High Notes, Vol 16 No 34, October 30 2015
High Talent
Vishal Karnamadakala (Year 11) had his HSC visual arts body of
work selected for possible exhibition in ARTEXPRESS. Great job, Vishal! Congratulations to
Tim Palmer (7T) whose team entry into the iAwards Computing Technology and Communication
Competition was selected by APICTA to represent Australia in Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific
competition. APICTA – Asia Pacific ICT Alliance- is an alliance of national ICT
organisations representing their respective economies to build and enhance a mutually
cooperative network to promote ICT, enhance technology innovations, capability and adoption, and
encourage the development of indigenous ICT solutions for the global market.
Tell Them From Me Survey – Students: Social-Emotional Outcomes
The
Tell Them From Me Survey response at High was 228 boys or a 19% sample size. It was
disappointing, but understandable, given we have asked for several surveys to be done in the last
12 months. It is difficult for the Executive to draw many firm conclusions about school climate
from such a sample. The NSW norm was derived from 75,000 responses. In measures of
social-emotional outcomes, High’s culture is very healthy. ‘Student
participation in sports’ 96% which was 1.85 times the NSW government schools norm of 52%
for boys. ‘Student participation in extracurricular activities’ (67%) was three
times the norm for boys. ‘Students with a positive sense of belong’ (85%) was
16% higher than the boys’ norm. ‘Students with positive relationships’
(82%) was around the NSW boys’ norm of 77%. ‘Students who value schooling
outcomes’ (77%) (v 73%). ‘Students who regularly truant’ 3% (10%).Truancy
is defined as skipping classes or arriving late or missing days at school without a reason.
‘Students with positive homework behaviours’ 84% (v 50%). ‘Students with
positive behaviour at school’ 91% (87%). ‘Intellectual engagement
composite’ (64%) (v 48%). ‘Students who are interested and motivated’ 41%
(v 29%). Teachers will need to reflect on this measure which the school would like to
improve. Effort (trying hard to succeed) 75% (v 65%). Matrix of challenge and
skills: High skills/high challenge (72%) (v 42%) high skills/low challenge 12% (v
11%), low skills/high challenge 13% (v 4%) and low skills/low challenge 3% (v 7%). The
results of this matrix probably reveal that the scope of our underachievement task at High.
Optimism: ‘high levels of optimism’ 61% ‘medium’
29% ‘low’ 9%. Happiness: ‘high levels of happiness’ 40%
‘medium’ 46% ‘low’ 14%. It seems our school climate might benefit
from applying some of the strategies from the positive psychology movement.
Academic self-concept: ‘high’ 88%’ medium 11%
‘low’ 1%. Given the number of late entry students at High, this is a pleasing
snapshot.
Light Rail Update
At our last meeting with ALTRAC on 14 October, we were very pleased to see that the site compound
on Moore Park West was significantly smaller than we had first been led to expect. A 2.4m
hoarding will be erected around the work site, thereby minimising noise and dust pollution. Our
emergency muster point can still be MPW. There will be significant changes to Anzac Parade during
construction of the light rail tunnel. It will be closed outside the school and diverted through
Moore Park East. Buses on Anzac Parade will be affected and new arrangement will need to be
negotiated. Piling for the bridge over the eastern distributor is scheduled for the Christmas
holidays. The pedestrian bridge over Anzac Parade to the light rail station is being redesigned
and will be released for comment by SBHS and SGHS once it is completed. ALTRAC is sensitive
to our needs for peace and quiet during examination periods and has pledged to liaise with our
schools’ planners to minimise disruption to both the schools and the schedule of works.
Resource Allocation Model Funding
In 2012, the NSW Government announced its
Local Schools, Local Decisions (LSLD) reform for NSW public schools. This reform places students
at the centre of school decision making. It gives principals and school communities a greater say
over how they use the available resources to best meet the needs of their students. To enable the
shift of resources to the school level, a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) has been developed. The
RAM provides a simpler, fairer and more transparent distribution of government school funding and
changes the way resources are managed in our school system. On 21 October 2015, the NSW
Premier the Hon Mike Baird MP and the Minister for Education the Hon Adrian Piccoli announced the
next phase of the RAM implementation. In 2016, $113 million in additional funding has been
allocated to NSW public schools through the RAM. These additional funds have been allocated in a
way consistent with the recommendations of the Gonski Review.
In 2016, NSW public schools will receive a base allocation for staff professional learning and
funding for each student using a new methodology. Schools will continue to receive equity
loadings for socio-economic background, Aboriginal background, English language proficiency and
low level adjustment for disability. High was allocated $132,689 for its equity loading.
This used to be Student Assistance Funding and transitional equity funding. At least $80,000 is
new funding. Our indicative annual entitlement of $574,751 has been boosted by a per capita grant
of $81,981. This additional financial assistance is most welcome. We shall have more funds to
drive our Strategic Plan in 2016-17.
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal
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