2010 Annual School Report
Canowindra Public School
NSW Public Schools – Leading the way
Messages
Principal’s message
Canowindra Public School is located in a small, rural town on the Central Western slopes of NSW, situated between the larger centres of Cowra and Orange. The school was established in 1891 and now accommodates 170 students from the town and surrounding district. Our school motto is ‘Striving for Success’.
Canowindra Public School places great significance on creating an atmosphere enabling students to enjoy learning in a safe, inclusive environment. We aim to provide a vibrant and responsive public education system that produces literate, numerate, well-educated citizens with the capability and confidence to make a positive contribution to our society. The importance of literacy and numeracy is recognised and accentuated throughout our classes. Our school mission is to provide opportunities for the academic, social, cultural, technological and physical development of our students.
The school implements leadership programs and has an active SRC who are encouraged to be involved in decision making. A strong Peer Support Program provides leadership opportunities for all Year 6 students and the Better Buddies Program provides mentoring for Kindergarten students. An innovative Kinderbounce Program, operated in Terms 3 and 4, provides positive, early educational experiences for those children who have already turned five. We are part of the Positive Behaviours for Learning Program and this assists us to maintain a productive and positive environment for all members of our school community. The NSW Department of Education and Training Core Values of being respectful, responsible and safe are the basis of all activities in which we are involved.
The school fulfils an important role in the wider community and is involved in CWA Public Speaking and Country of Study Competitions, as well as RSL ANZAC and Remembrance Services. Parental and community involvement in all areas of school life is encouraged.
The school is supported by the Priority Schools Funding Program and Low SES National Partnership Funding. In recent years individual students have gained some outstanding academic and sporting achievements. Cultural programs in music, choir, band and dance are part of our regular activities. Japanese is offered as a Language Other Than English to our Stage 3 classes. Information Communication Technology resources have been introduced including interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, iPods, a computer laboratory and a video conferencing centre.
I certify that the information in this report is the result of a rigorous school self-evaluation process and is a balanced and genuine account of the school’s achievements and areas for development.
Mr Eric Toole
P & C message
In 2010 the Canowindra Public School P&C met monthly on Tuesday evenings during school terms to discuss school issues and to co-ordinate fundraising events. The major project for the year has been landscaping of the Level One playground. Prior to 2009 Level One playground was all bitumen which was cracked, unsafe and a hot environment for the children to play on. The P and C funded a landscape plan to be drawn up to incorporate more garden beds, quiet areas and improved structures, and an area of rubber resurfacing. In October 2009, the Department of Education and Training funded the removal of the old bitumen and laying of most of the new concrete paths. The P and C is currently doing all the landscaping including mounds, mulching, planting, irrigation, extra concreting and artwork. This has been done by working bees where the whole school community has been invited to participate. At the end of the year most of the project was completed, with stage 2 to be done by contractors when enough money is raised.
P & C activities throughout 2010 included:
· BBQ at the school fete
· Easter raffle
· Mothers Day and Fathers Day stalls
· Subsidy of student bus trips
· Landscaping of Level 1 (sourcing and supplying all materials and labour)
· P & C Award at Presentation Day
· Plant postcards project
· Athletics Carnival Canteen
· Baby photograph competition
· Kids disco Term 3 in the New Hall
· Bunning’s BBQ fundraiser.
The major goal of 2011 will be the completion of the landscaping and the ongoing promotion of our school in the wider community.
Student representatives’ message
SRC Report
The SRC of CPS is represented by 21 students. These representatives have been elected by their classes. Captains and prefects are also members of the SRC. The SRC has taken an active role in decision-making and fund-raising for the school.
Students met on average three times a term to bring suggestions forward from their classes and other members of the school. Some of the SRC’s contributions have included the running of a successful mufti day to raise money for Stewart House. The student body also presented an idea to the SRC to raise money for the Pakistan Flood victims and the SRC ran a very successful cake stall.
In Term 4 the annual handball competition was held with over 100 students competing in 3 divisions. The Grand Final was held in the new hall with Haydon Cummings and Dalton Knight winning the K-2 division. The 3/4 winners were Will Wright and Austin Pengilly, and the 5/6 winners were Lachlan Balcombe and Mitchell Stanley. The SRC is satisfied with the way the school is currently run.
Max Wensley, Becky Thornberry, school captains.
School context
Student information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all students must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies.
Student enrolment profile
· The trend over four years (2007-2010) shows enrolments have dropped from 181 to 173. Males have increased from 95 to 98 and females have decreased from 86 to 75. More males than females have been enrolled in 2010 and 2011.
· Falling numbers are due to an ageing town population, drought conditions and increased technology in the farming sector, causing movement away from small rural townships.
Student attendance profile
Student attendance
· The trend over four years (2006-2009) has improved slightly from 93.1% to 93.7% (0.6).
· These rates are above Region (89.9) and State (92.1).
· The Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) is involved in a small number of severe cases of frequent absences.
· The school’s attendance policy is effective in the identification and management of individual cases.
· As at the end of Term 3, 2010 attendance rates have remained consistent with previous years.
Management of non-attendance
Class teachers mark the role at the beginning of each day and send a report to the office to be recorded. This includes late students. Parents are expected to provide a reason for absence as soon as possible. If a suitable reason is not received then a reminder is sent home.
If a child’s poor attendance for any reason is causing concern, parents are informed. A Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) based in Orange has access to our computer attendance records and can recommend action be taken.
Class sizes
In March 2003 the Government announced its commitment to publish primary class sizes in annual school reports in order to provide parents with as much local information as possible.
The following table shows our class sizes as reported at the 2010 class size audit conducted on Wednesday 17 March 2010.
Roll Class / Year / Total per Year / Total in ClassKINDERGARTEN / K / 20 / 20
KINDER / YEAR 1 / K / 8 / 22
KINDER / YEAR 1 / 1 / 14 / 22
YEAR 1/YEAR 2 / 1 / 8 / 23
YEAR 1/YEAR 2 / 2 / 15 / 23
YEAR 2/YEAR 3 / 2 / 8 / 21
YEAR 2/YEAR 3 / 3 / 13 / 21
YEAR 3/YEAR 4 / 3 / 7 / 25
YEAR 3/YEAR 4 / 4 / 18 / 25
YEAR 5/YEAR 6 / 5 / 24 / 26
YEAR 5/YEAR 6 / 6 / 2 / 26
YEAR 6 / 6 / 29 / 29
Structure of classes
Students are placed in classes with other students of similar age who are working at the same stage and have comparable work habits. Having students in straight classes is no longer seen as a priority but is done if it suits the needs of the school and students at a given time.
Staff information
It is a requirement that the reporting of information for all staff must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies.
· The executive team is comprised of a non teaching Principal and 2 teaching Assistant Principals. There are an additional 5 classroom teachers and 5 support staff. The staff is experienced (71% teaching > 10 years) and 50% are currently in, or have held, executive/relieving executive positions.
· Staff mobility trends over the last few years are steadily increasing, due mainly to staff reaching retirement age.
Staff establishment
Position / NumberPrincipal / 1
Assistant Principal(s) / 2
Head Teachers / 0
Classroom Teachers / 5
Teacher of Emotional Disabilities / 0
Teacher of Mild Intellectual Disabilities / 0
Teacher of Reading Recovery / 0.3
Support Teacher Learning Assistance / 0.2
Teacher Librarian / 0.3
Counsellor / 0.2
School Administrative & Support Staff / 5
Total / 14
The National Education Agreement requires schools to report on indigenous composition of their workforce.
The school workforce has no indigenous composition.
Staff retention
No new permanent teachers began at CPS at the start of 2010. Two additional teachers were employed at the end of 2009 for the 2010 year through the National Partnerships initiative. It appears that staffing throughout 2011 will remain stable although some staff members are taking maternity leave and will be replaced on a temporary basis until they return.
Teacher qualifications
All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in NSW public schools.
Qualifications / % of staffDegree or Diploma / 100%
A full copy of the school’s 2010 financial statement is tabled at the annual general meetings of the School Council and/or the parent body. Further details concerning the statement can be obtained by contacting the school.
School performance 2010
Arts
· This year we have been fortunate to have Mrs Marianne Wright take on the school band. Mrs Wright comes with a vast knowledge of many instruments and has been teaching privately in Cowra for some time. Approximately 37 children participated and were divided into a senior and junior band. Both bands performed at our Presentation Day Ceremony.
· Our school benefited from being added to the Beecroft School Band Western Region Tour. The band, ranging from Years 3-6, visited on 21st October and kept us all entertained with their wonderful playing. It was a boost for our school band to hear this established band play with their many years of experience.
· Unfortunately our annual concert had to be postponed due to delays with the building of the school hall. Our alternative venue, the Canowindra Services Club, suffered a fire and we were unable to transfer the concert there. It is planned that we hold a whole school concert in 2011.
· The choir was lead by Mrs Sophie Jones and met each week during lunchtime. Approximately 15 students participated and concluded the year by performing on Presentation Day.
· Our whole school Peer Support activity was a trip to Orange to see a live performance of Wombat Stew. This was a wonderful opportunity for the children as many students had never seen a live theatre performance before.
Sport
In 2010 teams were entered in various knockouts, gala days and other events. Weekly sports included directed lessons in swimming, golf, tennis, lawn bowls, athletics, softcrosse, basketball, hockey and tee-ball. Development days were held for a number of sports including golf, rugby league, AFL and cricket. Lunchtime netball and handball competitions were also held. We entered teams in the PSSA competition for cricket, soccer, rugby league and hockey.
· In rugby league our team represented us in the regional semi finals. Matthew Fazzari and Nathan Whatman were selected to represent Western Region at the state championships.
· Sam Willson represented Western Region at the State Athletics Championships in shot-put. Hayden Cummings represented Western Region in the 100m.
· A number of students represented Cowra District as individuals and in teams.
· The girls’ and boys’ AFL teams made it to the Regional Gala Day at Bathurst.
Other
Selected students entered in rigorous international academic competitions run by the University of NSW. Gaining a credit puts students in the top 30% of competitors, a distinction in the top 5% and a high distinction in the top 1%.
· In mathematics, four credits were awarded. Cooper Watson was awarded a distinction and Zac Giger a high distinction.
· In English, six credits were awarded with Caleb Randall, Amelia Holmes and William Wright receiving distinctions.
· In computer skills, three credits were awarded with Cooper Watson and William Wright receiving distinctions and Hannah Johnson receiving a high distinction.
· In science, two credits were awarded with Cooper Watson, William Wright and Zac Giger receiving distinctions.
· In spelling, two credits were awarded with Chanse McLean receiving a distinction and Cooper Watson and Hannah Johnson receiving high distinctions.
· In Japanese our students were awarded eight credits.
Students participated in a range of other activities:
· An in class public speaking competition was held, with winners participating in a whole school public speaking competition.
· Students in Year 5 participated in the Sydney Morning Herald Creative Writing Competition with Amelia Holmes’ story being entered into the competition.
· Senior students wrote information reports about Scotland for the CWA national project competition. Year 3 student, Emerson Baratto was a regional finalist.
· Excursions were held for all students throughout the year.
· Students ran a school based Anzac Service as well as participating in the town Anzac and Remembrance Day Services.