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Principal’s foreword
Introduction
In 2007 Coombabah made significant progress in a number of areas. The level of communication with parents, design of the Year 8 timetable and implementation of a formal academic review process are specific examples.
Processes and practices continued to be enhanced to identify and cater for student needs and therefore ensure placement in the appropriate learning environments for holistic development and learning.
Networking and establishment of links were continued with businesses, community groups and other education sectors, thus providing pathways and learning experiences for our students.
Future outlook
· In planning for 2008 there are a number of specific areas that Coombabah will be focusing upon:
· Ensuring all students exit Year 12 with either an OP or VET qualification.
· Continuing to imbed the academic review process across Years 11 & 12.
· Designing timetable and subject choices that meet the needs of students and meet the needs of the expanding student population.
· Redesign the roles of the Administration team and other members of the Leadership team to cater for the additional Deputy Principal as the school is assigned the higher level of Band 11 based on the increased student numbers.
· A full school review and planning for the next three years
· Building strong partnerships with the feeder primary schools to make for smooth transitions to high school and improve the academic outcomes at both the primary and secondary level
School Profile
Total student enrolments for your school : 1203
Year levels offered : 8 - 12
Coeducational or single sex : Coeducational
Curriculum offerings
Our distinctive curriculum offerings
- Orchestra
- Rugby League Excellence
- Sports Excellence
- Certificate III in Allied Health Services
- Certificate III Children’s Services
Numerous specialised programs and excursions occur during the year that students may chose to participate in i.e. driver education program.Coombabah students regularly extend their talents to competitions in the wider community for sport, languages, and specialised skills i.e. at the Gold Coast Show.
How computers are used to assist learning
Computers are used to assist learning across year levels and across the school. This is achieved through:
A well resourced Information Services Building, which has an emphasis on learning technologies in its facilities.An extensive local area computer network that links all buildings.The school is connected to the Internet.Coombabah exceeds the State benchmark by providing one computer for every three students.Introduction of appropriate software and programs to assist learning.Staff gaining professional Development in computer and software usage.
Social Climate
Coombabah has a comprehensive pastoral care program. The air-conditioned Information Services Building houses the school Student Support Centre. The Guidance Counsellor, Industry Liaison Officer, School Nurse, Youth Support Coordinator, Youth Project Officer and Indigenous Student Support Aide are readily accessible to assist students and parents. On-line support is made available to students.The Year Co-ordinators play an integral role in the day to day support of students. They are usually the first point of contact for parents who would like to discuss any aspects of school life. E-mail addresses and direct phone numbers are provided for ease of communication.Coombabah follows the Responsible Thinking Classroom approach to Behaviour Management. This approach encourages students to think about the choices they make and the consequences of those choices. A Planning Centre is provided for students who do not make proper behavioural choices. This ensures that the right of students to learn and teachers to teach is upheld.Further services involve a co-ordinated approach to vocational education, including the adoption of practices leading to students accepting work experience, school based traineeships and apprenticeships.
Involving parents in their child’s education.
Two formal Parent / Teacher / Student interview evenings (March & July).Numerous Parent Information evenings that begin with Year 7 transition and information evenings and progress through the year levels to include subject selection evenings, QCS Test and QCE evenings.Opportunities to celebrate with the community i.e. school assemblies (one per week), awards evenings (both academic and sporting), scholarship recipient evenings.International Program – opportunity for families to host a student from Japan for 10 days and be involved in associated functions held at school.ARC (Academic Rich Curriculum) presentation evenings, for parents to view and participate in their child’s learning.The comprehensive nature of our pastoral care, behaviour management and attendance programs facilitates communication with parents.Our “Reward Scheme” provides both students and parents with positive feedback on their child’s involvement in school life. Sporting, cultural and extra-curricula activities provide opportunities for students to excel.All Year 10 students and their parent(s) are involved in pathway interviews in Term 3 and parents of Year 12 students receive written feedback regarding performance in QCS practice sessions.Student performances including sport, music, dance and art occur throughout the year and provide numerous opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s education.The Coombabah Parents & Citizens Association exists and functions for parents within the school community.The Quality Partnership Week, held in July , when Year 7 students have the opportunity with their parents to attend the school and try out for the various specialist programs i.e. rugby league, music, ARC and Sports Excellence.
Qualifications of All Teachers
Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development.
The major professional development initiatives are as follows:
Upskilling of VET teachers.
Upskilling Mind Matters teachers.
Information Technology skilling and software training.
The involvement of the teaching staff in professional development activities during 2007 was 90 %.
Upskilling on Senior syllabus requirements
Average staff attendance
For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders the staff attendance rate was 96% in 2007.
Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year.
From the end of 2006, 79 % of staff were retained by the school for the entire 2007 school year.
Student attendance
The average attendance rate as a percentage in 2007 was 85 %.
Key outcomes in the senior phase of learning
Apparent retention rates Year 8 to Year 12.
Year 12 student enrolment as a percentage of the Year 8 student cohort was 86%.
Outcomes for our Year 12 cohort of 2007
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Total number of Senior Certificates awarded
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151
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Percentage of Overall Position (OP) -eligible students with OP 1-15
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61%
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Percentage of students awarded Senior Certificates and awarded a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification
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62%
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Percentage of students awarded Senior Certificates with OP-eligibility or awarded a VET qualification
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91%
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Percentage of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) applicants receiving an offer
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93%
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Post-school destination information
At the time of publishing this School Annual Report, the results of the 2008 Year 12 post-school destinations survey, Next Step – Student Destination Report for the school were not available. Information about these post-school destinations of our students will be posted to our website by early September
Other Key Outcomes
Value added
Coombabah is undergoing a period of unprecedented growth. This is seen as a positive as the increased number of students creates greater opportunities and wider subject choice.
The schools growth which is in the lower year levels present staffing opportunities, timetabling structure review, facility development and curriculum changes in the next few years. Planning for this is well advanced.
Improvements in the qualifications of exiting Year 12’s are planned for.
To meet the demands upon the school the timetable was redesigned for Semester 2, 2007. A lesson has been created for all students in which all extra activities that are placed upon the school can be met i.e. QSA, QTAC, Pastoral Care, health & fitness, driver education, guest speakers etc. This will reduce interruption to teaching of the curriculum and improve planning and preparation for these events.
The introduction of a formalised academic review process along with improved attendance monitoring systems and communication regarding behaviour management all contribute to a better informed school community.
Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school
Parents, Teachers and students are satisfied with the learning climate at the school. This is demonstrated by the strong enrolment growth in a very competitive education District.
Staff morale is high and this is evident in their passion for teaching and the interest they show in their students.
The school continues to meet the demands of a changing social and educational climate providing a quality learning environment for all students.
Extra Curricular Activities
Coombabah has an extensive co-curricular program that includes instrumental music tuition, concert band, dancing, mooting, and debating.
Every second year the school holds a musical that involves all year levels.
School performance groups enter Eisteddfods in a number of categories each year and also conduct numerous performances at locations in the community.
Next Step Report 2007
Below you can download the report on the findings of the Queensland Government Next Step survey, which targeted all students who completed Year 12 and gained a Senior Certificate or Certificate of Post-Compulsory School Education in 2007.
Next Step Report 2007
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