NSW Department of Education & Training 2681

2009 Annual School Report Murringo Public School

NSW Public Schools – Leading the way

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Our school at a glance

The historic Upper Division classroom

At Murringo Public School, our philosophy is 'Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day'. We offer our students an education for life in a family atmosphere. Each child is supported by dedicated and enthusiastic staff and an active wider community.

Our school is vibrant and caring with proud traditions spanning 150 years, yet we have embraced the future with access to state of the art technology and educational programs which prepare our students for the global challenges ahead.

Murringo Public School enjoys an excellent working relationship with the dedicated Parents and Citizens Association as well as the Community Association, Fire Brigade and Anvil Creative Gallery. Many parents and citizens are active volunteers.

Sequential planned and evaluated instruction is maintained at all times in all Key Learning Areas. Students participate in national and state competitions, including public speaking and spelling. Intensive literacy and numeracy programs are provided for all students with special learning needs.

We offer musical instruction from specialist staff and combine with other schools for Marimba and Choir performances. An annual presentation and performance evening is a celebration for the entire community.

We are part of the Learning To Lead sports program for Year 5 and 6 students. There are opportunities to compete in inter-school sporting events throughout the year and many of our students represent our school at a District level.

Murringo Public School is a proud member of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and promotes environmentally sustainable practices for all staff and students.

Principal's message I have been privileged to relieve as principal this year whilst Mr Jaemie Bennett was working in another capacity. I have learnt a lot whilst in this position and have enjoyed the company and support of students, staff, parents and community members along the way. The task of any school is to prepare our students for the future, both academically and socially, and the successes and experiences that are detailed in this report are a testament to that pursuit. I hope that you enjoy reading this account of 2010. I would like to thank all who have supported our school this year. Our P&C, grandparents and community members are an active and integral part of our school community and our students benefit from their help and expertise. The dedicated staff at our school have worked tirelessly to provide a rich education for our students. All staff members participate in considerable professional development and program interesting and relevant teaching programs for all student abilities. The school continues to place major emphasis on literacy and numeracy programs. We also provide extensive creative arts experiences, ample sporting opportunities and an active environmental program. Murringo Public School works closely with the Young Small Schools Learning Community in order to extend opportunities for all students and foster positive peer relationships with other small schools.

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.

Kaelene Neville (Relieving Principal)

Mrs Neville and Gina Galvin (SAM)

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Student Representative’s Message 2009 was a great year for us in our role as captains. We always tried our best to help people and make sure that they were okay. It is a special role to be school captain because you can guide people to do good things. We were very proud to be chosen for this role and enjoyed being school captains this year. Young Leaders is an event that many NSW School Captains attend. It was a lot of fun and we learnt a lot about being a school leader. Together with other school leaders from around Young, we listened to a lot of famous people and TV presenters tell us about how to be the best that we could be. The best parts of this experience included the motel, the conference and spending time with the leaders at other schools. We did many other things this year that were great fun. Our camp in Sydney taught us a lot about the early days of the colony and we saw many of the sights of Sydney. One of the other things that we really enjoyed was the Kitchen Garden Program. Our vegie garden is looking great and we have been working hard to plant lots of vegetables to cook in the kitchen. Everybody likes cooking each week and we are eating food that we wouldn’t have tried before.

This year our school won the marching competition at the Phillips Shield athletics carnival. We worked really hard on this, with Marty Hewson, who used to be in the Air Force, coaching us. Nick learnt how to use his voice so that everybody could hear him and we learnt about following directions. Being School Captain was great and we hope that next year’s School Captains have fun and that they can see what we have seen this year, and that they learn responsibility in this role.

Nick Galvin and Justin Taylor (2009 Captains)

P&C message

2009 P&C Executive

2009 has been a very exciting year. We have been pleased to see the wider community using our new Community Room and coming along to help with reading, cooking, craft and gardening. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program has been a success again this year, with the garden booming and many interesting recipes being cooked. We are looking forward to our new kitchen and dining room being built before next year and working with other Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden schools. We have been involved in many fundraisers this year, including the Fun Family Tennis Evenings. These have been very successful in terms of money raised as well as good times had by all. Much of our fundraising is raised through catering for functions and we are very lucky to have so many helpers to make these a success. Funds that we have raised this year have gone towards helping our children have a well-rounded curriculum and extending the opportunities that are available enrich their education. Thank you to all of the familiar faces who turn up to every meeting, working bee and function. Parents, grandparents and community members are very important to the running of a school and we want everyone to feel free to join in. New faces are always welcome and in always needed. The P&C are looking forward to working closely with staff and students to ensure 2010 is as successful as this year and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our school in style. 2010 will be a very big year for our current and past students and we can’t wait to see what it holds for all of us.

Kellie Grant (P&C President)

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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

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Male 18 17 15 17 12 Female 17 16 12 9 9

Student attendance profile

Management of non-attendance

Attendance rates have improved since 2008 and they are above state and regional levels. The school works well with the home school liaison officer and school newsletters have included advice and tips for school attendance. We celebrated attendance month in September and reward and acknowledge students with excellent attendance at school assemblies.

Students receiving awards on assembly

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 2009 class size audit conducted on Wednesday 18 March 2009.

Roll Class

Year Total per Year

Total in Class

3-6 3 6 13 3-6 4 1 13 3-6 5 5 13 3-6 6 1 13 K-2 1 1 11 K-2 2 5 11 K-2 K 5 11

Students in the 3-6 Class

Students in the K-2 Class

Structure of classes

The students are organised into two classes each covering two educational stages for infants and primary. This allows learning support to be allocated to students in both classes with an emphasis on the early years.

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Staff Information

Staff Members

Staff at Murringo Public School for 2009 consisted of a full time Teaching Principal, a full time Infants teacher, a RFF/Library teacher 2 days per week, a SLSO 2 days per week, a School Administrative Manager for 3.5 days per week, a School Administrative Officer for 1.5 days per week, a General Assistant 1 day per week and a School Cleaner.

Staff Establishment

Position Number

Principal 1.00 Classroom Teachers 1.00 Teacher Librarian 0.084 Primary Part- Time 0.168 Primary Teacher Relief RFF 0.084 School Administrative & Support Staff (SASS)

0.696

General Assistant 0.220 Total 3.252

Teacher Qualifications

All teaching staff meet the professional requirements for teaching in a NSW public school.

Qualifications % of staff Degree or Diploma 100%

Financial summary This summary covers funds for operating costs and does not involve expenditure areas such as permanent salaries, building and major maintenance.

Voluntary contributions are set and paid to the school P&C. The funds are used to purchase annual book prizes and student accident insurance.

A full copy of the school's 2009 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.

Year 5/6 Students at their graduation dinner

Date of f inancial summary: 30/11/2009

Income $

Balance brought forward 51 740.26Global funds 55 976.67Tied funds 119 921.40School & community sources 2 166.92Interest 3 126.05Trust receipts 1 634.64Canteen 0.00Total income 234 565.94

ExpenditureTeaching & learning Key learning areas 17 666.71 Excursions 2 663.57 Extracurricular dissections 1 571.84Library 1 393.77Training & development 3 648.95Tied funds 60 758.07Casual relief teachers 301.71Administration & office 26 655.43School-operated canteen 0.00Utilities 7 648.83Maintenance 8 018.11Trust accounts 1 763.14Capital programs 0.00Total expenditure 132 090.13Balance carried forward 102 475.81

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School performance 2009 We are very proud of our students’ achievements in 2009 and some of those endeavours are recorded here. For more information please visit our school website where you can view the 2009 Yearbook with a full account of the year.

English

We worked with a children’s author, Mark Austin, watching a performance and honing our own writing skills in the genre of performance poetry.

Students in the 3-6 class participated in the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition, with Molly and Lochie representing our school at the local finals.

We were part of the National Simultaneous Storytime celebrations, participating in activities related to the Jackie French book – Pete The Sheep.

All students participated in the school finals of the Premier’s Spelling Bee, with three students represented the school in the local finals in Wagga Wagga, all of them performing credibly.

After studying a unit of work on narrative writing, all students contributed to a school anthology of short stories, which was published and distributed to all families, with a copy in the school library.

Students participated in Book Week with a parade of favourite story characters and recitations from favourite books. Students also browsed through a selection of books in the Book Fair.

Abbie dressed as her favourite story character

Mathematics

This year we built an outdoor chess and chequers set to complement our working mathematically program. The chess set has proven to be very popular, with many students learning the basics of the game this year and transferring these skills to the small chess board inside the classroom and in their own homes.

Boys playing with the chess set

Human Society & Its Environment

Students in the 3-6 class studied European cultures during Term 2, including lessons in conversational German. This study culminated in a European party, where students presented their projects, sang songs in German and sampled typical European foods. Year 5 and 6 were given the opportunity to attend a 5 day camp in Sydney this year, along with the other Small Schools in Young. They visited such sites as Taronga Zoo, the Powerhouse Museum, Maritime Museum and Sydney Airport. They also had time to have fun at the movies and ten-pin bowling. We were lucky enough to be paid a visit by 3 exchange students who were living in Murringo for a period of time. The students were from the United States, Switzerland and Canada. They told us all about their own countries and their exchange student program.

Our three international visitors

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Creative & Practical Arts Upper Division completed a unit of work on drawing and completed their experience with a trip to Annabel Wallace’s Art Gallery in Murringo, where they toured the exhibitions and participated in a drawing workshop with the curator. This was the second year that our school has had a community partnership with the ladies at the Anvil Creative Workshop and Gallery. Our Year 5 and 6 students attend the Craft Shop to learn about leatherwork, candle making and other traditional crafts.

The marimba group took part in a number of events during Education Week. The group performed with other Young Small Schools students at the Wagga Wagga Marketplace and at the Cherry Jam concert in Young as well as on our own assemblies. We undertook a major art project this year – the Archibald Experience. Together with the Young Small Schools Learning Community, we participated in a video-conference tour of the Archibald Exhibition and then did some portraiture work at school. Three of our students were then selected to participate in a talented artists workshop at a local art gallery. Their works were part of a digital art exhibition. To round out the experience, we visited the Cowra Regional Art Gallery to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize up close and

discuss them with the curator. A tutor from the Young Regional School of Music has been coming to our school every Monday to give our students lessons in singing, percussion and drums.

K-2 students with their music tutor Once again our students represented us well at the annual Young Show. We entered photography, baskets, dioramas, handwriting, story writing and artworks. We had great success in all categories and were the second most successful exhibitor of the show.

Sport Murringo Public School participated in the annual Small Schools Swimming Carnival. Nick Galvin represented us in the 50m events and went on to the District Carnival to compete in backstroke. Swimming lessons were held at Boorowa Pool in Term 4 with all students making huge improvements in their swimming. This year we have been part of the Premier’s Sporting Challenge and the Learning to Lead Program. We have purchased a lot of new sports equipment this year with the addition of table tennis tables, totem tennis, basketball and kick wall and mini tennis sets. In March this year our students participated in the Golden Circle Fun Run, with students, staff and families participating.

One of the obstacles in the Fun Run Murringo Public School participated in the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival with a netball and a touch football team. Both teams performed well and put in a lot of effort before the event and on the day.

We had a visit from Cricket NSW this year, who ran the whole school through some cricket training drills and small games. Each child received a great showbag from Cricket NSW Our tennis team competed at Young Tennis Club as part of the Young Small Schools Competition. Each of the players made great improvements during their training sessions and played admirably against a range of other teams.

Murringo Public School participates in three athletics carnivals throughout the year. We had many successful performances with Oliver, Declan and Jack chosen to go to the District Carnival. Jack Grant was awarded the Junior Boys Champion and Jack Stephenson won the Junior Boys Cross Country. Murringo also won the March Past at the Phillips Shield Carnival.

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Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

At the beginning of 2009, Murringo Public School was chosen in the first round of federal grants to become a member of this program. The aim of the program is to provide pleasurable food education to primary aged students.

All students participate in weekly garden lessons where they tend to our organic vegetable and fruit garden, care for the school chickens and learn about sustainable gardening practices.

There is also a session in the kitchen each week where students work in small groups with community volunteers to prepare the food that they have harvested from their own garden. The entire school, including all staff and volunteers, then share the meal and each others’ company.

Students preparing tabbouli for lunch

This program is tied to all of our key learning areas and concepts such as measurement and space figure heavily in garden lessons. During cooking lessons students are challenged to improve their vocabulary when describing foods and flavours. Science and environmental lessons are also conducted in the garden or kitchen. Students also hold a stall at the local Farmers Markets once a term, where they prepare the food, design signs and labels, greet customers, serve food and handle all of the money.

Manning the stall at the Farmers Market

Personal Development & Health During Term 4, Year 5 and 6 students attended the annual Personal Development Day at Wombat Public School. This day is run by Community Health nurses and provides our older students with some important information about their bodies, their relationships and what the years ahead hold for them. Brett Stanford, a young man with a brain injury after a skateboard accident,visited us this year. He gave a presentation to the students emphasizing the importance of wearing a helmet when you are riding a bike, motorbike, scooter or horse. Murringo Public School works with the Young Small Schools Learning Community and Life Education to fund a visit from Healthy Harold each year.

Our school took part in an educational initiative, jointly funded by Dairy Australia and Osteoperosis Australia to highlight the importance of calcium in our diet. We cooked a variety of dairy foods in our kitchen lessons, entered a photographic competition.

Our Healthy Bones Skeleton

Students from Kindergarten to Year 3 attended a performance at the S&C Club in Young—teaching children all about water safety. This important performance has been endorsed by Lawrie Lawrence, the champion of pool safety in this country. Our two school captains attended the Young Leaders Conference in Sydney early this year. This is an important event to help develop leadership skills and inspire senior students with interesting presenters. This year Nick and Justin heard presentations from Mark Beretta (Sunrise Morning Show), Bridie Carter (McLeod’s Daughters), Natalie Cook (Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold Medallist) and James Roy (author).

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Environmental Programs Upper Division have been working with Landcare this year, taking part in the Waterwatch program. This has involved the students analyzing water samples from Murringo Creek to assess the salinity, turbidity, pH and the presence of water bugs. They have then investigated the bugs using the new digital microscope that we were given by Landcare. To celebrate the culmination of this program, Upper Division travelled to Lake Cowal Conservation Centre with students from Maimuru and Monteagle. We were visited this year by Mr Keith Collin from the REEC. Mr Collin spent the day teaching us some important lessons about energy and water. All of the activities were hands on and fun. Students learnt how to use the sun’s energy to burn patterns into pieces of bark and which colours make up sunlight and experimented with solar panels and small electrical circuits. Our students and parents took to the streets of Murringo in March this year to participate in the Schools Clean Up Australia Day project. The students were split into groups and cleaned up along the main road from the hall to the school, around both of the churches and the village hall, as well as around our own playground.

Participating in Clean Up Australia Day

We had a great day when we celebrated National Tree Day. We planted a range of native shrubs and trees around the school grounds. Before planting the trees, we watched a video about proper planting techniques and how to care for newly planted trees. We also took the opportunity to plant 13 fruit trees to form the beginning of our school orchard. We had many volunteers on the day and the students were keen to get their hands dirty.

Citizenship Murringo Public School has always been involved in many fundraising activities. Our students, staff and parents are very generous, even in these difficult financial times, and it is important for our children to know the importance of volunteering, fundraising and caring for those in need.

National Bandana Day Cancer is an illness that affects most of us in some way. Students bought many colourful bandanas again this year to support teenagers living with cancer. Crazy Hair Day This day supports people living with Cystic Fibrosis. Our students got right behind the initiative, with some wild and wacky hairstyles spotted around the playground. Sponsor Children This year Upper Division have been writing letters to two sponsor children that we are helping through World Vision Child Sponsorship. Bosco is from Kenya and Andrea is from Columbia and both children are 11 years old. Our students have been learning a little about their countries and ways of life and enjoyed reading their letters and cards throughout the year. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea The students cooked a wonderful array of treats for the community to share and we raised important funds to help with this very worthwhile cause. Loud Shirt Day Loud Shirt Day raises funds to support the Shepard Centre who raise money to fund research into child and infant deafness. This is a great day, where staff and students get to wear their most outrageous shirts for this important cause. Harmony Day This year we celebrated Harmony Day by writing letters of support to the victims of the Victorian Bushfires.

40 Hour Famine Many students this year participated in the 40 Hour Famine, raising money for World Vision, a charity that supports people suffering starvation around the world. We managed to raise a lot of money for this charity and learnt a lot about world hunger in the process.

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Academic Results

Small schools or small student cohorts

The reporting of information must be consistent with privacy and personal information policies. It is recommended that the determination of appropriate reporting strategies for small schools or small student cohorts is made following consultation between the Principal and the School Education Director (SED).

The professional judgements of both the Principal and the SED are valued as they are applied to the unique nature of the school and its community. Summary statistics or graphical representation of student performance must not be used for cohorts of less than 10 students in the course or subject.

Where there are fewer than 10 students, schools will report in the narrative form and ensure that due consideration is given to privacy and personal information policies.

Progress in literacy

Murringo Public School has worked very hard throughout 2009 to improve literacy outcomes for its students. Our major focus was on the area of writing and we were pleased with the progress that students have made in this area towards the end of the year.

Parent reading programs provide opportunities for students to have one to one attention and support. Substantial financial resources and teaching time were dedicated to supporting students in their literacy in 2009 and staff attended many professional development activities in this area.

The school will continue to highlight and support teaching/learning programs, the home-reading program and maintain adequate resources to meet learning needs.

Progress in numeracy

Murringo Public School has committed much time and energy to improving the numeracy outcomes for the students during 2009. Staff have worked collaboratively to ensure that all students’ needs are being met.

Significant additional teacher time was provided in both classrooms to support students in their numeracy understandings. We have also invested heavily in mathematics resources and will continue to make this a focus area for 2010.

Minimum standards

The Commonwealth Government sets minimum standards for reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy for years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

The performance of the students in our school in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy is compared to these minimum standards. The percentages of our students achieving at or above these standards are reported below.

Percentage of Year 3 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2009

Reading 83 Writing 67 Spelling 100 Punctuation and grammar 83 Numeracy 100

Percentage of Year 5 students in our school achieving at or above the minimum standard in 2009

Reading 67 Writing 67 Spelling 83 Punctuation and grammar 83 Numeracy 67

Lochie and Jack working on their narratives

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Significant programs and initiatives

Aboriginal education

There are no Indigenous students currently enrolled in the school. However, school plans, programs and practices integrate strategies that progress the goals of the Aboriginal Education Policy. All children study Aboriginal culture in human society and its environment, creative and practical arts as well as in English.

Multicultural education

The school strongly promotes attitudes of racial and cultural respect and tolerance through curriculum perspectives and personal development on values. Whilst there were no students from non English speaking background (NESB) enrolled at Maimuru Public School programs dealing with Australia’s multiculturalism are a focus in human society and its environment.

Respect and responsibility

Throughout 2009 the student peer support and leadership programs have continued to be implemented We have developed procedures in relation to values education, which include a positive playground policy that acknowledges students who demonstrate behaviour in line with the school and Department of Education and Training core values and an anti bullying program.

Nick and Jack participating in our buddy program

Other programs

The Young Small School Learning Community was established in 2009 with the support of a Country Area Program District Initiative. Michael King, from Quality Learning Australia led principals, teachers and community members through a process to establish a shared vision, values and beliefs and develop a system map to inform direction for the group.

K-2 students learning about sun safety

Progress on 2009 targets Staff at Murringo Public School have worked very hard to meet the targets that we set for 2009. Whilst we provide many interesting and diverse activities for our students, our main focus remains on the targets that are listed below.

Target 1

60% of students achieving stage outcomes in Writing

Our achievements include:

• Writing action plan developed and implemented from analysis of national assessment results and work samples.

• Writing samples show evidence of developing confidence in the use of paragraphs, character development and descriptive language.

• Student success in local writing competitions after developing their narrative writing techniques.

Target 2

60% of students achieving stage outcomes in Number

Our achievements include:

• Numeracy action plan developed and implemented from analysis of national assessment results and work samples.

• Best start data used to inform individual needs in infants class.

• Intensive Mathematics program developed and implemented to target instruction at student immediate numeracy needs.

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Key evaluations It is a requirement for all NSW public schools to conduct at least two annual evaluations – one related to educational and management practice and the other related to curriculum. In 2009 our school carried out evaluations of Leadership, English and Assessment and Reporting.

Educational and management practice

Leadership

Background

The review was conducted using a teacher, parent and student survey about Leadership. Each family was issued with a survey on Leadership at Murringo Public School. 82% of parent surveys were returned.

Findings and conclusions

The survey on Leadership indicated that most parents and students felt that the staff at our school provided effective leadership in educational management and school management.

Students and parents indicated that they believed the staff at the school took responsibility for the learning of all students and that they consulted parents and students about future directions for the school.

There was an indication that staff could provide more information to parents about how to help their children at home, in order to improve their educational outcomes.

Future directions

The school will provide more parent and carer information sessions about supporting students’ learning at home. Newsletters will include information to support learning at home and parent teacher interviews will contain a similar focus.

Curriculum

English

Background

Each family, student and teacher was issued a survey about the teaching of English at Murringo Public School. 90% of parent surveys were returned.

Findings and conclusions

All parents’ surveys indicated that they valued English as one of the most important subjects that their child will ever study. All surveys indicated that parents wanted the school to place a major focus on English.

80% of parents felt well informed on their child’s progress in English and those that required more information referred to issues such as home reading and public speaking.

80% of students felt that English was an important curriculum area, while 63% reported that they enjoyed their English lessons.

Future directions

As a result of this evaluation we have increased the opportunities for public speaking in our English program and are revising the home reading system.

Quality teaching principles are being investigated to ensure that all students are engaged in and enjoying their English lessons and new technologies are being investigated to increase student engagement.

Other evaluations

Assessment and Reporting

Background

Each family and teacher were issued with a survey about the school’s Assessment and Reporting procedures. 90% of parent surveys were returned.

Findings and Conclusions

All parent surveys indicated that they were happy with the current Assessment and Reporting procedures. Parent interviews twice a year is still supported and parents are happy with the timing of these interviews and of the reports.

Parents were also happy with the report format and found them easy to understand and appreciated the opportunity to discuss them with teachers at interviews.

Staff surveys indicated that the current format/program for reports is hard to manage and were interested in pursuing a different method for reporting on student achievement.

Future Directions

We will investigate alternative reporting formats, whilst keeping the content similar as parents are quite happy. Interviews and report timing will remain the same in 2010.

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Homework

Background

Each family, student and teacher was issued with a survey about the use of Homework at Murringo Public School. 70% of parent surveys were returned.

Findings and Conclusions

There was a mixed response to this survey, with 60% of parents indicating that they value homework as an integral part of their child’s education. 40% of the respondents, however, indicated that they did not insist on homework being completed by their child.

70% of students indicated that they did not enjoy doing homework although 60% did recognise that it was an important part of their education.

Future Directions

Items will be placed in the newsletter highlighting the importance of homework and homework practices will be modified for each family.

Parent, student & teacher satisfaction

In 2009 the school sought the opinions of parents, students and teachers about the school.

Their responses are presented below.

In 2009 the school sought the opinions of parents, students and teachers about the school. Their responses are presented below.

Parents agreed that Murringo Public School was very well connected to its community and welcoming to parent enquiries and involvement.

Parents, teachers and students indicated that there were supportive welfare programs in place with an emphasis on shared responsibility.

Well trained and competent teachers provided lessons modified to students learning needs, with a continued emphasis on literacy and numeracy.

Staff and some parents commented on a need to raise expectations of students in their work habits and their general behaviour. This will be a major focus for the school in 2010.

Isabelle learning how to operate the new laptops

Professional learning Professional learning activities were offered to all teaching and non teaching staff throughout 2009 in the form of school staff development days, staff meetings, external courses and combined conferences.

Staff development days which were held during 2009 covered mandatory training in the departmental code of conduct, child protection, occupational health and safety (OH&S), asthma friendly schools training, cardio pulmonary resuscitation and emergency care updates. Staff also worked collaboratively on programming techniques, integration of IWB’s in the classroom and the use of video-conferencing facilities.

Teachers completed training in the use of multiple intelligences and various learning tools; the use of Jolly Phonics in the classroom, worked with Michael King from Quality Learning Australia on establishing the Young Small Schools Learning Community; conducted an environmental audit in conjunction with Sustainable Schools NSW; attended local learning forums in mathematics, consistent teacher judgement, preparing for departmental interviews and undertook further interactive whiteboard training. The principal attended the mandatory regional conference and the Primary Principals Conference.

All staff members, after attending a course, prepared an inservice for other other staff members and delivered this at the next staff meeting. Sharing professional development in this manner allowed all staff to benefit from the many development activities that were available.

Murringo’s school administration manager attended a course about incorporating technology, a communication and schools promotion course which was conducted at our school and attended the school administration conference.

Learning about pottery at the local art gallery

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School development 2009 – 2011

Our school has developed the following targets for 2010.

Targets for 2010

Target 1

70% of students achieve stage based outcomes in Writing

Strategies to achieve this target include:

• Analysing NAPLAN and Best Start data, as well as working with the SLST to inform individual student learning needs.

• Staff will participate in professional learning to increase Intellectual Quality in all writing lessons and will source strategies to inspire unmotivated students and raise expectations.

• The Kitchen Garden will be incorporated into writing lessons to enhance significance and engagement.

Our success will be measured by:

• A demonstrated improvement in Writing in national testing and work samples marked against a national standard.

• Student engagement in Writing lessons, with all students taking pride in their work and achievements.

Target 2

70% of students achieve stage based outcomes in Number

Strategies to achieve this target include:

• Analysing NAPLAN and Best Start data, as well as working with the SLST to inform individual student learning needs.

• Staff continuing to develop Consistent Teacher Judgement with the Young Small Schools Learning Community and during staff meetings. Student work samples will be analysed at each staff meeting to ensure that outcomes are being met.

• The Kitchen Garden will be incorporated into writing lessons to enhance significance and engagement.

Our success will be measured by:

• A demonstrated improvement in Number in national testing and work samples marked against a national standard.

• Teachers providing feedback using consistent teacher judgement.

About this report

In preparing this report, the self-evaluation committee has gathered information from evaluations conducted during the year and analysed other information about the school's practices and student learning outcomes. The self-evaluation committee and school planning committee have determined targets for the school's future development.

Kaelene Neville (Relieving Principal)

Kersti Caldwell (Classroom Teacher)

Gina Galvin (School Adminstration Manager)

Annette Parkman (School RFF/Librarian)

Kellie Grant (P&C President)

School contact information Murringo Public School

91 Boorowa St Murringo NSW 2586

Ph: 6384 6351

Fax: 6384 6322

Email: murringo-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Web: www.murringo-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

School Code: 2681

Parents can find out more information about Annual School Reports, how to interpret information in the reports and have the opportunity to provide feedback about these reports at:

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/asr

A family atmosphere for our children