Welcome to the Herrick Presbyterian Covenant School Annual Report for 2008. The report provides a brief summary of relevant information to parents and the wider school community. As the Principal of the school I am thankful to God for the progress we have made in establishing Christ-centred, relevant learning programs and the continuing desire to honestly appraise and evaluate what we are doing in order to improve in the future.
Herrick Presbyterian Covenant School (HPCS) was established by Christian parents and fellow believers connected with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia Winnaleah congregation, in order that they may educate their children in a Christian environment and in the nurture and fear of the Lord, as is their God given responsibility.
The school was registered in 2002 and since that time has been providing education for male and female students in years 1- 10.
HPCS seeks to provide the best possible education through a course of learning which is founded in the Word of God, aligned with the national statements of learning and presented in a way that provided maximum opportunity for all students, through a variety of teaching strategies and activities which match the various learning styles and abilities.
With an enrolment in 2008 of 23 students, the school opened a third class which was known as middle school comprising grades 5 and 6. The primary class catered for years 1 through 4 and the high school continued to provide for years 7 to 10. Enrolment remained static in line with 2007 figures.
The average attendance rate or average number of days attended per staff member.
| 2008 | |
| Teaching Staff | 96% |
| Support Staff | 99% |
| Total teaching staff 2008 | 3 | |
| Teaching staff retained from previous year | 2 | |
| New teaching staff this year | 1 | |
| Staff retention rate | 100% |
All teachers at HPCS meet the professional requirements to teach in Tasmania and are registered with the Teachers Registration Board Tasmania. Our three current teachers' qualifications are as follows:
The involvement of teaching staff in professional development activities during 2008 was 100%. All staff members were able to attend workshops on various topics relating to literacy and numeracy. The total expenditure was $500.
Professional learning is vital to ensure that all staff are best able to cater for all students at HPCS. To this end efforts are being made to increase the amount of professional development opportunities for the teachers.
The average attendance rate in 2008 was 94%. There were many absences during the year due to an outbreak of severe influenza in the school community
In May, for the first time, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia participated in NAPLAN (National Assessment Literacy and Numeracy) which assessed their performance in literacy and numeracy. All students across Australia did the same tests on the same days.
Students were tested in numeracy, reading, writing and language conventions which included spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The national tests provide information on how students are progressing against national benchmarks (minimum standards) and support improvements in teaching and learning.
The tests were independently assessed and results returned to the school and parents in Term 3.
A key component of each test is the 'minimum standard', an assessment point considered the minimum requirement for that year group. The report to parents indicates their child's performance in relation to that benchmark. It must be remembered that this assessment is only one piece of data that informs parents and the school of the child's achievement at school.
The following table shows the results of our students.
| 2008 | Year Level |
% of students who were at or above the minimum standard |
|
|
|
|
| Reading | Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Writing | Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Spelling | Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Punctuation & Grammar | Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Numeracy | Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
In 2008, 100% of students in the grades tested reached or surpassed the minimum standard in all areas. For this we give thanks to the Lord and pray that He will continue to bless our labours as Students and Staff.
The following are a list of 'extra' things we do which
add value to the education that your children receive.
In 2008 the 'extras' included:
There were four year 10 students enrolled in 2008. They graduated with good results and two are now enrolled in year 11 at Newstead College, one is doing an apprenticeship in small motor mechanics and the other is doing an apprenticeship as a beautician.
Herrick School seeks to provide the best in Covenant Christian education. We strive continually to nurture the development of the whole child consistent with the Word of God.
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