Progress on 2008 Targets
Target 1
To improve numeracy skills and SC and HSC results in mathematics and in the numeracy aspects of other subjects.
Our achievements include:
- All numeracy measured within the NAPLAN testing being substantially above the state mean in Year 7 and all, except for patterns and algebra in Year 9.
- Year 7 Numeracy (NAPLAN) results follow:
Year 9 Numeracy (NAPLAN) results follow:
- In Year 7, 68% of our students were placed in the top three ‘Bands’ for Numeracy in the NAPLAN testing (Bands 7 – 9) compared to 58% of the state.
- In Year 9, 57% of our students were placed in the top three ‘Bands’ for Numeracy in the NAPLAN testing (Bands 8 – 10) compared to 53% of the state.
- The successful identification of explicit numeracy areas for improvement as identified by analysis of NAPLAN, SC and HSC data. These areas are to be embedded into curriculum design.
- The Mathematics results in the School Certificate exams displayed a positive trend when compared to the state's results over the past four years, see graph. Collectively Year 10 was 1.28% above the state, up 0.87% on 2007, 2.73% on 2006 and 4.31% on 2005 results (when school V's state means were compared).
- Mathematics, School Certificate results (%) follow:
- In the School Certificate - Mathematics, 29.2% of students received results in the top two 'Bands' (Bands 5 - 6) as compared to 25.4% of the state. Whilst only 12.5% of students received results in either Band 1 or 2 as compared to 19.5% of the state.
- In the HSC - Mathematics, 48 students out of 70 (69%) who studied any of the three courses scored in the top three 'Bands' (Bands 4 - 6) as compared to 67% in the state and 61% for Barrenjoey in 2007, see graph.
- HSC Mathematics graph follows identifying the percentage top three 'Band' distribution for 2008 Barrenjoey and State as well as 2007 historical data for Barrenjoey.
- In General Mathematics (44 students) received an average of 3.6% above the state mean, with 9.1% receiving a Band 6 (4.8% in state) and 25% receiving a Band 5 (20.9% in state).
- For all HSC Mathematics courses only 5 students (7%) received scores in the lowest two 'Bands' as compared to 18% in 2007.
- In 2 Unit Mathematics all students (21) scored in the top four ‘Bands’. (At the state level 12% scored in the lower two Bands).
- In 2008, Barrenjoey High School students entered a number of externally assessed mathematics competitions. Perhaps the most recognisable is the University of NSW Mathematics competition. Our students scored above the combined NSW/ACT means for all six Year groups. Below is a summary of results.
Target 2
To improve literacy skills in all subjects and improve SC, HSC and ELLA results. (please note: ELLA testing was replaced with NAPLAN from 2008 onwards)
Our achievements include:
- Literacy measured within the NAPLAN testing being substantially above the state mean in Reading, Writing and for Overall Literacy for both Year 7 and Year 9.
- Year 7 Literacy (NAPLAN) results follow:
- Year 9 Literacy (NAPLAN) results follow:
- In Year 7, 58% of our students were placed in the top three 'Bands' for Literacy in the NAPLAN testing (Bands 7 - 9) compared to 56% of the state.
- In Year 9, 51% of our students were placed in the top three 'Bands' for Numeracy in the NAPLAN testing (Bands 8 - 10) compared to 48% of the state.
- The successful identification of explicit literacy areas for improvement as identified by analysis of data gained from external assessments such as NAPLAN, SC and HSC. These areas are to be embedded into curriculum design.
- There has been a greater level of student success across all subjects as measured through achievements in school based assessment tasks.
- Like Mathematics the English results in the School Certificate exams also displayed a positive trend when compared to the state’s results over the past four years, see graph. Collectively Year 10 was 2.37% above the state, up 0.05% on 2007, 2.07% on 2006 and 2.58% on 2005 results (when school V's state means were compared).
- English, School Certificate (%) results follow:
- In the School Certificate - English, an incredible 50.8% of students received results in the top two 'Bands' (Bands 5 - 6) as compared to 38.6% of the state. Whilst only 10% of students received results in Bands 1,2 or 3 as compared to 22.2% of the state.
- In the HSC - English, 83 students out of 115 (72%) who studied any of the four courses scored in the top three 'Bands' (Bands 4 - 6) as compared to 66% in the state and 58% for Barrenjoey in 2007, see graph.
- For all HSC English courses only 4 students (3.5%) received scores in the lowest two 'Bands' as compared to 10% in the state and 7% for Barrenjoey in 2007.
- HSC English graph follows identifying the percentage top three 'Band' distribution for 2008 Barrenjoey and State as well as 2007 historical data for Barrenjoey.
- In Extension 2 English (9 students) received an average of 3.2% above the state mean, with 5 students receiving the top Band (E4).
- In the four English courses combined no Barrenjoey student received the lowest Band (Band 1) in English.
- Individual and small group mentoring by Year 10 students of Years 7 and 8 students with specific literacy and learning needs being targeted.
- In 2008, Barrenjoey High School students entered a number of externally assessed English/literacy competitions. Perhaps the most recognisable is the University of NSW English Writing competition. Our students scored above the combined NSW/ACT means for all four Year groups we entered. Below is a summary of results.
Target 3
School culture and intellectual quality.. to address the areas of concern in the surveys.
Our achievements include:
- Participation in a School's Promotion Course by a number of community members and the establishment of a Promotional Committee.
- The production and distribution of the weekly newsletter, Peninsula Press via electronic means (email).
- The re-development of the uniform policy and subsequent monitoring and enforcement of.
- The successful interviewing of all students by the executive staff following the distribution of School Reports and the surveying of student's effort and the anecdotal support for greater effort and its relationship to success.
- The production of effort posters to promote its role in the process of learning.
- The introduction of a new welfare system, 'Levels' to target disconnected students and develop a student's responsibility in learning.
- The promotion of a culture reflecting student expectations as established by the identification of 'students at risk', senior pledges/contracts and individualised learning plans.
- The development of a three year school plan that focuses on five key priority areas:
- Supporting the school's culture
- Raising learning expectations
- Increasing student engagement
- Developing the learning environment.