2013 Annual Report

Performance of our students

Postal address

190 Toohey Road Wellers Hill 4121

Phone

(07) 3249 1333

Fax

(07) 3848 0228

Email

the.principal@wellhillss.eq.edu.au

Webpages

Additional reporting information pertaining to Queensland state schools is located on the My School website and the Queensland Government data website.

Contact Person

Gayle Coleman

Principals forewordIntroduction

Wellers Hill State School has an excellent reputation for providing an extensive range of programs and achieving outstanding results in many areas of the school curriculum. In 2013 there have been many successes for our school and students and I encourage all to acquaint yourself with our school through this 2013 Annual Report.

This Annual Report provides a summary of activities at Wellers Hill School in 2013 and these results have been achieved through students, staff and community members working together and contributing to life at our school. There is great community pride in the school and this is certainly warranted. Wellers Hill has achieved excellent results in the National Literacy and Numeracy tests and this report outlines many of the schools outstanding achievements across curricula and extra curricula activities.

School progress towards its goals in 2013

School Improvement Agenda - The 2013 WHSS Improvement Agenda focused on improving Literacy and Numeracy across the school. This was achieved through:

Focus on strategies and pedagogy that will improve student outcomes

Be relentless, positive and professional

Focus only on the main priorities

Keep everyone involved and engaged

Understand that Learning is the work of the School

Ensure effective communication and consultation at all levels

Wellers Hill State School supported the improvement of Literacy and Numeracy through:

Asian Education studies across the curriculum

The ArtsVisual and Performing Arts

Sport and Health Education

Environmental and Ecological Studies

Indigenous Perspectives

These were embedded by:

The introduction of The Marzano School Wide Pedagogical Framework

The implementation of the National Curriculum inEnglish, Mathematics, Science and History.

The development of a research and pedagogical partnership with Griffith University

Literacy Improvement focused on:

Continue Words Their Way

Continue QAR

Embed Reciprocal Teaching

Continue year level Literacy Block

Differentiation

Numeracy:

Embed Mathematical investigations and problem solving

Continue year level Numeracy Block

Differentiation

It is not about extraordinary people.

It is about ordinary people working together to do extraordinary things.

Strive to Succeed

Future outlook

At Wellers Hill State School we will:

Focus on strategies and pedagogy that will improve student outcomes

Be relentless, positive and professional

Focus only on the main priorities

Keep everyone involved and engaged

Understand that Learning is the work of the School

Ensure effective communication and consultation at all levels

At Wellers Hill State School, we will support the improvement of Literacy and Numeracy through:

Asian Education studies across the curriculum

The ArtsVisual and Performing Arts

Sport and Health Education

Environmental and Ecological Studies

Indigenous Perspectives

This will be embedded by:

Continuing to work on School Wide Pedagogical Framework

Continue to implement the National Curriculum inEnglish, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography.

Develop a research and pedagogical partnership with Griffith University for the Early Years.

Introducing Phase coaches (Prep-Year 2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-7)

Introducing a Prep-Year 2 STL&N role

Literacy Improvement will focus on:

Continue Words Their Way

Continue QAR

Embed Reciprocal Teaching

Continue year level Literacy Block

Differentiation

Numeracy:

Embed Mathematical investigations and problem solving

Continue year level Numeracy Block

Differentiation

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Wellers Hill State SchoolQueensland State School Reporting2013 School Annual Report

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Queensland State School Reporting2013 School Annual Report

1

School Profile

Coeducational or single sex: CoeducationalYear levels offered in 2013: Prep Year - Year 7Total student enrolments for this school: 866

Total

Girls

Boys

Enrolment Continuity

(Feb Nov)

2011

809

409

400

97%

2012

800

395

405

98%

2013

846

418

428

99%

Student counts are based on the Census (August) enrolment collection.

Characteristics of the student body:

Wellers Hill State School is an inner city suburb on the southern outskirts of Brisbane. It is situated between Ipswich Road and the Pacific Motorway and is located close to the lovely parklands of Tarragindi Reserve and Griffith University. The school is a coeducational school that caters for children from many and varied backgrounds, ability levels and cultures with 5% identifying a language other than English spoken at home. Many families are second or third-generation and proud of their schools heritage and traditions. Situated on the corner of Wellers Road and Toohey Road, the school is surrounded by mainly family residential housing. Some students who attend the school do not live in the immediate area and Wellers Hill is a school of choice for these families. The school is enrolment managed to ensure the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students whose principal place of residence is within the schools catchment area. Parents engage in a wide range of occupations and have high expectations for student learning and behaviour. Parent interest in and support for the school is very high.

Average Class sizes

Phase

Average Class Size

2011

2012

2013

Prep Year 3

23

20

22

Year 4 Year 7 Primary

26

23

21

Year 7 Secondary Year 10

Year 11 Year 12

School Disciplinary Absences

Disciplinary Absences

Count of Incidents

2011

2012

2013

Short Suspensions - 1 to 5 days

5

6

2

Long Suspensions - 6 to 20 days

0

0

0

Exclusions

0

0

0

Cancellations of Enrolment

0

0

0

Curriculum offerings

Our distinctive curriculum offerings include:

Focused literacy and numeracy blocks to ensure individual needs are being met.

A strong focus on Japanese language studies with students learning Japanese from Year 2.

A very high standard music program including choral, band and strings groups.

A very high standard visual art program with a dedicated Arts Teacher.

A strong focus on Health and Physical Activities including participation in interschool sports, weekly HPE lessons and swimming in the on-site swimming pool.

Instrumental Music Program including junior and senior instrumental bands with woodwind, brass and percussion; Junior Strings Program; and Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band Group

Award winning Performing Arts Program including an Annual Talent Showcase

Award winning choirs including a vocal group, Senior and Junior Choirs

Japanese LOTE program for Years 4 to 7 and Japanese Cultural Program for students in Years 1 to 3.

Selection in district and regional sporting teams in a range of sports.

Weekly information technology and literature skills lessons for Prep to Year 3 students.

Extra Curricula Activities include:

Biennial homestay exchange program with Shimane Prefecture in Japan

Study tour visits to Wellers Hill State School for language and cultural exchange with Noto Cho and Yasugi

Private coaching in a wide range of activities including Tennis, Australian Rules, Tae KwonDo, Cricket, Soccer and Netball both before and after school

Extensive use of school facilities including before and after school care program; Wellers Hill Swimming Club; hire of hall, pool and tennis courts by the local community.

Annual Art Exhibition and childrens workshops as well as providing Art Professional Development for schools in the Greater Brisbane Region.

Academic competitions and enrichment programs including the ICAS Mathematics, English, Spelling, Writing, Computer Studies and Science; the Westpac Mathematics Competition and School Enrichment Programs; Author and Illustrator School Visits; and Robotics Program.

School musical and talent showcase

Biathlon

Bi-annual fete Harmonies on the Hill

Jump Rope for Heart Skipping Team

Gardening Group

How Information and Communication Technologies are used to assist learning:

ICTs are woven through each Learning Areas and each class has access to computers from Prep to Year 7. A computer lab is also available for classes to access, as r