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ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE 2008 SCHOOL YEAR
BEROWRA CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Inc in N.S.W.
A.B.N. 58 003 853 174. A ministry of Berowra Baptist Church
“GROW UP INTO CHRIST”
- Principals Report
- BCCS Chairman’s Report
- Report from BCCS Parent & Friends Association
- Teacher Standards
- Professional Learning
- Enrolment Policies and Profile.
- Student Welfare
- Teaching and Learning
- Excursions and Camps
- Leadership
- Respect and Responsibility
- Student Performance – 2008
- Satisfaction Report
- School Determined Improvement Targets for 2009
- Targets determined for 2008 were achieved as follows:
- Summary Financial Information:
Principals Report Δ
By far the greatest achievement as a community during the year was the raising of funds to construct a bridge in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea to enable a people group of 20,000 access to trade and services. Having the privilege of befriending a leader of this tribe in late 2007 and early 2008, the children responded through a walkathon, essay writing and art competition to raise $15000.
The bridge was commissioned in August 2008 with the bridge being a symbolic link between this school and the PNG community, the highland people with the outside world, and people to God generally.
This servant focus allowed expression of the school’s fundamental goals, being the development of personal faith, strong character and determination to serve. The Bible speaks of our need to use our gifts and opportunities for the benefit of others. By tackling this task the children became united in their pursuit and found a practical outworking of their faith.
In mid-year the school core values were reviewed by staff and board. Relationship and stewardship principles and their outworking were identified as key areas to be championed to ensure the heart of the school remained true to its vision of producing children mature in the knowledge of God and self. These values are being written into the school policies as new programs are developed.
With dark clouds brewing on the world economic horizon, the school began a process towards year end to ensure viability and retention of school identity by reviewing class combinations, staffing and community activities.
Throughout the course of the year, strong ties held the community together.
Parent investment in class help, excursions, leadership and planning was at a consistently high mark with good communication and positive progress being made in all areas of school life.
The year finished on a high note with a marvellous display of student work at the local community centre in the form of a whole school presentation.
This bushland school of 120(K-6), regarded as small in comparison with its neighbours, has been a great blessing to the whole community, as attested by many. Its strength of character and stability are highly regarded, as are the children who attend. Greater detail of the school’s activities follow, along with Key policy and practical aspects required by the Education Act 1990. Copies of this report and any relevant school policies can be obtained on request from the school.
Stephen Spies
Principal
June 2009
BCCS Chairman’s Report Δ
During the course of the 2008 school year I was approached to join the board of Berowra Christian Community School. Having family involved in the school and a desire to see Christian education made available to all those who seek it, I accepted. Being nominated to the position of Chair late in the year provided the opportunity to renew my previous experience on a school board. This task has been a great challenge, providing me the opportunity of getting to know a unique Christian community deeply committed in its desire to honour God through the application of Biblical principles. All those in church and school leadership have been supportive and demonstrated integrity of purpose, strength of character and professional discipline. The transition of the board to a governance model has been progressing for some months and it is my desire to see this completed in due course.
I count it a privilege to serve in this capacity and look forward to the challenge of 2009.
Ross Hillyard
Chairman
Report from BCCS Parent & Friends Association Δ
Parents of BCCS valued the close, nurturing environment that they and their children were part of in 2008. The school continued to provide so many opportunities to strengthen the close relationships between parents and staff.
“Parent Help” was strongly supported by parents (and grandparents) as an opportunity to participate in learning activities in a practical way. There were also many sporting carnivals, gala days, excursions and fundraising activities to be an active part of.
A new initiative of the P&F was “Fresh Food on Friday” to replace the hot pies and pizzas on Mondays in term 2+3. A variety of interesting and delicious food options were prepared and served by parents to encourage healthy food choices. Grant money enabled the setting up of a vegetable garden at school. It is hoped foods grown by the children will be used in the salads and wraps provided on Fridays.
Another new initiative of the P&F was to recognize those special people in our school community who give so much, so often, and usually with little acknowledgement. They are the parents, friends and staff who make the school the ' Christian Community’ that it is.
Kim Toyer
President BCCS Parents & Friends Association
Teacher Standards Δ
All staff at Berowra Christian Community School are practising Christians of evangelical persuasion who subscribe to the school’s Statement of Faith. They are committed to teaching from a Christian world-view and are highly dedicated and well trained.
All classroom, part-time and support teachers have teaching qualifications from a higher education Institution within Australia (or as recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills recognition guidelines).
In 2008 there were:
- 5 full-time teachers (including the Principal)
- 6 part-time teachers (total 2.1 FTE)
- 2 were Provisionally Accredited
- 1 received Professional competence
- 9 were existing teachers under the Institute of Teachers criteria
- 10 had Bachelor Degrees plus Dip Ed or equivalent
- 1 had a Diploma of Teaching or equivalent
- 4 had additional diplomas
- 1 had a Masters degree
The retention rate for staff from 2008 to 2009 was complete with all staff retaining work except for Mrs Amanda Barker who left to take up work in another Christian school. Other staffing was adjusted to compensate.
Staff attendance stood at 97%, not including Long Service Leave or Leave Without Pay.
Average teaching experience exceeds a decade, ranging from 3 to over 30 years. Teachers are assisted by part-time specialists in Music, LOTE, G&T and Special Education.
Professional Learning Δ
During 2008 the staff undertook 9 days In-Service together on:
- Child Protection Protocol
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Development of Core Values
- CPR to ensure continuation of Senior First Aid qualification
- Numeracy with AIS consultant
- Sector meetings with CSA Metropolitan Schools
- Interactive Whiteboard Induction
Reports complied with the A-E grades required by DEEWR. Induction procedures were formalised for NSW Institute of Teachers Accreditation for New Scheme Teachers.
Enrolment Policies and Profile. Δ
In 2008 the school continued its pastoral plan to meet the needs of the children by dividing grades to produce classes of even size. Year 1, 2 and 3 were spilt over two classes forming Year 1/2 and Year 2/3. Kindy was a single grade. Year 5 was split to allow even numbers in the Year 4/5 and 5/6 classes.
The majority of children speak English at home, with Chinese, Swedish, and Norwegian also represented. At the census date in 2008 the enrolment stood at 103. The maximum allowable enrolment of 120 remains, with ceilings in principle being 25 in composite classes and 20 in Kindergarten. Student absence throughout 2008 was less than 4%.
School Policy remains the same as last year in stating that:
“Berowra Christian Community School is open to all children whose parents are seeking to give them an education which is consistent with the aims and objectives of the school, provided the school has the resources to meet the child’s particular needs, and subject to the availability of places.
The normal priority for enrolment of students is:
- siblings of children currently enrolled
- children from families actively involved with Berowra Baptist Church
- In order of application and proximity to the school.
The school Board is responsible for setting the enrolment policy and is the final avenue of appeal in all matters relating to it. It is expected that families enrolled in the school will have an active association with a local church. At present, around 15 churches are represented.
Upon application and again upon acceptance of enrolment, parents are required to sign the following Declaration of Support:
- We undertake, by our example and instruction, to encourage our child in the establishment and growth of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We will support the decisions and aims of the school, ensuring our child abides by the conditions and regulations, attending school at all the times required by law.
- We support the school in its aim to foster a spirit of co-operation and encourage the pursuit of excellence in all areas of endeavour, including the active and willing participation of our child in all aspects of school life, including Christian teaching.
- We accept the discipline policy of the school, and the School’s discretion in the event of our child’s failure to comply, in its recommendation for suspension or termination.
- We agree to pay fees promptly by due date, and to contact the School as early as
- possible if we encounter hardships.
- We agree that, since the School has a policy of not collecting an enrolment guarantee upon entry, we will be required to give one term’s notice of termination of enrolment. We are aware that failure to do this will render us liable to payment of that extra term’s fees, on the understanding that this payment helps sustain the school’s viability.”
Student Welfare Δ
The School Handbook contains a raft of policies concerned with the care and protection of children, their educational and welfare boundaries and support mechanisms. Key elements of this document are:
- The Child Protection Policy, which articulates adult responsibility for the care and protection of children from any form of abuse or neglect, especially those matters pertinent to recent legislation and procedural fairness. Principles of policy development and duty of care guidelines are outlined with clarity, along with investigative protocols and procedures for dealing with allegations.
- The Discipline Policy focuses on the development of a safe and caring environment by setting boundaries with rewards and sanctions. Bullying is the subject of a clear definition and detailed best practice, which includes fundamentals of the National Safe Schools Framework. Corporal Punishment is not used in the school, in compliance with the Education Reform Amendment Act.
Teaching and Learning Δ
Berowra Christian Community School follows the NSW Board of Studies requirements and covers the Six Key Learning Areas (KLA’s) of English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), Creative Arts and Personal development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE). Berowra Christian Community School continues to seek ways to encourage children to ‘grow up into Christ.’ This phrase from Ephesians 4:15 guides all our school programs and aims.
To this end Christian Growth and Development is a key part of our PDHPE program and this is applied across the curriculum by
- encouraging daily prayer and class devotion
- conducting assemblies with directed themes according to Scope and Sequence
- learning verses (Term 1 - Phil 4: 4-8 , Term 2 - Eph 6: 14-18, Term 3 - Matt 6: 5-13, Term 4 - Luke 1: 26-33)
- presenting weekly Bible Study lessons in age appropriate ways across the grades
- fund raising for those in need including World Vision, MS Society, Guide Dogs Society of NSW, and the Lumasa bridge project in Papua New Guinea which raised over $12,000. $3,000 was also given to support a local leaders repatriation.
- building relationships with community groups (senior citizens)
- visit 2 local nursing homes to sing Christmas Carols
During the Year other opportunities arose for BCCS students to extend their skills in the PE area which included:
March
- CSSA Zone Swimming at Warringah Aquatic Centre
- CSSA Super 8 Cricket Tournament at Castle Hill
- Aaron O’Brien represented our school at the CSSA state swimming carnival
- A team represented BCCS at the CSSA Cross Country at Eastern Creek
- Every student participated in a soccer clinic run by ‘Edusport’
- All students also took part in the Small Schools Carnival at Brooklyn
- Every student participated in a clinic run by NSW Cricket
- Zone athletics at Narrabeen Sports Academy
- CSSA Metro Cup Soccer & Netball Gala Day at Kellyville
- Emily Nesbitt represented our school at the CSSA State Gymnastics
- Emily Nesbitt and Tiana Hazlewood took part in the CSSA state athletics Sept- Junior and Senior netball took part in the CSSA State Netball Gala Day
- 4 Students (Mitchell Smith, Ben Hendrie, Christopher Bisset & Tyler Wooldridge) took part in the CSSA Tennis Gala Day
In 2008 Creative Arts were highlighted through ‘in house’ performances by the school choir and band. The band also performed at the Berowra Musica – a local concert for the bands of 4 local schools in the Berowra Community Centre in Term 3. This was a wonderful night and the students played with skill and energy. Our BCCS choir also took part in a Choir workshop at Barker College in August and our whole school travelled to St Bernard’s Catholic School for a combined ‘Musica Viva’ performance.
In-school performances by individuals also took place in class and Assemblies. There was also a whole school Book Parade and Open Day in Term 3 which was very well received by a huge and proud audience. Music culminated with the performance of the Christmas Play, an original production at the Berowra Community Centre involving every student on stage. This wonderful musical was also repeated for our Senior Citizens in our school hall.
Visual Arts remains a strength with children successfully taking part in competitions and having a multitude of creative works displayed.
Students received many opportunities to learn about the amazing world that God has created and how humans interact with it in Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE). HSIE themes work on a 3 year cycle.
Upper Primary students studied other Cultures with a focus on China as well as the Olympics. Infants and Lower Primary students learnt about the “Way We Were” and how things have changed through the generations. Later in the year we learnt about celebrations all over the world, learning to value and respect one another.
During the year many learning experiences took place linked to these units. These were used to create integrated learning experiences across different Key Learning Areas.
Excursions and Camps Δ
In Semester One Years 4, 5 and 6 travelled to Homebush for the ‘On the blocks to Beijing – Telstra Australian Swimming Championships’ to see the Olympic swimming team race for selection. As part of Year 4, 5 and 6’s study of China the children enjoyed a trip into the city to see China town and the Chinese Gardens. Years 5 and 6 also travelled to CARES (Community And Road Education Scheme) to learn about road safety and this again proved incredibly practical and worthwhile.
In June, a small team of Year 6 students travelled to Homebush for the World Vision Global Leadership conference.
Semester Two was highlighted by the 3 day overnight excursion to Camp Somerset by Years 4, 5 and 6 at the end of Term 3. This was the first time an Outdoor Education Camp of this nature has been undertaken by the school and it was a memorable and educational experience for all the students. Boys and girls canoed, swam, bushwalked, put up tents, abseiled, did an obstacle course – and survived! Kindergarten visited the Sydney Aquarium in September while Years 1, 2 and 3 took apart in the Sydney Airport Tarmac Tour in October. In November Year 3 undertook a beach and rock platform study at Long Reef.
The whole school benefited from a visit by a Hornsby Council Representative to talk about waste and composting during Term 4.
During the last week of Term 4, Years 2-6 again delighted the residents of two local Nursing homes with some Christmas Carols.
Leadership Δ
As students move through Berowra Christian Community School they are given many responsibilities and opportunities to show leadership. Each Year 6 student has the opportunity to be a Prefect for a semester and there are many responsibilities that accompany this position. In 2008 these involved leading groups, school errands, fundraising, peer support, public speaking and prayer. The partner scheme enables the school’s enables the school’s secure environment to be strengthened and this is particularly important because of the support given to Kindergarten students when they start school. A small group of Year 6 students took part in the World Vision Global Leadership Conference. They were informed of a need in a third world country and what they could do to help. They then put a plan in place to act on this need. Students from BCCS were very effective in implementing this plan. Led by Years 5 and 6, BCCS were(for the 4th year in a row) the highest fundraisers, per capita, of all Primary Schools in Australia in the World Vision Forty Hour Famine.
Students also led many celebrations during the year including Thanksgiving Night, Senior Citizens Days, Open Day, Anzac and Remembrance Day Services. Daily leadership responsibilities and Assembly duties continue to build confidence in children. They had opportunities to set an example and be accountable for their actions, resolved conflict peacefully and learned to contribute to the welfare of society.
Respect and Responsibility Δ
Respect and Responsibility initiatives were addressed in many ways in the school. Our Partner and Prefect programmes have continued and these have given older students the opportunity to lead and serve others throughout the year. Assembly and class themes continued to address consideration for others and the need for appropriate respect for authorities in our community. All these are taught with a Biblical foundation. As part of the NSSF framework we have an Anti-Bullying Policy. This is a pro-active initiative that runs during the year. Assembly and class talks are given, communication sent home. In 2008 the annual Bullying Survey continued to show a reduction in the amounts of bullying being reported by students. This is very encouraging as this is the 4th year in a row, since surveys began, that this has fallen.
Student Performance – 2008 Δ
Each year in the past, BCCS has taken part in the Literacy and Numeracy National Assessment (LANNA), which was the equivalent of the Basic Skills testing done in public schools. Last year for the first time these two assessments were replaced with one national assessment to be completed by all schools, both public and independent, for years 3, 5 and 7. This new assessment is called National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). In 2008 the students at BCCS from years 3 and 5 did quite well. Our average scores as a school were above the state average scores for both Literacy and Numeracy, in both years 3 and 5. The students are ranked across 7 Bands for year 3 and 8 Bands for year 5, for Literacy and Numeracy, with Band 1 being the lowest scores. Our year 3’s fell within Bands 3 to 6 for Literacy, with three gaining Band 6. In Numeracy they ranged from Band 2 to 6, again with three receiving Band 6. Our year 5’s fell within Bands 5 to 7 for Literacy, with two gaining Band 7. In Numeracy they ranged from Band 4 to 8, with one student in Band 8. Accordingly all students achieved minimum standards for NAPLAN in 2008.
Literacy and Numeracy remain the focus for all teachers and these assessments help pinpoint any students that may be struggling and any specific areas that may need to be addressed across the years. As NAPLAN continues to be administered, we will see the trends of our school across years as well as in terms of national comparisons. We have some children who need additional support, which is given through the Special Education teacher working in conjunction with the classroom teacher to design an individualised program that targets a student’s specific area of need.
Additional testing is carried out by BCCS on all students K-6, which provides comprehensive information about individual student performance. They are tested twice a year with standardised tests. The focus is on Literacy (particularly reading) for K-2, and Literacy and Numeracy for students 3-6. In 2008 90% of students improved their scores in November testing compared to May testing, particularly the K-2 reading tests.
In 2008 the students from Years 3-6 were entered into the NSW University International Competitions and Assessments for Schools in both English and Mathematics. Years 5 and 6 were also entered into the NSW University Science Competition. In all three competitions we gained scores around the average for the state – quite an achievement since all students in the grade are entered, compared to the majority of schools who enter only interested selected groups. In Science our results included 1 High Distinction and 2 Distinctions; in Maths our results included 1 High Distinctions and 2 Distinctions; and in English they included 1 High Distinction and 3 Distinctions. We also received 8, 14 and 11 Credits respectively. On top of this, nine of our Year 6 students were entered into the Mathematics Challenge Competition. Five of these students received Distinctions, two gaining full marks for all 4 problems.
Satisfaction Report Δ
Satisfaction of the school community was demonstrated in:
- High participation rates in school parent help
- Strong involvement by parents in prayer, fund raising, management initiatives etc
- Confidence declared in staff by numerous written testimonies
- Happy, joyful constructive playground tone noted by visitors
- Acknowledgement and approval noted in parent surveys following reporting cycles
- Children eager to return to class after holidays
- Praise poured on teachers at year ends by parents and children
- Volume of ex-students and parents returning to work experience or to offer support post school years
- Negligible staff turnover and strong social interaction
- Strong church and school leadership relationships.
School Determined Improvement Targets for 2009 Δ
In 2009 the school aims to:
- Standardise presentation of KLA and other policy documents to ensure clarity of distinctives and appropriate related outcomes.
- Complete KLA Scope and Sequence plans.
- Utilise BER funding to upgrade facilities in Library, Hall, Special Education & Playground.
- Build on community service projects begun in 2008
Targets determined for 2008 were achieved as follows: Δ
Core values were enunciated under heading of:
- Relationship
- Stewardship
- Worship
Seating and shade objectives were deferred to 2009 once BER funding was tabled. This allowed a better co-ordinated approach.
Staffing trial of job share proved very successful with the class and school community impressed at the seamless transition. With GFC looming at years end the trial assisted in a whole school approach to the consequences of financial downturn.
The school awaits the promised arrival of the new Science syllabus before phasing in commences.
Summary Financial Information: Δ
During 2008, grants were received for recurrent income on a per capita basis and also for LOTE (French), Literacy and Numeracy, ESL and Intervention programs based on demonstrated programs and need.
Individual Policies and Statement of Faith are available on request at the school.
Cnr. King Street & Berowra Waters Road
Berowra NSW 2081
P.O. Box 425, Berowra Heights NSW 2082
Tel: 02 9456 2444
Fax: 02 9456 5141
Email: enquiries@bccs.nsw.edu.au
Website: www.bccs.nsw.edu.au