Al Zahra CollegeAnnual

Rep

ort

2006

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 fi nancial 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 unin-terrupted 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 in-ternational 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 fi tness 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 com-mittee 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, con-tinued 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 identifi ed 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 excur-sions 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, fi re 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 teach-ers 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 expecta-tions. 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 MokacharChairman

Academic achievement

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 sig-nifi cant improvements for Al Zahra College.

School performance in statewide tests and examinations

BST results - percentages in top 3 skill bands in 2005 and 2006

Year 3 (skill bands

1-5)

Year 5 (skill bands

1-6)

Test

Percentage of students

achieving top 3 skill

bands

Percentage of students

achieving top 3 skill

bands

Basic Skills Test (BST) 2005 2006 Gain 2005 2006 Gain

Aspects of Literacy 79% 84% 6% 87% 100% 13% Aspects of Numeracy 68% 73% 5% 87% 96% 9%

Year 3 basic skills test results

Year 5 basic skills test results

Teaching staff

Teacher standards

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.

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 pre-dominately Arabic speaking backgrounds and a number of students begin their schooling with limited English language experience. In ad-dition, the school enrols a number of students with special needs.

Category Number of Teachers

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

10

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

2

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

2

Staff development

The school executive participated in leadership seminars on sub-jects such as excelling at managing and supervising people, fi nd-ing humour in leadership, making measurement matter and child protection investigation, as well as other courses.All the teaching staff participated in the professional develop-ment 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 briefi ng - 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

1

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

School policies

Enrolment policy

Al Zahra College is a comprehensive co-educational K-6 school providing an education underpinned by religious values and op-erating 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 state-ment and interview responses regarding their ability and willing-ness 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 emotion- al development of students;• provides student welfare policies and programmes that devel- op a sense of self-worth and foster personal development.

To ensure that the College’s aims for providing for a student’s wel-fare are implemented, the following policies were in place during 2006:

Child protection policy

The College policy encompasses:

• Defi nitions and concepts• Legislative requirements• Reporting and investigating ‘reportable conduct’• Investigation procedure• Documentation

A copy of the policy is available for viewing from the school adminis-tration offi ce 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 offi ce 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 offi ce 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 offi ce 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 offi ce 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 delegat-ed 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 modifi cation 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 modifi cation 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 offi ce• 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 offi ce 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 griev-ances 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 offi ce• Staff andbook• Policies page of school website

This policy did not change during 2006.

Area Priorities Achievements

Improve literacy and numeracy in all years

• 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

timetablesIncrease learning in Science & Technology

• Personal development programme for Year 6.

• Science day held and excursion to Powerhouse Museum took place

• Key Reference Teacher assigned

• 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

Academic

Enhance computer usage

• 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

AchievementsAchievement of priorities for 2006

w

Sport Improve fi tness levels of students

• Daily dedicated fi tness 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

Welfare Target National Values Framework areas

• Improvement made to the Value syllabus* Conducted a school review

Improve Student Behaviour

• Updated House system of penalties and rewards

• A review of the discipline policy conducted and changes made to the policy

• Discipline committee formed

Improve interschool relations

• 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

School development

Proceed with 20-year school development plan

• Purchase of 3 titles adjacent to the school 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.

Achievement of priorities for 2006 continued

Financial report

BGA

27%

State Grants

18%

Commonwealth

Recurrent Grants

33%

Fees & Private

Income

22%

Income

Expenditure

Salaries,

allowances & related

expenditure,

$1,110,094.00

Non Salary

Expenses,

$410,663.00

Capital Expenditure,

$1,109,708.00