Currimundi Special Schl Executive Summary
1. Intrductin 1.1 Backgrund This reprt is a prduct f a review carried ut at Currimundi Special Schl frm 8 t 10 September 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: Educatin regin: Buderim Street, Dicky Beach Nrth Cast The schl pened in: 1984 Year levels: Prep Year t Year 12 Current schl enrlment: 200 Indigenus enrlments: Students with disability enrlments: 9.5 per cent 100 per cent Year principal appinted: 1991 Number f teachers: 42 Nearby schls: Significant cmmunity partnerships: Currimundi State Schl, Talara Primary Cllege Stunned Mullets Swim Club, Technical Aid t the Disabled (TADQ), Chemart, East Cast Apprenticeships, Meals n Wheels, Returned and Services League, Lins Club, Club Kawana, Calundra Bwls Club, Bunnings Calundra, Pacific Haven Bakery Unique schl prgrams: 2
1.3 Review methdlgy The review was cnducted by a team f three 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 three days interviews with staff, students, parents and cmmunity representatives, including: Principal and tw deputy principals 41 teachers 25 teacher-aides Tw Business Services Managers (BSM) 15 students Lcal Head f Special Educatin Services (HOSES) Parents and Citizens Assciatin (P&C) president and five ther parents Lcal representatives frm East Cast Apprenticeships and the Lins Club 1.4 Review team Ray Hack Rsemary Hrn Sue Omar Internal Reviewer, SIU (review chair) External Reviewer Peer Reviewer 3
2. Executive summary 2.1 Key findings The schl has an excellent reputatin in the lcal cmmunity. The schl is well regarded and very visible in the lcal cmmunity. It enjys significant supprt frm lcal charities, businesses and cmmunity members. Parents and families are recgnised as integral members f the schl cmmunity and partners in their children s educatin. There is evidence f psitive relatinships between staff, students and parents. There is a strng cmmitment t the schl and a very caring apprach t meeting the needs f students with disabilities and challenging medical supprt needs. Teachers are willing t share their expertise and knwledge with their clleagues. Evidence indicates there is a strng cmmitment by all staff t supprt each ther and t imprve their persnal teaching capabilities. Teachers appreciate pprtunities t share resurces and infrmatin acrss sectrs. The schl has recently mved t delivering the Australian Curriculum fr all students. Individual Curriculum Plans are in place fr all students and have prmted the use f the Australian Curriculum with all learners. Guidelines fr the curriculum, teaching, assessment and reprting cycle are nt yet dcumented and understd by all staff. The current imprvement agenda is brad and is nt fully understd by all stakehlders. There are many pririties identified in the 2015 Annual Implementatin Plan. There is evidence that teachers wuld benefit frm dcumented expectatins t assist in understanding schl pririties and agreed teaching and learning practices. The leadership team has implemented a new management structure f sectr leaders t assist with the grwth in student ppulatin. While this initiative is appreciated by staff there is uncertainty abut the specific rles and respnsibilities f the sectr leaders and deputy principals. Schl leaders utilise a range f data prvided t them t make decisins abut the perfrmance f the schl. Schl leaders including sectr leaders and the literacy crdinatr are wrking twards supprting classrm teachers t cllect a cnsistent and meaningful range f student perfrmance data. Classrm teachers are mnitring and cllecting a range f data t identify areas f imprvement in student learning and t infrm teaching practices. 4
The schl leadership team fcuses n develping a culture which prmtes independence and success fr all students. The schl uses its Respnsible Behaviur Plan fr Students as the framewrk t prmte a schl-wide, shared respnsibility fr student management and t fster a culture that prmtes learning. Sme staff have articulated the need t have a mre detailed prcess fr supprting student behaviur. The schl has a pedaggical framewrk based n the Currimundi Special Schl Seven Guiding Principles funded n the Prductive Pedaggies framewrk. Schl leaders recgnise there has been a significant increase in new teaching staff appinted t the schl and they need t be trained in specialised teaching practices. 5
2.2 Key imprvement strategies Develp and dcument the rles and respnsibilities f all leadership psitins. Cmmunicate the imprvement agenda t staff and gain cmmitment t this t ensure they have a clear understanding f the strategic directin f the schl. Develp the data literacy f all teachers in rder t refine, interpret and extend the prcesses t gather data frm students, ther teachers and parents. Review and dcument the schl behaviur management framewrk. Review the pedaggical framewrk and cmmunicate expectatins t staff. 6