Urangan State High Schl Executive Summary
1. Intrductin 1.1 Backgrund This reprt is a prduct f a review carried ut at Urangan SHS frm 22 t 25 June, 2015. It prvides an evaluatin f the schl s perfrmance against the nine dmains f the Natinal Schl Imprvement Tl. It als recmmends imprvement strategies fr the schl t cnsider in cnsultatin with its reginal ffice and schl cmmunity. The review and reprt were cmpleted by a review team frm the Schl Imprvement Unit (SIU). Fr mre infrmatin abut the SIU and the new reviews fr Queensland state schls please visit the Department f Educatin and Training (DET) website. 1.2 Schl cntext Lcatin: Rbert Street, Urangan 4655 Educatin regin: Nrth Cast The schl pened in: 1992 Year levels: Year 7 t Year 12 Current schl enrlment: 1690 Indigenus enrlments: Students with disability enrlments: Index f Cmmunity Sci- Educatinal Advantage (ICSEA) value: 9 per cent 5 per cent 960 Year principal appinted: 2015 Number f teachers: 128 Nearby schls: Significant cmmunity partnerships: Unique schl prgrams: Sandy Strait SS, Pialba SS, Kawungan SS, Urangan SS, Trquay SS, Star f the Sea, Yarrilee SS, Hervey Bay SHS, Fraser Cast Anglican Cllege, St James Lutheran Cllege, Christian Cllege Fraser Cast Opprtunities, University f Suthern Queensland, University f Queensland Rural Medical Schl, Fraser Cast Educatin Alliance, East Cast Technical and Further Educatin, Carinity Educatin-Glendyne, Fraser Cast Training Emplyment Supprt Service Academic and Cultural Excellence prgram, Gifted and Talented prgram 2
1.3 Review methdlgy The review was cnducted by a team f fur reviewers. The review cnsisted f: a pre-review audit f the schl s perfrmance data and ther schl infrmatin cnsultatin with the schl s Assistant Reginal Directr a schl visit f fur days interviews with staff, students, parents and cmmunity representatives, including: Principal, fur Deputy Principals Tw Heads f Year, 12 Heads f Department (HOD) Head f Special Educatin Services (HOSES) Five Student Crdinatrs 50 classrm teachers, six teacher aides Tw Business Services Managers Tw Guidance Officers, Chaplain Yuth Supprt Crdinatr, Cmmunity Educatin Cunsellr Schl-based Plice Officer Administratin assistant 51 students Facilities fficer, IT technician, tw scientific peratins fficers Fur schl cleaners Tuckshp cnvenr Parents and Citizens (P&C) assciatin President and a Schl Cuncil parent representative Ten parents, including prspective parents Tw principals f lcal schls A representative frm University f Suthern Queensland Mayr, Fraser Cast Reginal Cuncil 3
1.4 Review team Valerie Hadgelias Russell Pllck Ken Rgers Darren Ck Internal reviewer, SIU (review chair) Internal reviewer, SIU External reviewer Peer reviewer 4
2. Executive summary 2.1 Key findings Students, staff, parents and cmmunity members speak well f the schl. Urangan SHS enjys a strng reputatin in the lcal cmmunity. The quality curriculum, supprtive relatinships between teachers and students and psitive tne cntribute t the schl s cntinuing grwth and reputatin fr meeting the needs f its diverse clientele. The schl has an existing cmmitment t a brad range f imprvement strategies. The principal and ther schl leaders are cmmitted t imprving learning utcmes fr all students. Schl leaders identify the schl s explicit imprvement agenda as fcusing n every student succeeding thrugh develping the schl s critical curriculum and develping prfessinal pedaggical practices t imprve student engagement. Hwever, as yet, a strategic apprach t quality assurance has nt been fully realised. This has resulted in incnsistent levels f implementatin acrss the schl and variable strategies in evidence. One f the schl s key pririties is a cmmitment t quality teaching practice. The schl has made a significant investment in develping the Essential Skills f Classrm Management (ESCM) cmprising f an in-schl trainer and huse managers trained as classrm prfilers. Staff find this prgram beneficial fr reflecting n their classrm practice and imprving in-class behaviur. The schl leadership team clearly articulate their belief that reliable data n student utcmes is crucial t the schl s imprvement agenda. The schl has develped a whle schl data plan which utlines clear expectatins fr the regular cllectin, analysis and use f data by members f the leadership team and all teachers. The schl is beginning t develp a culture f data analysis. The schl has yet t cllate and dcument an verarching whle schl plan fr curriculum delivery. There is an emerging understanding f the ntin f a schl-wide guaranteed curriculum, develped t unclutter and simplify the curriculum. This cre understanding prvides a strng fundatin fr the schl s effrts t build a curriculum that supprts student success in the essential curriculum. Hwever, as yet, there is n verarching dcument that utlines the vertical prgressin f learning. Schl leaders are explicit abut their desire t see effective teaching ccurring thrughut the schl. Urangan State High Schl is using The Art and Science f Teaching (AST) t imprve teacher engagement and student learning in classrms. Schl leaders 5
have supprted the AST framewrk implementatin ver a number f years with key persnnel being trained in the framewrk and nging prfessinal develpment delivered t all teachers. Hwever, the framewrk is nt yet cnsistently implemented acrss the schl. The schl acts t maintain a learning envirnment that is safe and respectful. Recent changes t the behaviur management apprach t incrprate the huse structure are generally viewed favurably by staff. Hwever, sme staff expressed cncern abut bth a lack f cnsistency by teachers in enfrcing expectatins and a perceived incnsistency in applying cnsequences fr misbehaviur at Tier 2 and Tier 3 level. The schl has implemented a range f strategies t develp a sense f belnging and cnnectin fr students within a large schl setting. Psitive acknwledgement f effrt and behaviur is well embedded and a strng huse structure is in place. It is intended that Huse Managers/Huse Crdinatrs will get t knw the students in their care and will develp supprtive relatinships with bth the chrt and individual students and their parents. 6
2.2 Key imprvement strategies Refine the current explicit imprvement agenda t enable a sharp, narrw and sustained fcus. Ensure implementatin plans reflect targets, timelines, accuntabilities and evaluatin prcesses. Implement quality assurance prcesses that include walk-thrughs and peer bservatins t ensure cnsistent practice and prgress in embedding the pedaggical framewrk. Prvide prfessinal develpment t staff t build skills in data literacy and teachers repertire f differentiatin strategies. Build n the current huse management system t refine the schl-wide behaviur management apprach in rder t ensure cnsistency f practice and address breaktime behaviurs. Develp and publish a mre detailed curriculum plan. Include a strnger fcus n the mapping f crss-curricular skills. Ensure alignment within year levels as well as vertical alignment f the curriculum Year 7 t Year 12. 7