Welcome to the Herrick Presbyterian Covenant School Annual Report for 2010. 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.
In 2010 the full enrolment was 10 students - 5 in the primary school and 5 in the high school.
The average attendance rate or average number of days attended per staff member.
| 2010 | |
| Teaching Staff | 99% |
| Support Staff | 99% |
| Total teaching staff 2010 | 2 | |
| Teaching staff retained from previous year | 2 | |
| New teaching staff this year | 0 | |
| 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 two current teachers' qualifications are as follows:
The involvement of teaching staff in professional development activities during 2010 was 100%. Mr Torlach was able to attend a number of meetings including a workshop on Claymation with Glynnis Tully, a workshop on Improving School Performance by Building a Questioning Culture with Erica McWilliam, and a workshop on the New English Curriculum at Devenport Christian School. Mr Carins also attended the workshop on claymation and an information session on full registration for teachers. The total expenditure was $300.
Professional learning is vital to ensure that all staff are best able to cater for all students at HPCS. To this end efforts are continually being made to increase the amount of professional development opportunities for the teachers.
The average attendance rate in 2010 was 95%.
In May, 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.
| 2009 | Year Level |
% of students who were at or above the minimum standard |
|
|
|
|
| Reading | Year 3 | No students |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Writing | Year 3 | No students |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Spelling | Year 3 | No students |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Punctuation & Grammar | Year 3 | No students |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
|
| Numeracy | Year 3 | No students |
| Year 5 | 100% | |
| Year 7 | 100% | |
|
Year 9 |
100% |
In 2010, 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 2010 the 'extras' included:
There was one year 10 student enrolled in 2010. She graduated with good results and is now employed full-time as a Dental Assistant.
Due to the small nature of our school and very close contact between school and all homes, no formal surveys were conducted in 2010. Various issues were canvassed however and the school board continues to address the various matters that are current on the school's strategic plan.