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Download the School Context Statement or read online below. Click Here to Download. (Microsoft Word Document) |
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SCHOOL CONTEXT STATEMENT Updated: 25/3/08School number: 0376School name: Renmark Primary School1. General informationPart ASchool name : RENMARK PRIMARY SCHOOL School No. : 0376 Courier : RENMARK Principal : Mrs Denise Rigby-Meth Postal Address : 58 Murtho Street, Renmark SA 5341 Location Address : 58 Murtho Street, Renmark SA 5341 District : Riverland Distance from GPO : 250 kms Phone No. : 08 85865737 CPC attached : NO Fax No. : 08 85864020
February FTE Enrolment 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Primary Special, N.A.P. Ungraded etc. 8.0 5.0 8.0 6.0 8.0
Year 3 65.0 43.0 54.0 56.0 52.0 Year 4 52.0 57.0 49.0 55.0 65.0 Year 5 61.0 48.0 66.0 55.0 54.0 Year 6 66.0 62.0 55.0 67.0 56.0 Year 7 66.0 59.0 68.0 60.0 70.0
TOTAL 318.0 274.0 300 299 305
School Card percentage 48% 50% 50% 50% NESB Enrolment 42 57 62 65 Aboriginal Enrolment 25 23 19 21
Part B· Deputy Principal’s name, if applicable : Lyn Bretag · School website address :www.renmarkr7.sa.edu.au · School e-mail address :info@renmarkr7.sa.edu.au · Staffing numbers :Leadership – Principal, Deputy, 0.5 School Counsellor Co-ordinator Curriculum Development – Accelerated Literacy, Numeracy, ICT Teacher Librarian 11 classes Support personnel - ESL , AET, Special Education, New Arrivals PRT First Language Maintenance programs in Ngarrindjeri, Turkish, Dari and Punjabi Special Class – years 3-7 · OSHC :YES Phone 08 8586 4481. This centre is run by the Governing Council and provides before and after school care as well as vacation care programmes. · Enrolment trends :Stable We operate under a Local School Enrolment practice for all Renmark Primary Schools. · Special arrangements :Shared site with Renmark Jumior Primary School · Year of opening :1888 · Public transport access :NO
2. Students (and their welfare)· General characteristics :Renmark Primary School is a Category 2 school and currently has 11 classes. A “No hat no play “policy operates all year. A school assembly hosted by the SRC is held fortnightly. · (Pastoral) care programs : Individual and group counselling from the Principal, Deputy, School Counsellor and Christian Pastoral Support Worker.
Our school works under the “Circle of Courage” philosophy which looks at the whole student in terms of “Belonging”, “Mastery”, “Independence” & “Generosity. The Circle of Courage is a strength-based approach to working with students. The four directions of the medicine wheel are representative of four universal human needs.
Belonging- The
universal longing for human bonds is cultivated by relationships of trust so
the child (and everyone) can say, “I am important to someone.”
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT The management of student behaviour is based upon the “Schools Learning Behaviours Policy”. The focus is on the 5C’s – Courtesy, Care, Cooperation, Communication & Consideration. Posters depicting what this means are in every room of the school. Key points of this policy include:
· Student government : Student Representative Council (SRC) meet weekly and are involved in decision making, fundraising to provide equipment for students as well as organising student events such as positive play programmes and discos. Class Meetings support SRC.
· Special programmes : LAP, Student magazine, Greek Dance Group, Choir, Junior and Senior Jump Rope Teams, Transition programmes year 2 to 3, and year 7 to 8, ESL, LOTE-Greek, First Language Maintenance programmes exists to support the Aboriginal languages of Ngarrindjeri, Turkish and Punjabi.
3. Key School Policies· Site Learning Plan. The following areas have been identified for 2007-2010. Staff and Governing Council are still working on the key components of each area.
1. Literacy & Numeracy, ICT 3. Staff Welfare
4. Curriculum· Subject offerings : Students engage in the eight areas of study as outlined in the South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability framework, and these are integrated across the curriculum with the focus being on the Essential Learnings. :Children and Learning are central to the teaching practice. The socio cultural make up of the class and the backgrounds of all children are known and understood. :Curriculum is being developed which focuses on establishing classroom environments which are conducive to learning. Staff acknowledge the complexity of Renmark School and are developing curriculum which is contextual. Staff often use team teaching approaches, peer support and groupings of students across year levels to address learning needs. Year level hub groups plan and share work together. · Special needs : Children with special needs are supported through the curriculum. Class teachers are responsible for determining the programme for these students. · Assessment procedures and reporting : A wide variety of teacher selected assessment procedures are used and reporting to parents is through portfolios, summative reports and interviews. LaN Tests are part of the assessment and reporting procedures. · Other :Modern Greek language is taught as the Languages Other Than English. An English as a Second Language teacher works with teachers and Non-English Speaking Backgrounds students. An Aboriginal Education Worker works with staff and Aboriginal students. Mother tongue maintenance programs are held in Ngarrindjeri language, Turkish, Dari and Punjabi.
· Joint programmes :Many policies are developed R-7 across the two sites. Eg Learning Behaviours, Drug Strategy, Healthy Eating. 5. Sporting Activities: Students participate in an annual district athletics day and a local cluster swimming carnival. Swimming lessons for all students years 3-5 occur annually, whereas the year 6 /7 students participate in aquatics in the odd years and swimming in even years. Fitness and sporting activities is a feature of classroom programs. Sports Day is held annually and involves extensive organisation by senior students. Students are selected in a variety of SAPSASA teams.
6. Other Co-Curricular Activities· General : An annual sports day that involves extensive organisation by senior students. :Instrumental music is offered to primary students from the Secondary school campus : Camps and excursions provide students with the opportunity to participate in new experiences and develop their social skills. :We have two performances a year paid for by the school, so that all students have the opportunity to experience the arts in a variety of forms.
· Special : The school is a member of the Renmark schools School Watch committee. : An Out of School Hours Care group operates within the Junior Primary School facilities. : The school actively supports, and sends representatives to, the District Council’s Youth committees.
7. Staff (and their welfare)· Staff profile : Full Time Equivalent. There was one new staff member appointed in 2008. Most staff is well established in the school and district. The school employs School Services Officers above entitlement to support teaching and learning programs. An Aboriginal Education Worker, School Counsellor, Languages Other Than English teacher, and Groundsperson are shared with the Renmark Junior Primary School. · Leadership structure : The Primary School leadership team consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal, School Counsellor and Coordinator. :A joint leadership team exists where the Renmark Primary School and Renmark Junior Primary School leadership teams are responsible for whole school change and development. :Staff are members of key school committees: Assessment and Reporting, Finance, Fundraising, Healthy Eating, National Safe Schools Framework, Sports and Information and Communication Technology. Decisions are made by these groups according to the decision making policy.
· Staff support systems : Staff works collaboratively as a whole and within their teams. Staff liaise directly with their line manager or any member of the Leadership Team when needing support. · Performance Management : Performance management is aligned with DECS policy. All staff has a line manager with whom they negotiate a performance development plan. Focus is placed on performance development in relation to the priorities of the site plan and individual staff development. Meetings are formal at least twice a year, as well informal meetings and individually arranged meetings on a needs basis. Staff has shown a strong motivation and commitment to their learning through engagement in attendance at training and development activities and participation in site based research projects.
· Staff utilisation policies : Staff deployment is managed through PAC, Leadership input and consultations with staff. NIT is negotiated with class teachers at the beginning of the year according to school needs and specialised skills of the teacher. The Coordinator supports the implementation of Accelerated Literacy, Special Education tier 2 salary supports the Special Class and SSO programmes across the school. Mother Tongue salary supports HPI instructors deliver the Turkish, Dari and Punjabi languages programme while the Deputy & AEW supports the Ngarrindgeri programme. SSO’s are employed to support IT, support in classrooms and special programmes.
· Access to special staff : Disabilities Services—a guidance officer, speech pathology and disability support are provided from the District Office. An Interagency Student Behaviour Management (ISBM) service provides behavioural support and liaises with interagency staff (eg Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Family & Youth Services).
8. Incentives, support and award conditions for Staff· Complexity placement points :1.0 · Isolation placement points :4.0 · Shorter terms :NO · Travelling time :3 hours drive from Adelaide · Housing assistance : The Office of Government Employee Housing provides subsidised housing within the community · Cooling for school buildings :All buildings have heating and air conditioning. · Cash in lieu of removal allowance :Available after 7 years service in a country school. · Additional increment allowance :NO · Designated schools benefits :NO · Aboriginal/Anangu schools :NO · Medical and dental treatment expenses : See Non Metropolitan Award · Locality allowances :NO · Relocation assistance :YES,removal costs 9. School Facilities· Buildings and grounds : Renmark Primary School is located on the same site as Renmark Junior Primary School, and many school facilities are shared between the two schools. The schools are situated in the central town area of Renmark and located close to Renmark High School, Renmark Preschool, Chaffey Theatre and Technical and Further Education. The school consists of a main building, (classrooms, Administration area, staffroom, and storage areas), a DEMAC set of classrooms and a two classroom unit. The canteen, a classroom (currently used by Out of School Hours Care), Resource Centre and oval are shared with Renmark Junior Primary School. A contracted bus service carries students to school from outlying areas (ie, more than 5kms from school). There is a Dental Clinic on site.
Ramps are in place for disabled students and staff.
· Cooling : All buildings have heating and airconditioning. · Specialist facilities : 2 Computer rooms, interactive whiteboard room, in work areas students have access to scanner, digital cameras and digital video camera, email and Internet. There is also a Utility room, Aboriginal Education area, art room, music/drama room, large outdoor shade structure and Library. · Student facilities :Sporting equipment is available for borrowing at recess and lunchtimes from the Sports shed. Thie year students monitor this area. : Toilet and drink facilities are available in all units as well as refrigerated drinking taps in the school grounds.
· Staff facilities : A comprehensive collection of teacher resources is located in the Library. Staff has access to their own personal laptop. Computers are available in the Library, staffroom and teaching areas with Internet and email access available. There is an internal phone system between buildings. A large staffroom with kitchen facilities is available.
· Access for students and staff with disabilities : There are ramps and handrails to all main buildings. The Primary Special Class borrows equipment from SERU.
· Access to bus transport :YES for students who live 5kms or more from the school. DECS has contracted a local bus service tp provide the transport. · Other :Renmark Paringa Childcare and Pre-school facility is located across the road from the school. 10. School Operations· Decision making structures : Is shared between staff, Governing Council, and the Student Representative Council. Staff is involved in all decisions that affects them, either directly or through representatives on committees. PAC is actively involved in decisions that relate to Human Resource issues. Major whole staff decisions are made at staff meetings and hub/team groups make decisions that directly affect them. Sub committees make recommendations to Governing Council for ratification.
· Regular publications : These include daily staff BLURB notes, weekly newsletters R-7, class newsletters and staff and parent information packs for new staff and families. An annual School Magazine reflects highlights of the year and articles are submitted to the local Murray Pioneer newspaper.
· Other communication : Home visits; telephone; meetings; diaries or communication books; Governing Council which meet weeks 3 and 8 of each term; Parent Group, class newsletters. All families are encouraged to approach the relevant staff to discuss issues and concerns.
· School financial position : The school is in a sound financial position with the major commitments for 2008 being related directly to the Site Learning Plan and facilities. The fundraising committee supplements the school’s income with a variety of activities throughout the year. Unpaid school fees are an issue. Our fees are kept to a minimum and reflect our community’s financial position.
· Special funding : A Literacy and Numeracy grant, Disadvantaged and Rural and Isolated index provide extra financial assistance. Early Years Literacy and Mother Tongue Language Support grant also support the school’s programs.
11. Local Community· General characteristics o Renmark is the largest of the Riverland towns, and includes Paringa, 4kms away, across the River Murray. The following is a brief overview of some of the features of the District:: o Covers an area of 921 square kilometres o Has a population of 9,836 as at the June 2001 Census. o A major wine grape production area o Extensive areas of stone fruit, citrus, olives and nuts o Export and domestic market packing and processing facilities o Cereal crops and wool production o Angove's Wines producers of famous “St Agnes” Brandy o “Olivewood”, home of the Chaffey Brothers – A National Trust Property o Home of the regional arts facility the Chaffey Theatre (with seating for up to 500 persons) o Home port of “PS Industry” a wood fired paddle steamer o The McCormick Centre for the Environment ( a research facility) o Renmark Rose Festival in each October o Extensive Sporting and Recreational Facilities o A large number of Parks, Gardens and Reserves. The Council area consists of a dry land farming strip along the eastern boundary adjoining the Victoria/South Australia border. Irrigation has lead to extensive horticultural activities throughout the remainder of the area. While wine grape production is significant there are major citrus and nut plantations in existence together with vegetable and stone fruit production. Major horticultural and viticultural packers and processors market local produce to both the international and domestic market and provide significant employment opportunities to the local community. The area provides an expansive array of sporting and recreation facilities together with the normal water based activities associated with the River Murray. The District is continuing to support a range of special events and in recent years the following have become regular annual events: |
