Saint Stephen’s CollegeDistinctive Curriculum Offerings . The College offers subjects developed or...
Transcript of Saint Stephen’s CollegeDistinctive Curriculum Offerings . The College offers subjects developed or...
Saint Stephen’s College
2010 Annual School Report CRICOS Provider Number 01938G
www.saintstephenscollege.net.au
Phone 07 5573 8662
This report complies with State and
Commonwealth Reporting requirements. DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION
Saint Stephen‟s College is an independent co-educational college, affiliated with the Traditional Anglican Church of Australia.
The College offers classes from Prep to Year 12, and includes a child care centre and an Intensive English Programme. It is located
on Reserve Road, Coomera in Queensland. At the 2010 August census date, total enrolments from Prep to Year 12 were 1328 stu-
dents, 79 of whom were Prep students.
The College Mission and Vision
Our Mission “We develop character and inspire hope”
Our Vision “Saint Stephen's College is a learning community centred on Christian principles. As such, it fosters self-
directed, determined, courageous and skilful people of substance who will make a positive difference to their communities, whilst
they are at school and when they graduate. Our students will leave Year 12 with a strong sense of who they are and with the cour-
age and skills to thrive in the 21st Century.”
Distinctive Curriculum Offerings
The College offers subjects developed or endorsed by the Queensland Studies Authority, as well as an accredited Intensive English
Language Programme for international students. The academic programmes are supported by a per-
sonal development programme integrated into the curriculum and numerous year level camps. The
College also offers individualised programmes designed to meet the educational needs of students
with special needs as well as students who demonstrate particular gifts or talents. The College has a
number of students completing traineeships in Years 11 and 12. Other students have elected to
study semester units at Griffith or Bond Universities while in their final years of study.
The diversity of activities involving Saint Stephen’s College students in 2010
Above: Developing character by fostering a global perspective through service to communities in India and Ethiopia
Extra-Curricular Activities and College Culture
Students from Year 4 upwards are involved in the Association of Private Schools (APS)
sports programme, with competitions held on either Thursday or Friday afternoons. Students
are also offered the opportunity to be involved in a range of service or cultural activities. The
College has a strong and diverse Performing Arts department, and there are various commu-
nity and service orientated groups. Students participate in speech and drama, debating, public
speaking, chess, drama, dancing, aerobics and numerous vocal and instrumental performance
groups. There are variety of clubs operating within the College, including Duke of Edinburgh,
Readers Cup, Robotics, Nimble Fingers, Art, Adventure, Interact, Community Service, Envi-
ronment and Science groups. Many opportunities are provided to students with the assistance
of The Goda Educational Foundation including Global Young Leaders, Outward Bound and Young Endeavour. The service to the
community by Mr Humphery Firkins was recently acknowledged in the Australia Day Awards.
Parents, teachers and students again operated a drink station at the Gold Coast Marathon, donating proceeds to the Tsion Mariam
School in Ethiopia. Again in 2010, student teams performed with distinction in the 96km Kokoda Challenge.
During 2010, students participated in trips to both India and Cambodia to support local
Opportunities
and achievements
The College boasts a strong vertical House system, providing an avenue for the delivery of
both pastoral care and sporting opportunities for students. Every member of the College is
attached to a House. In Prep to Year 7, the House is the focus of inter-house competitions.
In Years 7 to 12 the House also becomes the focus of pastoral care. In Prep to Year 6, the
classroom teacher is the principal care giver. In Years 7 and 8, students have access to „core‟
teachers as well as their tutors and Head of House. In Years 9 to 12, students also have con-
tact with Year Level Coordinators and Heads of Programme who oversee curriculum and
welfare issues respectively. Additional support is provided by the College Counsellor and
College Nurse. The College is divided into a number of programmes to provide a focus on
particular learning and developmental needs.
During 2010, a number of students performed at state, national and international levels in
sport. Students also participated with distinction in numerous state and national academic
competitions. Due to the generosity of the Goda Foundation Educational Trust, numerous
students again have been given the opportunity to participate in various programmes
within Australia and overseas.
Parents are involved in many facets of the College curricular and co-curricular life.
They are involved through assisting with various reading and other support pro-grammes. One of the highlights of the College year is Grandparents‟ and Special Friends‟ Day. Saint Stephen‟s College has an active Parents and Friends Association
who are responsible for a number of functions throughout the year . The inaugural Saint Stephen‟s FARA Olympics was held in 2010 to raise funds for research into a
cure for Friedreich's Ataxia, a degenerative disease. External surveys of parent satisfaction were conducted at the end of
2009 and beginning of 2011. The attached 2011 survey of the College Community highlights many of the key elements for
contributing to the success of the College.
Personal development and facilities at Saint Stephen’s College
A strong sense of community at Saint Stephen’s College
FARA & SSC Olympics
Thank you to everyone who prepared for the Olympics and/or supported it on the day. I am not sure about how many com-
petitors and spectators we had on the day, but I guess it was around three hundred.
I congratulate the Vadas and Dwyer family for bringing their vision to reality. I thank them for creating such a fantastic community building activity. It gave our parents an opportunity to see our facilities and to interact with our students and our
Old Scholars an opportunity to see how much we have grown. I also thank Mayor Ron Clarke and Mrs Clarke, Mrs Marga-ret Keech, the State Member for Albert and Government Whip, Mr Humphrey Firkins and Mrs Carmel Cleary from the Goda
Foundation for their support on the day.
Special mention must go to the Saint Stephen's College Maintenance Staff, all the Volunteers under the direction of the
amazing duo of Jan Sorrensen and Mrs Kirsty Trezise, our fantastic Sports Department and the talented Saint Stephen's Col-
lege Technical Crew and Film and Television Crew for all of their efforts leading up to and on the day.
Financially the day was a great success, with over $30,000 raised from participants and sponsors and another $20,000 from Mr Firkins and $25,000 from a supporter who pledged money from Singapore. All of this money will go towards the on-
going research into a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia….
EXTRACT FROM THE ACTI LUDI NEWSLETTER VOLUME 15/15 21 MAY 2010
FROM THE HEADMASTER
The College community including the inaugural SSC FARA Olympics
Market Research Parent Survey (Extract from the College website. www.saintstephenscollege.net.au)
“Thank you to parents who completed the recent market survey. The response rate was very impressive – far better than one would nor-
mally expect, so we have reliable feedback on which to base our decisions. Our average score was 4.13 overall. I will be looking more
carefully at the individual questions and your additional comments in the next few weeks. Thank you again for taking the time to give
us your feedback”
Jamie Dorrington
Headmaster
The College continued with an extensive building program. This included a new staff centre and lecture theatre (above & below right), covering the multipurpose courts. The Multi purpose sports hall & dance studio was partly funded by education building stimulus grants.
March 2011 Market Research Report
March 2011 Market Research Report
Saint Stephen‟s College strives to be leaders in curriculum innovation. (below right)
During 2010 the National Interactive Whiteboard Convention was hosted at the College. (below left)
As well, considerable emphasis was placed on curriculum mapping in preparation for the implementation of the National
Curriculum and Habits of Mind.
March 2011 Market Research Report
College Staff 2010
College Board
Chairman
Most Reverend John Hepworth, PhD, BA Hons, BTh, GradDip REd Board Members
Dr Murray Evans, TSTC, BCom, MEd, PhD
Mr Peter Hollett Mr Cec Munns, AM, BA, M Lit St, DipTeach, MACE, FQIEA
Mr Aaron Simpson, Barrister-at-Law (Qld & High Court) Mr John Somerset, BCom, Grad Dip App Fin & Inv, ACA, GAICD,
F Fin
Mrs Karen St George, REIQ, JP(Qual) Executive Management
Headmaster
Mr Jamie Dorrington, BA DipEd, MA, MEd Admin, MBA Commercial Manager
Mrs Dolores Santosa, BBus, CPA Deputy Headmaster
Mr Andrew Bell, BEd, PDHPE(Hons), MACEL Assistant to the Headmaster - International Education
Ms Sam Holmes, BEd, LOTE(Japanese), TESOL Assistant to the Headmaster - Teaching & Learning Innovations
Ms Rosalyn Comport, DipTeach, TESOL, BPD/H/PE Assistant to the Headmaster - Administration & Compliance
Mr Bob Nicol, BA, DipEd Human Resource Manager
Mr Ray Jackson, MBA, BSc, DipEd, GradDipCompEd, MACE Dean of Junior College and
Head of Consolidations Programme (Years 4 to 6)
Mrs Kylie Waide, BEd, MEd Director of Studies
Ms Sherrie Cuthbert, BEd, MEd, MACEL Chaplain
Fr Andrew Kinmont, BEng (Hons) T/OSA Corporate Staff
Director of Child Care Centre
Mrs Pauline Bailey, Adv DipEdCC Director of Enrolments
Mrs Mary Wells, BA, JP (Qual) Director of Community Relations
Mrs Paula Axford-Wood, Dip Acc Accountant
Mrs Surong Ge, BCom, BBus, CPA Information Technology Manager
Mr David Craft, BInfTech, MCP Office Manager
Mrs Riana Hay, Dip Acc Headmaster’s Personal Assistant
Ms Carolyn Brickell, Dip HR Mgmt, JP (Qual)
Heads of Programme Coordinator of Preparatory Programme
Mrs Teena Nienaber, BEd Head of Foundations Programme (Prep to Year 3)
Mr Brian Fischer, BEd (EC) Head of Connections Programme (Years 7 & 8)
Mr Geoff Smith, DipTeach, BEd, MACE
Heads of Department Head of Information Services
Mrs Annie White, MLI (Teacher Librarianship), BEd, DipTeach(Hons) Director of Sport
Mr Rod Seib, BEd Head of Health, Physical Education & Per-sonal Development
Mr Glenn Amezdroz, MEd, BEd, DipPhysEd Head of Humanities (Shared position)
Mrs Gaye Affleck, BEc, DipEd, MEd
Ms Jacqlyn Cassidy, BA, DipEd Head of English
Ms Kate Naug, BEd Head of Mathematics
Mr Robert Maksoud, BAppSci (Math), DipEd Director of eLearning
Mr Peter West, BEd, DipTeach Head of Physical Sciences
Mr David Wyatt, BSc, DipEd Head of Arts and Applied Technology
Samantha Reynolds, Bed, Cert IV Training and Assessment Head of Music
Mrs Kai-Stefanie Lorimer, BMus, BEd, Grad Cert (Aural Musicianship), AYMF Head of Pastoral Care (Prep to Year 6)
Mr Chris Gray, DipTeach, MACE Head of Learning Support
Mrs Cherie Bunting, BEd, MSp.Ed Heads of Year
Head of Year 12 – Mr Gavin Neuper, BA, HDE Head of Year 11 – Mrs Danielle Goucher, BA, GradCert(Econ), GradDipTeach
Head of Year 10 – Mr Iain Taylor, BSci, GradDip of Secondary Education –
Semester II Head of Year 10 – Mr Shilo Mahoney BEd, BSc, GradDipSci (Chem) – Semes-
ter I Head of Year 9 – Mrs Robyn Norrlin, DipTeach, BA, M Couns
Director of Student Leadership
Mr Daniel Saw, BA App Sci (Enviro), DipEd Subject Coordinators
Coordinator of Learning Enrichment
Mrs Karen Doyle, BSc (Hons) BEd, GradCert (Gifted and Talented),COGE (Cert Gifted Education)
Acting Coordinator of LOTE Mrs Danielle Goucher, BA,GradCert,(Econ),GradDipTeach Coordinator of Film and Television
Mrs Sandra Lipinski, MEd, Cert Graphic Design, DipEd, BA Arts Coordinator of Drama
Mr Stuart Colburn-Mayne, Cert IV Training and Assessment, BA Arts, BEd Coordinator of Student Learning Services
Mrs Nonita Saint, DipEd, Dip TESL, NZTTC, BEd Coordinator of Sport (Prep to Year 3)
Mrs Prue Davies, BEd (PhysEd) – Semester I Mrs Lindy Culverwell, BEd, BExSc, Masters of Sports Coaching – Semester II Coordinator of Visual Art
Ms Nicole Scott, BEd, BA CI
College Counsellor
Mrs Daleen Engelbrecht, BAEd, BEd(Psych), MEd(Psych) Careers Advisor
Mr David Bear, BTeach, MEd Heads of House Bell - Mr Gavin Neuper, BA, HDE,
Greasley - Belinda Eckstein, BEd, BExSc Haley - Mr Daniel Saw, BA App Sci (Enviro), DipEd
Hughes - Mr Iain Taylor, BSci, GradDip of Secondary Education - Semester II
Hughes - Mr Shilo Mahoney BEd, BSc, GradDipSci (Chem) – Semester I
STAFF INFORMATION
Saint Stephen‟s College is an equal opportunity employer.
From the end of 2009 92.2% of staff were retained in 2010 .
The attendance rate for teaching staff in 2010 was 97.2%.
Teaching Staff Miss Rebekah Adams, BEd (EC) (Hons) Mrs Anne Balik, BEd
Mrs Rebekah Barrie, BEd, BA (Info Studies) Mrs Kellie Bell,BEd
Ms Sam Birch, BAQTS (Hons) Miss Debbie Booth, BA, DipEd
Mr Nick Boyle, BEd Mrs Elizabeth Chapman, BEd, BTeach
Mrs Shanine Collavino, BEd
Mr Sydney Daniels, Cert IV Training and Assessment, MBA, GDip –Secondary
Mr Patrick Dare, BAppSc (Hons) GDipBus, MBA, DipEd Mr Bohdan Davison, BMus, PCEd
Miss Kerrie Doolan, BA Arts, BEd Mrs Joanne Garvin, DipTeach
Mr Alex Georgiadis, BEd Mrs Nikki Georgiadis, BEd, CertREd
Mr Kevin de Goede, HDE (Commerce)
Mrs Kristie Gray, BEd Mrs Kim Hallam, BEd (EC), JP (Qual)
Mrs Jane Harris, BEd Mr David Hendrickson, BA (History),
DipEd Mrs Glenys Heslin, DipTeach, MEd, GradCertSpEd
Mrs Rebecca Horry, BA(Hons), Grad DipEd
Mrs Marianne Huxley, BEd Miss Jacinta Hyman, BEd, BExSc
Mrs Karen Innes, BPhysEd, DipTeach Mrs Kerrie Jermyn, BEd
Miss Renee Jones, BEd Mrs Michaela Joseph, BA LAL,BEd
Mrs Lisa Kirkwood, HDE (Jun), FDE (Spec. Needs) Mrs Felicity Lear, BSc Hons, MSc, GradDipEd, GradDipGeosci
Mr Keith Leitch, BSc, MEd
Mr Stuart Mattress, Dip Building Design, GradDipEd, BA Japanese Mrs Katrina McLachlan, BEd
Mrs Kayla Lewis, BEd Mrs Lynn Marx, BEd, BA, HDE
Mr Matthew Noel, BEd, BTeach Mr Keiichiro Onoe, GDipEd, BInfTech, DipBus
Mr Matteo Parente, BEd, BSc, MSc (Med Phys)
Mr Glenn Pyne, EdS, GradDipEd, BSc, MS Miss Briohny Quartermaine, DipEd, BA Health Science
Mr Mark Rees, GradDipL&T, BEnvSc Mrs Katrina Riley, BEd
Mrs Judy Russell, BEd (Hons) Mrs Aileen Seidman, BEd (Mod Lang)
Ms Shelley Spargo, BSc, BA, GradDipEd Mr Barry Snigg, MEd, BSc.(Hons), BA, DipEd
Mrs Michelle Stevens, BA, DipEd
Mrs Carmel Stolarchuk, BEd Mrs Laura Sullivan, BEd
Mrs Katrina Thomson, BEd Miss Anne Trethewey, BEd, BTeach
Miss Melissa Tronc, BEd Miss Kate Torode, BEd
Mrs Kirsty Trezise, BEd Mr Kelvin van Niekerk, BA DipTeach
Mr Neill Whittington, BEd
Miss Natalie Wong, BMus, Grad DipEd Ms Bernadette Zahra, BVa GradBEd
Miss Tamara Zinglemann, BA of CI (Drama), BA, DipEd
ELICOS
Mrs Sharon Edwards, HDE, FDE RemEd, BA, GradDipTeachTESOL
Ms Imogene Dern, BA, GradDipEd, Cert IV TESOL ESL
Mrs Hazel Saunders-Bass, BA, DipEd, Cert IV TESOL School Marshall
Mick Skehan, BEd
VET Coordinator and Liaison Officer- Elite Sport Programmes
Mr Rob Stewart, GradDipEd, BA Buss, GradDip Journalism College Nurse/Rehabilitation Coordi-nator
Mrs Hilary Miller, Dip Nursing Sci-ence, Midwifery,
Psychiatric and community health nurs-
ing Musician in Residence
Mr Sam Konise, MMus, BMus Perf Head of Year 3 Strings
Mr Ben Singh, MMus, GradDip Instr Music, BMus
Visiting Tutors Brass
Mr Michael Connors, BMus, GradDip Ed Mr Joseph Roberts, BMus Guitar/Keyboard
Mr Juan Garcia, TSMT (Argentina) Percussion
Mr Wesley Ong, BMus Dist Piano
Miss Ashleigh Miles, BEd Speech and Drama
Mrs Linda van Viersen, ATCL, LTCL Taekwondo
Mr Stephen Brown Voice (Singing)
Mrs Caroline Taylor, BMT, NMus ST Woodwind
Mr Gerrit Bon, UPLM Art
Mrs Betty Bibby – DipArt Chess
Mr Mark Greenwood Dance
Ms Leigh Elliot – A(Dip) CSA-CICB, Cert IV Double Bass
Mr Paul O‟Brien, BMus Suzuki Strings
Miss Caitlin Lacy – Gr 7 AMEB Teacher Aides
Mrs Kylie Allan
Mrs Tandy Arnold, Cert III Ed Supp Mrs Jane Coudrey
Mrs Wendy Daniels
Mrs Roz Hacking, Cert III Children‟s Services
Mrs Marina Jacovou-Johnson, BA (Art), DipCmntyServices Mrs Julie Larsen, Cert III Ed Supp
Mrs Marina Loborec Mrs Annette McDonald
Mrs Janet McHugh,Cert III Ed Supp
Mrs Donna McManimm Mrs Christine McNeill, Cert IV Ed Supp
Mrs Judith Moller Mrs Claudia Saint Clair, Cert III Ed Supp
Qualifications of teachers and School Leaders
Qualification Percentage of classroom teachers
and school leaders at the school
Doctorate 0%
Masters 19.4%
Bachelor Degree 79.6%
Diploma 1%
Expenditure on Professional Development
The total funds expended on professional development in 2010 was $78 530.
The expenditure per teaching staff member was $762.43
Teacher Participation in Professional Development
The major professional development initiatives were Interactive Whiteboards, the implementation of the Dimensions of Learning framework, curriculum development including National Curriculum mapping, QSA and Subject specific work-
shops, a mentor in residence for a curriculum and teaching review, workplace health and safety and cyber bullying.
The involvement of the teaching staff in professional development activities during 2010 was 100% with all staff attending at least two professional developments learning days and achieving the required 30 hours of continuing professional develop-
ment mandated by the Queensland College of Teachers.
Contact person for further information:
The school-based contact person for further information on the school and its policies is Mr Bob Nicol, Assistant to the Headmaster Administration and Compliance. Phone 07 5573 8612 or email [email protected]
Key Student Outcomes Apparent Retention Rate
The Year 12 student enrolment as a percentage of the Year 10 cohort in 2008 was 101.7%. The three year running average on Apparent Retention Rate was 88.93%.
Average Student Attendance Rate: The average student attendance rate as a percentage in 2010 was 95.24%.
Parents are required inform the College of student absence and the reason for the absence. The College contacts parents by phone or SMS if not informed by parents. Electronic rolls are marked each lesson.
NAPLAN
From the Headmaster (Acta Ludi Newsletter 17 September 2010)
NAPLAN Results
I spent Monday morning analysing the excellent results from the NAPLAN test held
earlier this year. Our average scores were always above both the Queensland and Na-
tional benchmarks and, in most cases, the gap was quite large. Having recognised this
excellent result, I do not want to change the message I have always sent about tests
such as these. They are primarily designed to identify students in need of additional
assistance. Our classroom teachers and learning support staff had already identified
those students needing this kind of assis-
tance, so the test did not provide any
revelations. However, it did highlight that all students are capable of meeting
and exceeding the benchmarks if students, teachers and parents are prepared to
work together. I doubt there are many schools that offer the same blend of pro-
grammes designed to promote academic, cultural, sporting and spiritual devel-
opment.
Year
level
Cohort size & Average attendance rate for each year level as a
percentage in 2010
Year
level
Cohort size & Average attendance rate for each year level as a
percentage in 2010
Year 1 Cohort 84 95.64% Year 7 Cohort 114 95.64%
Year 2 Cohort 85 94.52% Year 8 Cohort 112 96.16%
Year 3 Cohort 85 94.85% Year 9 Cohort 106 95.28%
Year 4 Cohort 88 95.40% Year 10 Cohort 146 97.00%
Year 5 Cohort 98 94.91% Year 11 Cohort 111 94.97%
Year 6 Cohort 100 95.20% Year 12 Cohort 120 92.86%
2010 NAPLAN Comparative Report
NATIONAL
AVERAGE
STATE AVER-
AGE SSC AVERAGE
% ABOVE NATIONAL
AVERAGE
Yr.3
Reading 414.3 392.7 426 2.8%
Writing 418.6 402.3 434 3.8%
Spelling 399.2 371.3 415 4.0%
Grammar/ Punctuation 416.9 398.0 458 10.0%
Numeracy 395.3 378.2 412 4.3%
Yr.5
Reading 487.3 468.3 519 6.5%
Writing 485.2 471.6 524 8.0%
Spelling 487.1 467.7 517 6.1%
Grammar/Punctuation 499.7 482.9 534 7.0%
Numeracy 488.7 473.5 535 9.6%
Yr.7
Reading 546.0 537.1 577 5.6%
Writing 533.4 530.8 576 8.0%
Spelling 544.6 535.2 583 7.1%
Grammar/Punctuation 535.1 528.9 558 4.2%
Numeracy 547.7 545.7 573 4.7%
Yr.9
Reading 573.6 564.1 591 3.1%
Writing 567.7 564.0 601 5.9%
Spelling 578.4 572.9 600 3.8%
Grammar/Punctuation 578.8 573.3 593 2.5%
Numeracy 584.9 576.7 616 5.4%
Curriculum in action at SSC
NAPLAN Results 2006—2010
The data tracks two Saint Stephen’s College cohorts as they have progressed through NAPLAN tests from 2006 to 2010.
Please note the 2006 NAPLAN test only assessed Reading, Writing and Numeracy. From 2008 the test was expanded to also
assess Spelling and Grammar/Punctuation.
Key for data
SSC Average result
SSC percentage above/below the State & National averages
State and National average result
Read down each column to view the progression in results in successive NAPLAN tests by particular cohorts .
SSC 510
+8.9% +4.9%
State 468
National 486.4
Reading Writing Spelling Grammar & Punctuation
Numeracy
Year 3 2006
SSC 562 SSC 563 Not tested in 2006 Not tested in 2006 SSC 554
+5.05% +7.85% +4.72%
State 535
National State 522
National State 529
National
Year 5 2008
SSC 520 SSC 510 SSC 499 SSC 520 SSC 507
+11.3% +7.4% +8.9% +4.9% +8.2% +3% +9.0% +4.8% +10.9% +6.5%
State 467
National 484.3
State 468
National 486.4
State 461
National 483.6
State 477
National 496
State 457
National 475.7
Year 7 2010
SSC 577 SSC 576 SSC 583 SSC 558 SSC 573
+7.4% +5.6% +8.5% +8.0% +8.9% 7.1% +5.5% +4.3% +5.0% +4.6%
State 537.1
National 546.0
State 530.8
National 533.4
State 535.2
National 544.6
State 528.9
National 535.1
State 545.7
National
547.7
Reading Writing Spelling
Grammar & Punctuation Numeracy
Year 5 2006
SSC 619 SSC 644 Not tested in 2006 Not tested in 2006 SSC 621
+1.8% +2.7% +3.7%
State 608
National State 627
National State 599
National
Year 7 2008
SSC 545 SSC 543 SSC 558 SSC 535 SSC 571
+3.02% +1.6% +4.2% +1.7% +5.8% +3.6% +3.08% +1.13% +5.7% +4.7%
State 529
National 536.6
State 521
National 533.7
State 527
National 538.6
State 519
National 529
State 540
National
544.9
Year 9 2010
SSC 591 SSC 601 SSC 600 SSC 593 SSC 616
+4.8% +3.03% +6.6% +5.9% +4.7% +3.73% +3.43% +2.45% +6.81% +5.32%
State 564.1
National 573.6
State 564
National 567.7
State 572.9
National 578.4
State 573.3
National 578.8
State 576.7
National
584.9
YEAR 12 RESULTS
From The Headmaster (Acta Ludi Newsletter VOLUME 16/1 28 JANUARY 2011)
A great set of Year 12 results:
Our Year 12 students always produce some excellent results, and the Class of 2010 was no exception. Six of our students were awarded an OP 1 and another two were awarded an OP 2, but have been awarded an equivalent of an OP of 1 by
QTAC because of their performance in either Maths C or a LOTE. This effectively means that eight of our graduates have open access to any tertiary course from the long list available. 21.18% of the group were awarded an OP between 1 and 5 compared to 19.02% for the state. This means we outperformed
the state by a significant amount. The performance in the OP 1-10 band was even more impressive, with 51.76% of our stu-dents in this group, compared to 46.02% for the state. This means that our median OP score was 10, compared to a median of 11 for the state. The difference does not sound like much, but we are talking about scores on a normal distribution curve,
so the difference between a median of 10 and 11 represents 3,322 students. In effect, our average tertiary applicant will be 3,322 places ahead of his or her competitors in the queue for a tertiary place.
Outcomes for our Year 12 cohort 2010
Number of students awarded a Senior Statement 102
Number of students awarded a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement 0
Number of students who received an Overall Position (OP) 85
Number of students or are completing or completed a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT) 9
Number of students awarded one or more Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications 24
Number of students awarded a Queensland Certificate of Education at the end of Year 12 92
Number of students awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) 0
Percentage of Year 12 students who received an OP1-15 or an IBD 75%
Percentage of Year 12 students who are completing or completed a SAT or were awarded one or more of the following:
QCE, IBD, VET qualification 94%
Percentage of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) applicants receiving an offer 90%
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
SSC % State %
OP 1 - 5
OP 1 - 5
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
SSC % State %
OP 1 - 10
OP 1 - 10
Year 12, 2010
Value Added Features at Saint Stephen’s College
Percentage Improvement in Benchmark Testing over time
There have been improvements in benchmark testing in most classes. The students at the Col-
lege consistently outperform the state average and all but a few students achieved scores above
the benchmark. There is a comprehensive programme in place to identify and provide appro-
priate learning support and extension work to students. Considerable emphasis is placed on students participating in national academic competitions, to provide students with feedback on
their potential and performance on a national scale.
Scope to Extra-Curricular Programmes
Students from Year 4 upwards are involved in the Association of Private Schools (APS) sports programme. All students participate in
two seasons of team sport in the APS competition, and have the opportunity to represent the College in swimming, cross country and
athletics. Students are also offered the opportunity to be involved in debating, music, drama, public speaking, community service,
Duke of Edinburgh, and various other activities.
Specialist programmes showing improved outcomes for students with disabilities
The College offers a variety of programmes designed to support students with disabilities and offers Individual Education Programmes
where appropriate.
Provision of extension programmes such as university courses available to senior students
A number of students are enrolled in programmes at Griffith and Bond Universities. These students are able to obtain credit for univer-
sity degrees. Selected younger students are exposed to extension activities to promote thinking processes. An Orientation Week for all
Year 11 and 12 students, involving guest speakers and team tasks, was held at the start of the school year to foster critical thinking
skills.
Professional Learning to Improve Student Outcomes
A significant amount of staff time has been devoted to conducting professional learning for staff both on and off campus. The emphasis
in 2010 was to utilise experts in residence for the staff to access, in particular in implementing Habits of Mind and Intentional Teaching.
Professional learning helps enable staff to deliver cutting edge educational strategies and promote the College pastoral care programme.
Expenditure on and Teacher Participation in Professional Development
A significant proportion of the teaching staff maintain membership in QSA District Review Panels for Year 11 and 12 subjects. During
2010 four members of staff held positions as District Review Panel Chairs.
Specific programmes in relation to student welfare, life skills, building confidence and self esteem
The College offers a variety of programmes to both students and parents to promote peer support and to minimise bullying. The Col-
lege‟s camp programmes aim to increase self esteem, self confidence and team skills. During 2010 the implementation of Dimensions
of Learning continued as a framework for the College‟s academic and pastoral care programmes.
Programmes to assist student in tertiary entry or entry to the workforce
The College offers students the opportunity to be involved in work experience and traineeships. Considerable time was devoted to
training and informing staff, students and parents for the implementation of SET plans for Year 10 students as a part of obtaining their
Queensland Certificate of Education.
Facilities
All of the College‟s classrooms are fully air conditioned, providing students with comfortable learning environments to enhance stu-
dents‟ opportunities to achieve their potential. The building programme over the past twelve months has added a new staff and student
welfare centre, roof for the multipurpose courts and a multi purpose hall including two courts, a gym, classrooms and a dance studio.
How Computers are used to Assist Learning
Students have access to computers throughout the College. The College has five class sized computer labs, and another four annexes in
Consolidations (Years 7 and 8), as well as pods of laptop computers in many classrooms. Most classrooms have either a fixed data
projector or an interactive whiteboard. The teaching staff each have a laptop computer. Training and staff professional development
continues to complement the high rate of use of technology in the classrooms.
Headmaster’s Address - Speech Night 2010 Special guests, ladies and gentlemen, students of the College, Welcome to this ceremony marking the end of another busy and highly suc-cessful year at Saint Stephen‟s College. When we returned for the start of 2010
we saw, amongst other things, the construction site for our Multi Purpose Hall. We had always planned such a facility, but, as you are aware, the Common-wealth government‟s determination to stimulate the economy meant that large
schools such as ours were eligible for a grant of $3m, so we acted quickly to contribute over $3m of the school‟s own funds to develop a fantastic building complete with dance studio, gymnasium, two courts, retractable seating, office,
sound and lighting equipment, canteen and two classrooms that can also double as a stage.
As we leave at the end of 2010 we are witnessing the start of another facility – our „iCentre‟ and Art Studio being build adjacent to the Resource Centre. This facility, which will open late next year, will contain individual and group learning areas, all
with access to the latest technology, including two interactive thinking tables that have just been developed by a major educational provider in Singapore. I want the „iCentre‟ to be a place where students are guided in their research and collabora-
tion, a real beehive of activity with students coming and going with purposeful intent. The top floor of the building will provide much needed facilities for visual art. This open area, which is roughly the size of 3 classrooms, is designed as a
flexible work area and art gallery. The undercroft, which will include seating areas and a remodeled canteen, will be designated as The Seniors‟ Common. Next year‟s
Year 11 and 12 students should note the absence of the work „room‟ after the word „common‟. I have never seen a seniors‟
common room in which the cockroaches didn‟t outnumber the students, so if we are going to give the seniors a common area, we should pay due respect to the environment and allow the cockroaches to be free range.
Beyond that we have plans for a LOTE Centre. This two story building will include two small lecture theatres, group and individual work areas, video conferencing facilities, and help desks on each floor. We hope to commence this building late next year, but it may be delayed until 2012. I am
very proud of this innovative design and, when it is complete, I would like to see it used for evening language classes for those mums and dads who might like to learn a foreign language.
The campus will be complete when we manage to remove the Main Administration building in order to create open pace. There are plans to put a swimming pool in that
space, but I think we should wait to see what happens with the proposed aquatic centre to be built near the Coomera Station. I know most parents like the idea of a pool, and so do the students, until it comes time to go swimming! In any event a new admin building is several years off so we have time to consider our options. The heavy
machinery should also be here soon – this time to complete the car park. I won‟t say too much about this tonight, because I remember making promises I could not keep this time last year, only to see the proposal bogged down in GCCC processes. Let‟s just hope we come back to a nice surprise next January, and if we do we should all be grateful for the assistance given
to us by counselor Donna Gates who is with us tonight.
The Multii Purpose Hall and covered courts were part of what the government refers to as Building the Education Revolu-
tion (BER). The other major lot of funding came in the form of the Digital Education Revolution (DER). We have used these funds to purchase lap tops that will be deployed in various departments throughout the College. I see us eventually moving to a model where each
student has his or her own device, but I believe, as do many others, that the device is likely to be more like the next generation of iPad than a lap top. It is too early to rely on the mobile technology, but I envisage we will make such a
move within three years. In making these decisions I remind myself of the need to employ a model that is both functional and affordable, so we will take the appropriate step at the appropriate time. In
the meantime we are pouring resources into preparing our teachers to truly in-tegrate the best technology into their teaching, including deploying interactive
white boards, which have been so successful in the Years 1-6 classes, into the Connections rooms next year.
I am pleased to report these developments to you. They indicate that we are in a position
to support the Board and my determination to further develop our campus, which is al-
ready one of the most attractive and functional in Queensland and, from what I have seen,
matched by possibly only one other school on the Gold Coast. We would never have been
in this position if we did not have a board and parent body that was prepared to embrace a
vision. I thank you, the parents, the Board and, in particular, Mrs Santosa the Commercial
manager who has had oversight of every project, for building this magnificent campus.
I have said many times that what is most important in schools is people, not buildings.
How then do we assess the quality of our people? Well, we
don‟t do it by just focusing on exam results. I am not suggesting that exam results are not im-
portant. They are! Academic achievement is and should remain a key focus of any school and I
believe, for reasons I will explain in a minute, that it will become more important in the future.
What I am saying is that there is more to great schools than academic results and there is no way
that the reporting of results can adequately assess any school. I make this point tonight because
the NAPLAN results are about to be made public through the MySchool website, and there is
likely to be an attempt by the press to create a schools‟ league table.
We received our 2010 NAPLAN results around Saint Stephen‟s Day this year. I remember
speaking to the staff that afternoon to congratulate them on a very good set of results, (in fact they were exceptional). I made
the point that some parents do look at that site to compare schools and they might use that data alone to assess us, unless t hey
had been here for Saint Stephen‟s Day. Saint Stephen‟s Day and the Final Chapel for Year 12 are always wonderful days, but
this year they were even more special. I challenge anyone from any school to match our student‟s spirit, support for each other,
authenticity and common courtesy. Our spirit is not quantifiable. It has to be experienced.
Ladies and gentlemen, there are three things I expect of students at Saint Stephen‟s College:
Firstly, “Treat other people with respect”. I would be foolish to stand before you tonight and claim that this occurs with
100% of the students 100% of the time. I can remember a number of occasions this year when I praised our students only to
have one of the pastoral care team come to me a day or so later with what, to us, was some kind of bomb shell. This is when I
have to remind myself that we are dealing with young people who are entitled to make mistakes. That is
what growing up is about, and maturity comes learning from those mistakes. There are, to be honest,
some mistakes we will not tolerate and, when necessary, I exercise my authority to remove people
whose actions or words endanger what we have all worked so hard to build. But these instances are ex-
tremely rare. Almost without exception our students do what is reasonable because it is reasonable and I
thank them sincerely for their cooperation.
The second expectation is “Fulfill your commitments”. I know this is an area where the students
have improved, but there is still a way to go. There are so many opportunities hare at SSC. Some of
them are compulsory, but most are not. All we ask is that, if you choose to be part of something, you don‟t let other people
down. Here is one reason why this dimension of your character, which we call integrity, is important: I am not sure if you have
been keeping abreast of the news from Ireland. It appears that Ireland, which until recently was booming, will join Greece in
needing assistance to deal with its banking crisis. It is possible that Portugal, Spain and Italy could
follow. This means that the
European economy could be plunged into crisis in the next few months. If this happens there will be
global repercussions. I make this point not to scare you but to remind you that in tough times, as a mat-
ter of fact, in normal times, employers expect employees to be punctual, courteous, determined, reli-
able, and conscientious. People of integrity will weather the economic trials much better than people
who believe the world revolves around them. We must continue to work together to ensure that Saint
Stephen‟s College graduates can thrive in an increasingly challenging world.
The final expectation is “Do the best you can”. The problem here is that no one really knows what that is. Teachers some-
times write reports that encourage you to “work to your potential”, but they are not absolutely sure where that is. The fact is
that you will never reach that point. Even elite athletes work consistently to shave 1/00 th of a second off their time. And when
they shave off that 100th they go for another one. Their coaches‟ job is to acknowledge their individual and team achievements,
challenge them to take the next step, and provide them with specific instruction as to how they can get that little bit extra, be it
with a golf swing or a swim stroke. Our agenda next year is for our teachers to play the role of
professional coach while also caring for you and fostering your development as a person of char-
acter. Even though I will lead others tonight in recognizing your achievement, I know for a fact
that you have not yet fulfilled your boundless potential.
I have spoken on many occasions, both to parents and to students, about the notion of global competition. It is not a thing of the
future; it has been with us for some time. And it permeates every aspect of our lives. A few weeks ago the news services re-
ported a practice in which unscrupulous Australian students send their assignments to India to be completed. What is this tell-
ing you? Might it be telling you that there are people in India (actually millions of them) who are just as smart (if not smarter)
than Australian students? Do you understand that Australian students are employing Indian students to do their work because
they do it quicker that we are prepared to? Has it occurred to you that your global competitors are able to do the work of more
than one Australian student simultaneously because they are more determined to succeed? Do you realize that a large number
of your contemporaries, prepared to work quicker, smarter, and for less money might actually represent significant competition?
Consider also the fact that these students are able to match your ability for less pay, even though most of them have had no-
where near the same educational opportunities as you. As Australians we need to remember that success in a global community
comes with hard work over long periods of time. Ladies and gentlemen, The government has branded their policies a
„revolutions‟. Personally, I struggle to see how any of them, helpful as they are, are revolutionary. In any event, what we need
is not revolutions, but resolutions. We must resolve to face to the challenges that await us, to continue to work together as a
community, and to coach our students to new levels of achievement that hold up against the best in the world.
There are a number of people I want to thank before I close. I thank the Board and the College Executive for their support, es-
pecially my Deputy Andrew Bell. I thank all the members of staff, particularly those who work behind the scenes for making
this year such a success and Mrs Brickell for support she has given me personally and for her work, together with Mrs Axford-
Wood, Mr Marshall and the wonderful Bio Box crew, Mrs Lorimer, Mr Davidson, and the maintenance, grounds and cleaning
team led by Mr McKay throughout the year. I thank you, the parents, for your faith in our College. There are a few staff leaving
us at the end of the year: Mr Amezdros is leaving us to work closer to home in Brisbane, Mrs Joseph will not be returning to us
after she finishes her maternity leave, and Mr Smith has accepted a position as Deputy Principal at an independent school on the
Sunshine Coast. I am pleased to announce that Mr Saw will be the Head of Connections next year. Ms Christie, one of our
cleaning staff is retiring at the end of the year. A number of other teachers finish their contract with us at the end of the term and
I will be thanking them when staff leave at the end of next week. Please join with me in thanking all of these people for their
contribution and wishing them well for the future.
Finally, I want to thank the students of Saint Stephen‟s College. No Headmaster could be more proud of his students. You are
a fine group of boys and girls, young men and women. On the bottom of our stationery and on many of our signs are written the
words “There is something about a Saint Stephen‟s student.” I always smile when, unprompted, peo-
ple insert the word “special” to say “There is something SPECIAL about a Saint Stephen‟s student.”
How apt! You are indeed very special, not just to your parents, but to your teachers, each other and to
me. Each of you makes a unique contribution to our College.
I will before I leave the lectern to go back to the issue of construction, to alert you to Phase 1 of a pro-
ject that started this year on Saint Stephen‟s Day and is due for completion in 2101. On Saint
Stephen‟s Day this year student representatives of the graduating classes from our first group in 2001
to last year‟s Class of 2009 unveiled brass plaques containing the names of each graduating student.
These plaques are now permanently attached to the pillars around the quad. This year‟s graduates unveiled their plaque at the
Final Chapel and it will soon take its place alongside the one from 2009.
We had them made from brass to stand the test of time. While some people your age leave their mark in the form of graffiti that
can be painted over, you will leave your mark, etched in brass, holding pride of place for eternity. If we use four sides of each
pillar in the quad we will eventually have 100 plaques engraved with the names of people who were part of the first century o f
Saint Stephen‟s College. For this reason I would like to rename the quad “The Centenary Courtyard”
I realized while I was writing this that if each of my successors serves an average of ten years, I will leave the 11 th Head of Saint
Stephen‟s College with a problem – where to find space for the second phase of the project; the next group of 100 plaques.
Well, I consider myself to be reasonably conscientious, but I think I will leave that problem for another time.
Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you enjoy tonight‟s celebration. Have a
wonderful Christmas and return refreshed and full of resolve to make 2011
another great year for Saint Stephen‟s College.
Next Step Survey Results
The Department of Education and Training conducts the „Next Step‟ survey to provide the school community with infor-
mation about the destinations of students who completed Year 12 in 2010. Of the 119 Saint Stephen‟s College graduates,
71responded to the survey. Below are the key outcomes of the survey.
Figure 1: Main destination of Year 12 students responding to the Next Step Survey
Figure 2: Main destinations of Year 12 completers, by gender
Figure 3: Comparison of Year 12 destinations for Saint Stephen’s College, Gold Coast West, Gold Coast and Queensland
Figure 4: Comparison over time for main destinations of Year 12 Saint Stephen’s College students
Figure 5: Post-school tertiary institutions of Year 12 Figure 6: Field of study for Year 12 completers, by gender
Figure 7: Occupational groups for Year 12 completers, by gender
Statewide and regional reports are available on the Education Department website at www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep.