Murrumbeena Primary School
2015 Annual Report to
the School Community
Murrumbeena Primary School
School Number: 3449
Name of School Principal:
Name of School Council President:
Heather Hill
Serren Schindler
1111
Date of Endorsement:
18 April 2016
All Victorian government school teachers meet the registration requirements of the Victorian Institute of
Teaching (www.vit.vic.edu.au).
This school meets prescribed minimum standards for registration as regulated by the Victorian
Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in accordance with the Education and Training Reform
Act 2006, inclusive of those schools granted an exemption by the VRQA under the 'Student enrolment
numbers' and/or 'Curriculum framework for schools - languages program' minimum standards until 31
December 2015.
Murrumbeena Primary School
About Our School
School Context
Murrumbeena Primary School has a strong tradition of excellence within the community, which covers areas of Murrumbeena,
Carnegie, Hughesdale and East Malvern. Most parents are involved in professional occupations and all have high expectations f or
their children’s achievements. The school has an enrolment of approximately 600 students, which is supported by a neighbourho od
boundary. The school has low numbers of families receiving the Educational Maintenance Allowance and a number of students wit h
English as a second language.
The school has 40 equivalent full time staff. Our dedicated staff comprises 2 Principal Class, 35 teachers and 8 support staff who
work in a team environment to support a comprehensive and engaging learning program for all s tudents.
The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) World School, with teaching pedagogy base d
on student-centred inquiry learning with an international perspective. The rigorous curriculum involves students in six inquiry units
per year, which meet the requirements of both the Victorian mandated curriculum and the PYP. Classroom programs are supported
by specialist programs in ICT/ Library, Physical Education, Art, Music and Japanese, and focus on catering for individual learning
styles and abilities. Teachers work in teams to ensure comprehensive planning provides for challenging learning.
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) program is included in the Years 3 and 4 curriculum. It provides an opportunit y
for children to learn sustainable practices through planting, harvesting, preparing and sharing food produced at school.
Achievement
Student learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy well exceed state averages. This is apparent in both the teacher judgement and
NAPLAN results. Results are similar to schools with similar socio-economic backgrounds.
The school is committed to continue a focus on catering to the individual needs of students, with a strong use of data to pla n and
implement targeted learning programs. An environment of high expectations for all students has been established.
The school review in 2015 noted: Murrumbeena Primary School has achieved much over the period of the strategic plan,
particularly in relation to the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, the development of student
wellbeing programs and practices, in addition to achieving strong academic outcomes in both Literacy and Numeracy.
Over the period of the review the school’s performance in both Literacy and Numeracy has been similar to matched Student Family
Occupation (SFO) schools in relation to both teacher judgements and NAPLAN outcomes. 2015 AUSVELS data had 97% -98%
students achieving at or above the expected level.
In 2016, we aim to continue to :
Upskill teachers through rigorous, research-based professional learning
Develop a strong performance and development culture
Further develop school wide collegiate planning and teaching
Collaboratively develop a whole school vision about contemporary pedagogy and space so that consistent classroom practice is
evident across the school.
Engagement
Student engagement is high.
The school places a high emphasis on student engagement through its wellbeing program and also its focus on a student centered
curriculum where Student Voice has high priority.
Students are encouraged to be active learners, following their own interests where possible, within the PYP framework. Goal setting
and self-reflection are encouraged, and reporting to parents includes 3 way conferences (Prep -2) and student led conferences (3-4) ,
where students play a major role. Student-led conferences will be held by all students in 2016. Students actively engage in
metacognitive strategies to reflect on their progress and plan future directions. Year 6 students present an ‘Exhibition’, showcasing
their learning through the PYP program.
The SAKG program engages students in Years 3 and 4 with a real-life learning experience that develops important skills in
cooperation, independence and interdependence, as well as adding authentic experiences to the curriculum.
Formal programs of Buddies (Prep/Year 6), Peer Support (Year 2/6) and Peer Mediation also contribute to the focus on engaging
students. Extracurricular activities include Tournament of Minds, Aerobics, Junior School Council, Chess Club and Tryathlon.
Leadership opportunities occur at all levels, but in particular in Year 6, where students may be appointed as captain or vice -captain of
the school, their house or in a specialist area. Junior School Council has representatives from Years 1 to 6.
Student absence rate is low. Families are encouraged to take vacations in school holiday periods, but a large number of absen ces is
attributed to family holidays.
Further developments in 2016 will be to:
Murrumbeena Primary School
Develop surveys for students and parents for regular feedback to teachers and to guide practice and programs
Ensure professional learning focuses on building staff capacity so that teaching and learning programs are of a high standard
Develop and embed strategies to challenge and support students to extend their learning at their level.
Further develop the use of inquiry learning through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP)
Provide opportunities for students to learn in a range of ways: independently, collaboratively, and as part of a focused team
Wellbeing
A strong focus on student wellbeing underpins the ethos of the school. The school lives through the PYP learner profile attributes and
attitudes which are the basis for our values and wellbeing. The 2015 school review report noted:
The wellbeing of students at Murrumbeena Primary School is, obviously, a prime concern and student survey results atte st to the
success of this focus. The school promotes positive behaviours, mutual respect and cooperation. Wellbeing programs focus on the
development of Social Emotional Learning with a clearly articulated student behaviour management program.
Restorative practices are widely used to encourage reflection, empathy and resolution of issues. All staff have the opportunity to
receive formal training in Restorative Practices, with ‘circle time’ being used in all classrooms to promote discussions, enc ourage
openness and develop a safe and accepting class environment.
Student wellbeing is supported by a wellbeing coordinator and a wellbeing focus group, where teacher representatives meet reg ularly
to discuss and implement appropriate strategies for whole sch ool and classroom wellbeing issues. In 2016, a new professional
learning team will be formed to focus on the Personal and Social Capability of the Victorian Curriculum. This will include a school
wide focus on resilience, mindfulness and encouragement of activities promoting empathy and gratitude throughout the school
community.
The school is a recognised eSmart school, and the school community is constantly involved (through regular communications) in
reinforcing eSmart processes at home. Involvement in the Bully Stoppers program also linked closely to this focus.
Cyber safety policies, initiatives and programs have now become embedded across the school.
Productivity
The school has focused its resources on areas of priority, as ident ified in the Annual Implementation Plan. An example is the school’s
professional development program which had strong emphasis on teachers sharing their practice through the Teacher Professiona l
Learning and Sharing (TPL&S) program which used school funds to employ casual relief teachers to release teachers to view others’
classroom practice and provide feedback. External consultants were employed to address whole staff curriculum days, and also
facilitate smaller group learning, to ensure consistency of co ntent and teaching approaches. New furniture which facilitates more
flexible learning was purchased for both preps and senior classes.
The increasing emphasis on the use of data to provide personalised learning was supported through timetabling of teams planning
together, groupings of students with appropriate learning experiences, and provision of monetary resources to support use of
programs such as SPA and its associated professional programs. Teaching support staff were employed to support both studen ts on
the PSD program and those needing additional assistance. All school curriculum programs were fully funded to ensure adequate
resources supported the learning and teaching programs.
For more detailed information regarding our school please visit our website at
http://www.murrumbeenaps.vic.edu.au/
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
The Government School Performance Summary provides an overview of how this school is contributing to the
objectives of the Education State and how it compares to other Victorian government schools.
All schools work in partnership with their school community to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Sharing this information with parents and the wider school community will help to deliver communit y engagement in
student learning in the school, which is a state-wide priority of the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes.
School Profile
Enrolment Profile
A total of 595 students were enrolled at this school in 2015, 290 female and 305 male.
There were 12% of EAL (English as an Additional Language) students and 0% ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) studen ts.
Overall Socio-Economic Profile
Based on the school's Student Family Occupation index which
takes into account parents' occupations.
Parent Satisfaction Summary
Average level of parent satisfaction with the school, as derived
from the annual Parent Opinion survey. The score is reported on
a scale of 1 to 7, where 7 is the highest possible score.
School Staff Survey
Measures the percent endorsement by staff on school climate
derived from the annual School Staff survey. The percent
endorsement indicates the percent of positive responses (agree
or strongly agree) on school climate from staff at the school.
Data are suppressed for schools with fewer than three
respondents to the survey for confidentiality reasons.
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
Achievement
Student Outcomes
School Comparison
Teacher Assessments from the Australian
Curriculum/Victorian Essential Learning
Standards (AusVELS)
Percentage of students in Years Prep to 6
with a grade of C or above in:


English
Mathematics
The grades are the same as those used in
your child's end of year report.
A 'C' rating means that a student is at the
standard expected at the time of reporting.
Towards Foundation Level AusVELS
Learning gain of students, relative to
expectation in a year, for all students
working within Towards Foundation Level
AusVELS (AusVELS A to D).
Towards Foundation Level AusVELS is
not used for the School Comparison.
Data will not be displayed where less than
10 student assessments were provided.
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
Achievement
NAPLAN Year 3
The percentage of students in the top 3
bands of testing in NAPLAN at Year 3.
Year 3 assessments are reported on a
scale from Bands 1 - 6.
NAPLAN Year 5
The percentage of students in the top 3
bands of testing in NAPLAN at Year 5.
Year 5 assessments are reported on a
scale from Bands 3 - 8.
Student Outcomes
School Comparison
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
Achievement
Student Outcomes
School Comparison
NAPLAN Learning Gain
Year 3 - Year 5
Learning gain of students from Year 3 to
Year 5 in the following domains; Reading,
Numeracy, Writing, Spelling and
Grammar and Punctuation.
NAPLAN learning gain is determined by
comparing a student's current year result
to the results of all ‘similar’ Victorian
students (i.e. students in all sectors in the
same year level who had the same score
two years prior). If the current year result
is in the top 25%, their gain level is
categorised as ‘High’, middle 50%, is
‘Medium’ and bottom 25%, is ‘Low’.
NAPLAN Learning Gain does not
require a School Comparison.
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
Engagement
Student Outcomes
School Comparison
Average Number of Student Absence
Days
Average days absent per full time
equivalent (FTE) student per year.
Common reasons for non-attendance
include illness and extended family
holidays.
Absence from school can impact on
students’ learning. A school comparison
rating of ‘lower’ indicates that the absence
rate in this school is greater than what we
would estimate, given the background
characteristics of their students.
Average 2015 attendance rate by year
level:
Prep
Yr1
Yr2
Yr3
Yr4
Yr5
Yr6
95 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 94 % 94 % 94 %
Murrumbeena Primary School
Performance Summary
Wellbeing
Students Attitudes to School Connectedness to School
Measures the Connectedness to School
factor derived from the Attitudes to School
survey completed annually by Victorian
government school students in Years 5 to
12. The school's average score is
reported here on a scale of 1 to 5, where
5 is the highest possible score.
Students Attitudes to School Student Perceptions of Safety
Measures the Student Perceptions of
Safety factor derived from the Attitudes to
School survey completed annually by
Victorian government school students in
Years 5 to 12. The s chool's average
score is reported here on a scale of 1 to
5, where 5 is the highest possible score.
Student Outcomes
School Comparison
Murrumbeena Primary School
How to read the Performance Summary
What are student outcomes?
What is a School Comparison?
Student outcomes show the achievements of
students in this school in English and Mathematics.
They also show results in national literacy and
numeracy tests and, for secondary colleges, the
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
examinations. They provide important information
about student attendance and engagement at
school.
The School comparison is a way of comparing school
performance that takes into account the different student
intake characteristics of each school.
For secondary colleges, the Performance
Summary also provides information about how
many students at this school go on to further
studies or full-time work after leaving school.
You can see these results for the latest year, as
well as the average of the last four years (where
available).
The Performance Summary also allows you to
compare student outcomes for students at this
school with the outcomes of students in all other
Victorian government schools.
Additionally, NAPLAN learning gain charts are
provided for each of the NAPLAN domains. These
compare a student's current year NAPLAN result
to the results of all ‘similar’ Victorian students (i.e.
students in all sectors in the same year level who
had the same NAPLAN score two years prior).
If the current year result is in the top 25% their gain
level is categorised as ‘High’, the middle 50% is
categorised as ‘Medium’ and the bottom 25% is
categorised as ‘Low’.
Results for students working within Towards
Foundation Level AusVELS (AusVELS A-D) show
the percentages of these students making
progress below, at and above the expectations of
their schools.
A School comparison takes into account the school’s
academic intake, the socio-economic background of
students, the number of Aboriginal students, the number
of non-English speaking and refugee students, the
number of students with a disability, and the size and
location of the school.
The School comparison measures show that most
schools are doing well and are achieving results that are
‘similar’ to what we would estimate given the
background characteristics of their students. Some
schools are doing exceptionally well with the students
they have, and have ‘higher’ performance. Some
schools have ‘lower’ performance after taking into
account their students’ characteristics – these schools
will receive targeted support to ensure that there is
improvement.
Looking at both the student outcomes and school
comparisons provides important information about what
a school is doing well and the areas that require further
improvement.
More information on school comparison performance
measures can be found at:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/manage
ment/pages/performreports.aspx
What is the meaning of ‘Data not available’?
For some schools, there are too few students to provide
data. For other schools, there are no students at some
levels, so school comparisons are not possible. Newly
opened schools have only the latest year of data and no
averages from previous years. The Department also
recognises the unique circumstances of Specialist, Select
Entry, English Language and Community Schools where
school comparisons are not appropriate.
What is this school doing to improve?
All schools have a plan to improve outcomes for their
students. The ‘About Our School’ statement provides a
summary of this school’s improvement plan.
Murrumbeena Primary School
Financial Performance and Position
Financial Performance - Operating Statement
Summary for the year ending 31 December, 2015
Revenue
Student Resource Package
Financial Position as at 31 December, 2015
Actual
$3,794,810
Funds Available
Actual
High Yield Investment Account
$97,067
Government Provided DET Grants
$536,405
Official Account
$15,977
Government Grants Commonwealth
$59,698
Other Accounts
$602,636
Revenue Other
$39,500
Total Funds Available
$715,679
Locally Raised Funds
Total Operating Revenue
$757,572
$5,187,984
Expenditure
Student Resource Package
Financial Commitments
$3,677,023
Books & Publications
$27,427
Communication Costs
$4,514
Consumables
Miscellaneous Expense
Professional Development
$89,217
$231,017
$56,292
Operating Reserve
$201,287
Asset/Equipment Replacement < 12 months
$110,128
Maintenance - Buildings/Grounds incl
SMS<12 months
$65,000
Revenue Receipted in Advance
$11,942
School Based Programs
$71,260
Provision Accounts
$9,500
Property and Equipment Services
$263,280
Other recurrent expenditure
$6,462
Salaries & Allowances
$427,594
Asset/Equipment Replacement > 12 months
Trading & Fundraising
$136,989
Capital - Buildings/Grounds incl SMS>12
months
$70,000
Maintenance -Buildings/Grounds incl
SMS>12 months
$60,000
Travel & Subsistence
Utilities
$104
$46,221
Total Financial Commitments
Total Operating Expenditure
Net Operating Surplus/-Deficit
Asset Acquisitions
$110,101
$715,679
$4,959,676
$228,308
$36,384
Student Resource Package Expenditure figures are as of 21 March 2016 and are subject to change during the reconciliation process.
Misc Expenses may include bank charges, health and personal development, administration charges, camp/excursion costs and
taxation charges .
Salaries and Allowances refers to school-level payroll.
All funds received from the Department, or raised b y the school, have b een expended, or committed to sub sequent years, to support
the achievement of educational outcomes and other operational needs of the school, consistent with Department policies, School
Council approvals and the intent/purposes for which funding was provided or raised.
Financial performance and position commentary
Revenue received from government grants was supplemented by a high percentage of parents paying school contributions, camps,
excursions, swimming and sport levies, totaling over $263,000. Fundraising activities, including a most successful carnival raised
$50,000 for the school. The Stephanie Alexander program continues to develop well, and is funded through a user pays model
($45,000) and supplemented with school funds ($20,000). Other locally raised funds support the school’s Before and After Care
programs and trading operations. The school’s biggest expense was the employment of relief staff to support school programs,
provide release for professional development and to assist with assessment procedures. Over $120,000 was allocated for information
and communications technology resources and technical support. All curriculum programs were adequately funded through the
budget, allowing a comprehensive learning program to be delivered.