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

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.


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%






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%


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%


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


+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


+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


+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.

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