professional Development opportunities were also arranged for staff in conjunction with pupil free days. Staff had the opportunity to attend conferences, training sessions, webinars, workshops and other engaging activities designed to further develop and enhance staff performance and ability. A number of Secondary teaching staff also continued roles within the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority as Confirmers, Endorsers and External Assessment Marker, in support of the new QCE system.

As a requirement of employment, every staff member at Rivermount College is required to participate in First Aid, CPR, Diabetes, Anaphylaxis, Child Protection, Fire and health and safety training.

The expenditure by the school on Professional Development for teaching and non-teaching staff was $29,810. This equates to around $408.00 per full-time teacher equivalent. Professional Development in 2021 was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Where possible, staff professional development was conducted remotely and via online services. All teaching staff received professional development in 2021. Occupational Health and Safety Courses

QCCA Training for Secondary QCE Planning EduLead Conference HEIA State Conference Digital Solutions Workshops Educate Plus Webinars ISQ Courses and workshops BEAQ Conference Digistorm Interactive seminars and training Teaching Religion & Philosophy Senior Mathematics PD All Care Counselling MLTAQ Conference SEAQ Civics and Citizens School Bus Licencing Digital Solutions Contemporary Learning Workshops Aspirant Head Masterclass Child Protection Digital Solutions Seminar ETAQ Seminar AusDance Workshops QCE Planning and Development Spatial Technologies for Senior Geography Copyright and Book Repairs QTAC Insights Program

ISQ Curriculum and Assessment Marzano Research Autism Workshop and Seminar AHISA Conference ETAQ State Conference Get into Neurodiversity Big Ideas Summit Edval Training Enrolments Workshop TASS Ongoing development and training Marketing Mastery Workshop Phoenix Australia Programs

PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT AND SATISFACTION:

Rivermount College is committed to working towards a strong partnership between home and school. This relationship is fundamental to supporting and improving the learning, development and overall wellbeing of students, parents and other key stakeholders in the community. Open and timely communication along with the implementation of consistent standards and expectations is a strategic objective in achieving positive student outcomes and overall parent and caregiver satisfaction. In 2021, the College continued to encourage parents and caregivers to actively become engaged in attending parent/teacher interviews, volunteering in the classroom when allowed under COVID-19 restrictions, including sport coaching and management and regularly checking homework and assessment. Parents had the opportunity to participate in the activities of the Rivermount College Families and Friends Association (F&F). The Association meets on the first Tuesday of every month during term time. In addition to planning and conducting fund raising events, meetings also provide opportunities for parents to ask questions and provide invaluable feedback to the College.

With restrictions placed on campus attendance due to the pandemic, the College successfully implemented the live streaming of major events and provided families with videos and photography to commemorate special occasions.

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS:

The College is committed to providing quality and timely communication to families and in 2021, the College App, Parent Lounge Portal and website were key platforms to engage positively with parents and caregivers. Digital communication has become an integral medium embraced by staff and parents. Parents were able to access essential information electronically through the following media: College App: available for Apple and Android devices; website with access to an events calendar and real time news stories; Email; Parent Lounge Portal; Social Media Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Youtube Communication between teachers, specialist departments and parents is a priority and takes many forms including but not limited to phone conversations, emails and when permitted by enforced restrictions, face-to-face meetings. The College also formally communicates with all families through letters from the Principal which are communicated via digital channels at the start and end of each term. A focused COVID-19 landing page was implemented to provide families with timely and accurate information on restrictions, safe practices and protocols.