clarkson community high school a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 …

Clarkson Community High School – Annual School Report 2010 In Brief Everyone To Care

Clarkson Community High School

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0

I N B R I E F


2 COOPERATION AND RESPECT FOR EVERYONE

‘At Clarkson, we care about one another…’

John Young, Principal.


THE PRINCIPAL SAYS…

3

When I started teaching more than years ago, our public high schools were very different. The mark of a ‘good’ school was having as many kids as possible getting into universities, and, while there were provisions for those whose ambitions were different, they were far less extensive than they are today. We have great kids at Clarkson, but the overwhelming majority of them, when they finish their compulsory schooling at the end of Year 12, want to take on apprenticeships or traineeships, go to a TAFE college or enter the workforce. This means that while we have to provide for the small number who are university bound, our main focus is on providing schooling that prepares all our students to enter society as good citizens, with sound literacy and numeracy skills and a belief in the benefits of lifelong learning. In 2010, we came to accept that while we had had many successes, we needed to do things differently if we were going to achieve these aims with all our students and Positive Start 2010 represents our thinking about the transformation of Clarkson Community High School. The biggest obstacles to achieving our dream for Clarkson are the poor standards of literacy and numeracy among our incoming students and the lack of commitment to schooling among a small proportion of students. We believe these can be overcome. Many of you will already have checked out our school’s 2010 NAPLAN results on the Australian Government’s My School V.2.0 website. It may appear that we are not performing as well as similar schools. .

thirty I am the first to admit that we can do better. Nevertheless, we are improving. For the facts, I urge you to read our full 2010 annual report, which is available at http://www.clarksonchs.det.wa.edu.au Our initiatives in vocational education are giving many kids an incentive to attend school that they lacked in the past. TRADESNORTH is now open for business. We are leaders in the application of information technology to schooling and aim to provide every student with access to a computer. Our extensive community and business links allow Clarkson kids to work outside school and both contribute to and learn more about society. I am proud to be Principal of Clarkson Community High School and I look forward to continuing to work toward making sure that every student achieves his or her goals. I commend our reports to parents, caregivers and other members of the school and Clarkson communities.

April 2011


4 OUR SCHOOL Clarkson Community High School is a comprehensive public high school (Years 8 to 12) providing a high‐quality education to almost 900 young people in the north‐western suburbs of Perth, including Brighton, Butler, Clarkson, Merriwa, Mindarie and Quinns Rocks.

Built between 1996 and 1999, Clarkson provides opportunities for studies at one of the most modern, technologically‐advanced schools in Western Australia. Students have access to state‐of‐the‐art computer equipment, networked and linked to the world via a high‐speed broadband Internet connection.

Our goal at Clarkson is to encourage students to enjoy and value learning. We aim to widen their horizons by presenting a diverse curriculum that will prepare them to live and work in the twenty‐first century. The curriculum reflects our desire for our students to become responsible and flexible thinkers who will be well prepared for the changes ahead. We are dedicated to excellence, personal service to students and the development of a caring, friendly learning environment. We provide courses that are challenging, relevant and responsive to student, employer and community needs.

Our mission is to ensure that all students develop understandings, skills and attributes relevant to their individual needs, enabling them to fulfil their potential and contribute confidently to the development of society.

The ethos underpinning all aspects of structure and organisation in the school is that of CARE:

Cooperation And Respect for Everyone.


OUR SCHOOL 5 At Clarkson, we work toward building strong interpersonal relationships between students and teachers ‐ founded on trust, respect and responsibility.

The school is involved in various mentoring and volunteer programs that enhance student‐teacher and school‐community relationships. There is particular value in the relationship between the school and senior members of the community through our students’ association with local retirement villages.

In addition, Clarkson has very successful State Emergency Services and Bush Rangers Cadet Units run by members of the local community. The school has also developed links with the West Perth Rotary Club.

An innovative middle‐school structure, with two learning communities, meets the specific needs of students in Years 8 and 9.

The senior school provides a range of study options for Years 10, 11 and 12 students.

While Year 10 students continue to apply the learning skills developed in the middle years within the framework of the eight Curriculum Council learning areas, Years 11 and 12 students are offered a wide range of study options.

As a learning institution at the centre of a thriving community, Clarkson recognises that the participation of the greater community enriches learning opportunities for everyone. We have strong links with West Coast Institute of Technology, Edith Cowan University and a wide range of employers that provide structured workplace learning opportunities for our students.


6 SCHOOL AIMS

CCHS wins another Top Public School Award in 2010 for Year 12 VET results Clarkson is a community-based high school with a particular focus on: Academic Performance We strive for excellence in the achievement of learning outcomes, whereby every student is encouraged to achieve his or her personal best.

Personal Development We endeavour to encourage students' self esteem and enhance in them the development of a positive attitude to lifelong learning. Community Involvement We seek to develop and maintain links with the community that will ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom and is inclusive of parents, caregivers and the wider community. The purpose underpinning all that we do is to enable students: To be successful learners, who develop and achieve their individual academic

potential and personal excellence; To make the best possible choices they can, based upon the information

available, their beliefs and their particular contexts; To ‘own their own behaviour’, and be responsible for this and to accept

consequences; To develop understanding of others, including cultural acceptance;

To contribute to the wider community;

To learn skills, including the skills of enquiry, innovative thinking and problem

solving; and To appreciate and develop a concern for the environment.


SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY 7 A set of fundamental principles guides the teaching and learning practices of Clarkson. Our aim is to provide an educational environment in which each student can develop: Self confidence, initiative, self discipline and resilience;

Skills in relating to and working with others, including team work,

communication and respect for others; Transferable life skills in job seeking, decision making and goal setting;

Effective literacy and numeracy skills;

Skills in maintaining good health, personal fitness and wellbeing;

An understanding of the society in which we live, how we interact with others

from different cultural backgrounds and the responsibility of citizenship; Skills and abilities in technology and an appreciation of the role of technology

in our society;

An appreciation of, and confidence to participate in the arts;

An understanding of the natural world and scientific principles; and

Skills of communication in a language other than English.

Year 8 students Aushahn Chung, Charlotte Carroll,

Marissa-Lee Sam and Amber Burke


8 SCHOOL CODE

All students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach free from disruption. In addition, all students and staff have the right to:

Be treated courteously and with respect; Work in a clean and safe environment;

Have their property cared for and respected;

Be free from verbal and physical abuse;

Expect all members of the school community to abide by the regulations

of the Department of Education; and Be listened to at the appropriate place and time.

Head Boy Jordan Long and Head Girl Samantha Bradock


SCHOOL PROGRAMS 9 The school offers a range of programs to ensure that our students maximise their abilities, talents and potential. Underlying everything that we do at the school is an ethos of care that is supported by the student services and pastoral care programs. Other programs that enhance students’ opportunities include: Specialist Music Soccer Program State Emergency Services and Bush Rangers Cadets Units English as a Second Language (ESL) Support Vocational Education and Training (VET) Aboriginal School-Based Traineeships Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) Challenge Skills Passport (in collaboration with West Coast Institute of Technology) Profile-funded TAFE courses Virtual Infant (VIP) You Can Do It Commonwealth Literacy and Numeracy (CLNP) Getting it Right (Literacy) Road Awareness The Real Game

Brianna Halliday receives a scholarship from Edith Cowan University

at the 2010 Year 12 Graduation Ceremony


10 STUDENTS

Daniel Ang, Branden Gough, Samantha McIntee, Gemma Mann, Emily Hodson and Jessica Parnaby enjoying their science class

Student numbers, first semester 2007-2011

Year level 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

8

{664 {691 {673 {522

153 9 97 10 223 11 {284 {278 {367 {346

229 12 159 All 948 969 1040 868 861

Females 415 Males 446 Non-Indigenous 795 Indigenous 66


YEAR 9 ACHIEVEMENT 11

Year 9 scores, National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, 2008-2010

Year Reading Writing Spelling Grammar and

Punctuation

Numeracy

2008 Clarkson 531 510 532 517 525 Similar schools 552 537 552 540 552 All schools 578 569 577 569 582 2009 Clarkson 525 482 529 509 526 Similar schools 555 534 550 545 560 All schools 580 569 576 574 589 2010 Clarkson 525 506 537 531 527 Similar schools 549 536 555 550 557 All schools 574 568 579 579 585


12 YEAR 12 ACHIEVEMENT Students’ scaled scores, Tertiary Entrance Examinations, 2008-2010

Subject 2008 2009 2010

Biological Science 48.8 44.6 28.4 Chemistry 50.5 60.5 42.6 Drama NA NA 29.6 English 54.5 36.8 47.7 Geography 36.4 28.8 28.7 Mathematics 2B NA NA 28.1 Mathematics 2D NA NA 41.3 Media Prod & Analysis NA NA 29.0 Modern History 43.5 44.3 41.5 Music NA NA 44.1

Year 12 participation, 2008-2010

Year Eligible

students TER

(ATAR) * Cert. II

or higher

Completed Cert. II or

higher

Achieved WACE

2008 73 13 2 NA NA 67 2009 72 14 3 39 27 53 2010 75 12 0 47 31 65

Students’ intended and actual post-school destinations, 2009-2010

Place Intention 2009 Destination 2010 Return to school 0.0 0.0 University 12.8 8.1 TAFE 53.8 25.8 Apprenticeship 15.4 4.0 Traineeship 7.7 6.5 Other training 2.0 3.2 Employment 5.1 38.7 Employment assistance 0.0 11.3 Other 2.6 1.6 All 99.4 99.2

* Achieved ATAR and scaled score of 75+ in at least one subject.


13 ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOUR

Attendance rates, 2008-2010

Year Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

2008 90 87 83 83 82 2009 89 85 84 81 85 2010 89 86 84 83 82 2010 State 90 88 86 87 89

Suspensions, 2009-2010

Year level 2009 2010 9 218 86 11 87 46 12 67 9 Other 142 120 All 514 261


STAFF 14 All our teaching staff meet the professional requirements to teach in Western Australian public schools and can be found on the public register of teachers of the Western Australian College of Teaching.

New teachers attending an induction meeting with the Principal

Staff, first semester 2011

Category Actual FTE Administration staff Principal 1 1.0 Deputy principal 4 4.0 Program coordinator 10 9.6 Teachers 59 53.9 School support staff Clerical/administrative 11 9.2 Gardening/maintenance 2 2.0 Instructional 1 1.0 Other non-teaching staff 20 14.5 Totals 108* 95.2

*Includes one Indigenous person.


15 FINANCES

Income 2010 Budget Actuals Expenditure 2010 Budget Actuals

Vol. contributions 120 195 30 539 Administration 12 033 14 792 Charges and fees 139 870 67 160 Utilities 281 317 147 518 State Government grants

1 434 648 1 197 413 Repairs and maintenance

604 210 585 296

Australian Government grants

37 625 37 914 Capital works 84 900 84 900

Miscellaneous 176 950 225 638 Assets and resources 51 839 51 839 Leases 15 817 11 863 Total income 1 909 288 1 558 664 Prof. development 78 765 55 148 Education programs 670 231 145 523 Transfer from reserves/gifts

617 382 617 382 Student services 9 706 9 168

Opening balance 704 875 704 875 Miscellaneous 881 907 666 665 Total funds available 3 231 545 2 880 921 Total expenditure 2 690 725 1 772 712

Transfer to asset

reserves 125 566 125 566

Total funds carry

forward 415 254 982 643


PARENTS AND STUDENTS SAY… 16 The December 2010 survey was conducted via a web-based mixture of multiple-choice questions and open-ended responses. The same instrument had been used in a survey in March 2010. There were 42 parent responses from 324 emailed questionnaires and 46 responses from Year 8 students, 109 from Year 9 students and 110 from Year 10 students. Positive responses (percentages) from students and parents, December 2010 survey Question group Students Parents Safety in the school 87 67 School’s responsiveness to problems 44 74 School’s approach to dealing with bullying 36 48 Extent to which school recognises positive student behaviour 34 68 Effectiveness of school communication 33 71 Fairness of school rules 42 69 Extent to which students enjoy school 46 NA Extent to which school considers wishes of its community NA 74 Relevance of school’s curriculum NA 68

Principal John Young presents Kasharnie Richie with her graduation certificate


17 SCHOOL DIRECTIONS Significant changes are signalled for our school in the future. Clarkson TAFE, known as TRADESNORTH, was built on the school site at a cost of $21.6 million and opened in March 2011. This provides a state-of-the-art facility for trades training, while a full commercial kitchen will be developed from the existing Home Economics room, with West Coast Institute of Technology delivering Certificates III and IV courses. Pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post-trade training will be available in electrical trades, metal fabrication, carpentry, joinery, bricklaying and block laying, solid plastering, and wall and floor tiling.

Clarkson will apply on behalf of a number of neighbouring public and private schools for an Australian Government Trade Training Centre grant, which could lead to a further investment of $6-$10 million on the school site. This facility would complement TRADESNORTH, the commercial kitchen and THE SHED. THE SHED is a purpose-built facility that delivers building and construction training to young people in the Brighton-Clarkson area. Through pre-apprenticeships and on-site community involvement, it aims to increase job opportunities for local youth while addressing the current industry skills shortages. It offers pre-apprenticeship programs, practical involvement in community projects, job placements and careers information, a mentoring program, enterprise training and life skills training.

Pathways

One reason for student dissatisfaction is a failure to achieve, which can be the result of choosing unsuitable upper-school courses. Pathways are an important feature of the school and we are developing a comprehensive approach to pathways counselling, with a review of options and opportunities. Vocational education and training (VET) Many of our students are attracted to the wide range of VET courses available at our school. These offer credit for the Western Australian Certificate of Education, higher-level Certificate and Diploma courses at TAFE colleges, and entry to apprenticeships and traineeships. Some are suitable for students with disabilities, of whom there are 29 at Clarkson. Some programs include workplace learning (students apply and practise industry skills in real settings). Independent public school Clarkson may seek independent public school status and become an increasingly -significant provider of trade training as a result of having greater autonomy to chart a self-directed future.


Clarkson COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

16 Walyunga Boulevard, Clarkson WA 6030

Principal: John Young john [email protected]

(08) 9400 1777

Compiled by John Keyworth April 2011

www.clarksonchs.det.wa.edu.au

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clarkson community high school a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 …

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