IMPROVEMENT AGENDA
At Goomeri State
School P-10 our curriculum focuses on attaining a high level of literacy and
numeracy for all our students through a wide range of available
subjects. The benefits of having both primary and secondary staff at the
one campus include the opportunity for specialist teachers to teach in the
lower years, as well as the physical resources, such as the Science Laboratory,
being shared across the school. Our school will continue to implement the
new National Curriculum (ACARA) into our classrooms and is utilising the
Education Queensland Curriculum to the Classroom (C2C) resources to maximise
the educational benefit for our students.
The Goomeri State School P-10 Community, has identified six
key priorities for the school:
1. Literacy & Numeracy
“Reading
Club” is the focus of Goomeri’s literacy improvement agenda. It is based on a
collaborative strategic reading approach and is implemented in three one hour
reading blocks for all students in Prep to year 10. When delivering this
initiative each teacher is supported by another teacher and / or a teacher
aide. The HOC attends at least one “Reading Club” lesson with each class each
week. The “Reading Club” initiative continues to be successful, demonstrated by
improved student results in NAPLAN and PAT-R.
“Torture
Time”, “Mental Maths” and “Speed & Accuracy” are Goomeri’s numeracy
initiatives. Numeracy improvement is being measured through data collected from
these initiatives, NAPLAN (Numeracy) and PAT-M. Analysis of this data indicates
whole school, class and individual student improvement in basic numeracy
skills. This data is collected daily providing short term teacher feedback,
while class / whole school data is collected and analysed each term.
2.
Academic
Aspiration
A focus of Goomeri’s HOC is to continue educating
students, parents and the community with respect to the importance of
education, work ethic and attendance.
The HOD
supported staff re student non-submittal of work / assignments – HOD follows up
with students and parents (when required) to ensure satisfactory completion of
work. This process continues to increase student work completion rates with a
significant reduction in the number of secondary students not being rated each
term due to non-completion of work. The quality of work is also improving.
3.
Engagement
& Behaviour
Goomeri is a
“School Wide Positive Behaviour Support” school. The Student Council identified
suitable semester rewards for the P-3 and 4-10 cohorts. The HPE teacher’s
playground duty centered on the organisation of lunchtime activities; resulting
in continued reductions in lunch incidents.
Each term
the HOC collates a secondary assessment guide and contacts parents to ensure it
has been brought home. “Homework Club” is conducted, one afternoon a week, to
assist students with the completion of work / assignments. Although attendance
at “Homework Club” fluctuates this service is being utilised by enough students
each week to make it a valuable / viable exercise.
Individual
Learning Plans have been developed / updated for all students requiring them.
Students requiring assistance are identified by classroom teachers and are
referred to the “Special Needs Committee”, with supporting data, where
assistance for the student is organised. Flexible teacher aide staffing is used
to provide in class support.
4.
Early
Years
Goomeri’s
“Get Set for Prep” has been running for 3½ years. This program fills a void in
the Goomeri Community as there is no kindergarten or child care. Students are
being prepared for the start of prep socially and basic literacy / numeracy
activities are being conducted. This group is organised through “Playgroup
Queensland” and parents attend.
Goomeri’s
‘Speech Language Program” is a P-3 priority. Teacher aides have been trained
(training ongoing) and work with identified students (Special Needs Committee)
each day to deliver this program
5.
Data
Data is
used by teachers to track student performance and reflect on the effectiveness of
teaching programs. The HOC leads whole school decision making regarding data
collection and analysis at school, class and individual student levels.
6.
Student
Well-Being
TEAM
(Together Everyone Achieves More) is a school based program focusing on
resilience, leadership development, team work and career planning.