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Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamurrurr Annual Report 2012

PMB 144 via Winnellie NT 0822 Phone: (08) 8978 2477 Fax: (08) 8978 2300 Email: admin.olshtcs@nt.catholic.edu.au

Vision Statement Live our Catholic Faith through committing ourselves to educational excellence.

Mission Statement At OLSH Thamarrurr Catholic School we live our Catholic faith through our commitments to

develop strong individuals who have the capacity to live full lives valuing their family

traditions whilst thriving in the modern world. We aspire to develop the whole person,

building independence, encouraging people to achieve their full potential, whilst

continually striving for self-worth, integrity and excellence.

School Profile Year Range T-12

Total enrollments 769

Indigenous Students 97.1 %

Non Indigenous Students 2.9 %

Location Very Remote

Student attendance rate 47.8%

Special Needs 4.6%

Enrolment by year level and gender EY T 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOT

F 25 24 22 36 38 35 32 28 11 21 15 35 21 14

M 38 37 34 39 47 30 35 29 23 22 15 26 22 15

Tot 63 61 56 75 85 65 67 57 34 43 30 61 43 19 769

Comment on attendance The attendance rate of 47.8 % is in line with results over the last six years in terms of

percentage. However, when the number of students on the active roll is considered it

was the highest having an attendance rate of 47.8% and an active roll of 570

students, 2012 was a small improvement on 2011 and the highest rate since 2008.

The school year started positively but numbers dropped in the final stages of the

year with a large outbreak of community fighting. More consistent attendance will

lead to improved education outcomes.

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Enrolment and Attendance – Indigenous Summary OLSHTCC 2008 - 2012

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Active % roll

Active % Roll

Active % Roll

Active % Roll

Active % Roll

631 48.3% 486 46.6% 495 42.2% 553 47.1% 570 47.8%

Staff Profile Number FTE

Teachers 34 33

Support staff 57 51 Total 91 84

Staff Information All teachers in the school are registered with the Northern Territory Teacher

Registration Board and hold relevant teacher qualifications. All teachers were

involved in professional development during the year.

Staff Qualifications April 2013

Family Name

Given name/s Qualifications

Baldwin Jalisa Bachelor in Physical and Health Education Prep to 12 Boyd Lisa B.Ed(Primary), Master of Learning Innovation (Early Childhood), M.Ed Bunduck Francella Dip.Tch (Primary) Bunduck Xaverine Dip. Tch (Primary) Cowan John B.Ed Dorward Geraldine B.Ed (Primary) Duxfield Vivienne Dip.Tch, Cert ESL in the Main Stream Fecteau Dominic B. Info.Tech, Grad.Dip Ed.Secondary Glass Regina B.Ed, Dip. Ed prep-12 Hamalainen Saara BA Hayes Elizabeth Diploma of Media communitaction , BA, Post Grad Dip Tch Heagney Belinda B.Ed, B.Tch Hill David Bachelor of Primary Education Hillier Gayelene B.Ed, Grad Cert (Gifted and Talented) Huxley Belinda B.Ed (Primary) Huxley Gary B.Ed ( Early Childhood) Kinthari Ursula Advanced Diploma of Teaching (Primary) Kinthari Scholastica Associate Diploma of Teaching (Aboriginal Schools) Lantjin Dominica Advanced Diploma of Teaching (Primary)

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Lantjin Millie Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (primary) Lawler Peter Diploma of Applied Science in Agriculture, Dip Science (Ag), Dip Tch Lynch Thomas Mansour Laura B.A., B.Tch (Primary), Post Grad Cert Ed (ESOL) Mullumbuk Martina Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (primary) Nemarluk Miriam Associate Diploma of Teaching (Aboriginal Schools) Nganbe Gemma Advanced Diploma of Teaching (Primary) Ngambe Tobias Advanced Diploma of Teaching (Primary)

Noel Deirdre B.Ed, Dip Special Needs Nolan Catherine BA., B.Ed, M.Laws O'Brien Gerald O'Brien Denise B.Ed, Grad Dip Teacher Libranianship Pribil Sandie B. Ed ( Elementary Education ) Robinson Paul B.A, Dip Tech, TTC, Dip Reading Recovery Robinson Peter Dip Tch (Primary), Grad Cert R.E Russell Yolanda B.Ed - Physical Education Shepherd Kerrie B.EdEarly Childhood) Siermans Grant B.Tch., BA Smith Benjamin B.Eng (Civil)(Hons), B.Sc, Grad Dip Ed (Secondary), Grad Cert R.E Spring Matthew B. Tourism Man, Post Grad Cert Primary Teaching Tchinburur Sheila Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (primary) Ward Paul Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (primary) Ward Sister Teresa Wardeiner Emily B.Ed (Primary), Post Graad Cert (Mathematics Leadership) Williams Jackie BA, Dip Tech, CELTA Wilson Christopher B.Ed Young Anna TTC, B.Ed Young John TTC, BA, M.Ed, Post Grad Cert Ed Ld, Dip Reading Recovery, P.hD

Catholic Ethos The school maintained a strong relationship with the Parish of Our Lady of the

Sacred Heart, Wadeye. Regular school Masses and liturgies were held. Assemblies

and meetings were opened with prayers. A comprehensive and well prepared

Religious Education Program is operating throughout the school.

Staff members attended Religious Education Conference and all teachers

participated in six hours of Religious Education professional development.

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Student Outcomes

2012 Naplan Results Year Level Assessment Students above

National Standard

Students at National Standard

Students below National Standard

Three Reading 0 3 32

Writing 0 0 40

Numeracy 1 6 29

Five Reading 0 0 34

Writing 0 0 40

Numeracy 0 0

Seven Reading 0 0 19

Writing 0 0 9

Numeracy 0 1 18

Nine Reading 0 0 10

Writing 0 0 9

Numeracy 0 0 9

The NAPLAN results for 2012 are a cause for concern. While it can be argued that

NAPLAN is a blunt and inappropriate assessment tool for our students in remote

indigenous schools we aim to raise the level of achievement in these tests. It is

appropriate that future Annual Reports contain additional and more relevant

assessment information that demonstrates student achievement and allows the

school and the community to set appropriate targets for the future.

Secondary School Results Six students completed Certificate One in Hospitality: Kitchen Operations

Ten students completed a number of competencies toward Certificate Two in

Conservation and Land Management

Four students completed a number of stage one SACE subjects and are continuing

with stage 2 in 2013.

DaNgmalmin Family Responsibility Centre The DaNgmalmin centre operated at the school working in the area of family

engagement, attendance and cultural education. The Thursday culture session

continued and was further developed.

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National Partnership The school was involved in the Catholic Education Office ICCS schools Accelerated

National Partnership in Accelerated Literacy.

In 2011 the school began a National Partnership titled Life Long Learning. This was

discontinued in 2012 as the people associated with the project left the school. It was

replaced with the Ranger Cadet Program.

High Lights of the school year

HEROC

On June 6 30 members of the Wadeye community travelled with the School’s

cultural leader Tobias Nganbe to witness the signing of Human Rights Commission

(formerly HEROC) claim regarding nearly thirty years of underfunding of the school.

The agreement was signed with Peter Garrett Minister for School Education, Early

Childhood and Youth. Under the settlement the federal government will spend $7.7

million on new programs aimed at improving facilities and school attendance,

assisting those with disabilities and boosting literacy and numeracy.

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Opening of the School Library The Sister Emmanuel Library was officially opened on the 15th of May. Sister

Emmanuel did much to set up and run the first library at the school. It was wonderful

to have Sister attend the opening and speak to current students. The Library was

blessed by Bishop Eugene and the opening was attended by Senator Warren

Snowden and local MP Rob Knight.

Hostel Opening On the 7th of September the Kardu Darrikadu Numida Hostel was opened by Peter

Garrett Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. This was

celebrated with a barbeque, cultural performance and speeches. The hostel is

administered by Aboriginal Hostels Limited. All students from the Hostel will attend

OLSH.

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Growing Our Own (GOO) The Growing Our Own program continued in association with Charles Darwin

University. Three teachers graduated with their Bachelor of Teaching and Learning.

There is one student continuing in the program.

Fifteen assistant teachers undertook the Certificate Three Education Support Course

through Bachelor College.

Buildings and Ground In term four planning began for a new primary classroom block that was included in

the H.E.R.O.C settlement. The building of seven new staff houses was progressing

with a completion date of early 2013. A caged loading bay was added to the kitchen.

Work Place Health and Safety Audit An audit of the implementation of the Work Place and Safety legislation was

undertaken in term three. The report recommended that the school continues to

develop its systems in this area.

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Self -Review A review by the Indigenous leadership team at the end of the year highlighted a

number of points:

There was a desire to increase the amount of sport the school offered.

Concern was expressed that the quality and resources being spent on professional

development of non-local teachers was not being matched in what was provided for

local staff. A desire was expressed for local teachers to attend conferences and visit

schools.

There was also a concern that work of Assistant Teachers was not clear and their

role had been diminished from how they operated ten to twenty years ago.

Summary 2012 was a significant year for OLSH Thamarrurr Catholic College. The settlement

of the H.E.R.O.C claim was a historic moment for both the school and the

community. This settlement will bring more resources into the school and give us the

ability to raise student achievement levels.

The increase of 78 students in the CENSUS was pleasing and will also contribute to

increased resources being available to the school.

Significant community fighting in the latter part of the year had a strong effect on the

welfare on all members of the community and challenged the school in terms of

attendance and stability.

A number of teachers left the school at the end of the year. However, the majority of

these were people who had completed four years at the school and were taking up

the study leave option. This scheme is contributing to more stability in long term

staff.

It is pleasing that three local teachers upgraded their qualifications under the GOO

program. However the school now only has one member of staff in the GOO scheme

and there is a need to recruit and support a new cohort of students.

There was a change of leadership in the primary school with Mr. Max Agnew taking

up another appointment at the start of term three. Lisa Boyd took over the role for the

remainder of the year. The fact that Mr. Agnew had only been in the role for 12

months highlights a lack of stability in the leadership of the Primary School. John

Cowan was appointed to DP Primary position for 2013-2014.

The annual student attendance rate was 46.5% and every effort should be made to

raise attendance this figure in 2012.

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The staff and community remain committed to continuing to develop OLSH

Thamarrurr as a high-quality Catholic college with high standards that meet the

needs and aspirations of the community.

John Young (Ph.D.) Principal (2012)

Michael Avery Director, Catholic Education NT