December 7, 2014
Marcus Priaulx, from the Barambah PaCE project, has put together a wrap-up of the 2014 school year after talking to some South Burnett primary school principals:
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Wondai’s Work Gets Great Results
Wondai P-9 students have greatly improved their attendance, learning outcomes and behaviour over 2014.
Principal Ruth Miller keeps a close eye on statistics which show about half her students have an attendance rate of 95 per cent or greater.
“It definitely shows in the results,” Ruth said.
“The majority of kids with this attendance level have excellent results.
“Those that attend for 90 per cent of the days have made significant improvements and those that have come for 95 per cent or more of the time have made even greater improvements.
“It shows turning up to school every day is the key to children achieving with their learning.”
Ruth said the numbers of children showing up every day had grown over the years due to Wondai teachers involving them more with their learning.
“The children have warm-ups to get them into the lesson; it could be chanting number facts,” she said.
“It leads children to success in the first five minutes. Then there’s plenty of lively interaction; to-and-fro between the children and teachers so nobody gets bored.”
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Cherbourg Provides Life-Changing Gift
Cherbourg State School principal Peter Sansby says his time at the school has been the most rewarding of his 25 years in education.
Peter believes the school has made great changes for the better due to the dedication of staff, students, parents, carers and the community.
“Education has the power to change lives,” he said.
“Education provides individuals with endless opportunities. Education is power.”
Peter says the school’s future is “extremely bright”.
“I invite every person to join the journey to ensure Cherbourg State School is seen as a school of excellence and a place where children are provided with the life-changing gift of a first class education.”
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Mighty Year At Moffatdale
Moffatdale State School’s classroom attendance has grown along with the confidence of students.
School attendance for the whole year was 91.7 per cent, but rose to 93.3 per cent – greater than the national average – during the final term.
Principal Aaron Jones believes rewarding good behaviour during award ceremonies and having focussed-based programs in the areas of literacy, reading and spelling were the reason for the lift.
“It’s given them a lot of confidence to keep going,” Aaron said
“The children are ability grouped so learn at their own level.”
It’s Aaron’s first year at the school and second as a principal after he previously served at Condamine.
“There’s a big difference,” Aaron said.
“Moffatdale’s very multicultural and it’s very inclusive.
“Everybody is treated the same; equally. There’s a very positive vibe. It’s friendly, inviting, the parents are very supportive.
“The fact we’re outside Murgon means parents are making the effort to bring their children to us. That shows they’re committed to improving their children’s education.”
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St Joey’s Hops To The Top
St Joseph’ s Catholic primary school at Murgon has a growing number of children who have hardly missed a day in class.
The students have improved their learning outcomes by going to school every day this year … many students are in class, on or above the national average for all children.
Principal Greg Cran said the result was better education results.
“Literacy has been a big focus; reading, writing, sight words, from Prep to Year 2 this year, and next year it will be for the whole school,” Greg said.
Greg said the school’s Year 6 and 7 leadership groups had been outstanding with their organising discos, fun games and gardening working bees, to name a few events.
“These guys have set a good example from which the rest of our students can build upon,” he said.
“It sets a platform for great results in the future.”
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St Mary’s Achieves Results
St Mary’s South Burnett Catholic College students get involved in everything.
They act in school performances, play sport and music, win academic prizes and Benedictine Awards for showing the values of respect, responsibility, safe behaviour and being the best person they can be.
The school had 47 Indigenous students from Pre-Prep to Year 12 this year and principal Mike Nayler said their attendance rates very much matched the non-Indigenous students.
“Our kids are achieving,” Mike said.
“They’re doing amazing and going on to do all the things they want to do.
“Our parents are amazing and we’re seeing the results of that with their children going on to university, traineeships and work.”
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Murgon Partnerships Bring Success
Murgon State School’s musical “Cinderella – A Modern Fairytale” showed how the school community teamed together to create success.
It was choreographed by the Year 6 and 7 students and contained a cross-section of children, staff, parents and citizens working together to put on a sensational show.
The school also catered for children who found school tricky by having them create a “Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden” where they cooked healthy food and cooked it.
The school’s parent group and footy teams were further demonstration of how great things happen when everyone works together.
Student behaviour and attendance has improved and principal Pamela O’Loughlin said the school was full of great teachers and learning.
“They work very hard and the children really respond,” she said.
“We’re also proud of our school-community relationships and the support we have from our parents.
“Our parents are very supportive of the school and we need those partnerships to succeed if our children are to get the best learning outcomes.”
