BRIDGETOWN HIGH
SCHOOL
Annual Report
2013
Locked Bag 1 Bridgetown WA 6255
Phone 97610100 Fax 97611685
www.bridgetownhs.wa.edu.au
12 months of
action at
BRIDGETOWN
HIGH SCHOOL
CRAZY HAIR DAY
MARY POPPINS
LEEUWIN ADVENTURE
GRIP LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
7 CADET CAMPS
BRIDGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Annual Report 2013
PRINCIPLES OF BRIDGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
CONTENTS
• ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN
The curriculum experiences are inclusive of all students. They
are based on the belief that all students can learn and can be
successful. Students have multiple opportunities to learn and use
their talents and expertise.
• EMPOWERING STUDENTS
The school aims to empower students to view the world critically
enabling them to act independently, cooperatively and
responsibly. The curriculum focuses on helping students learn to
use their minds well by developing sound "habits of the mind”.
• COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
The school, as a community of learners, fosters and models a
love of learning. We believe that learning is enhanced through
the development of productive and affirming relationships with all
members of the school community. Teams of teachers use a
variety of pedagogical strategies to challenge and extend
students.
• ACTIVE LEARNING
Learning is a shared responsibility; the school's aim is to provide
an environment in which the student is an active, engaged and
reflective learner, and the teacher is an active, engaged and
reflective facilitator of learning. Students and teachers negotiate
learning that is useful now, as well as in the future.
• CURRICULUM IS LEARNER CENTRED
The curriculum is holistic and allows for the development of
personal attributes and is focused on the identified needs,
interests and concerns of students and records and reports
continuously on progress and achievement.
• CARING
The tone of the school fosters unconditional positive regard, a
caring, supportive environment, free from harassment, and a
climate of social justice where the values of fairness, decency
and acceptance of diversity and differences prevail.
• SHARED LEADERSHIP
The school is a place where there is shared leadership, and
where the decision-making process attempts always to involve
the staff in a collaborative way. Members of staff are encouraged
to take on leadership roles in the school.
Principles of BHS
3
School Community
4
School Population
and Attendance
5
Student Destination data
6
Priorities 2011-13 School Plan
Attainment of Targets
7
Student Achievement
8&9
Parent Satisfaction
10
Behaviour Management
11
Financial Report
12
School Community
Page 4
The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes is situated 270 km south of
Perth. Bridgetown is the main commercial centre of the Shire with a
population of around 2500 that has remained stable for a number of
years. The major employers in the Shire, Talison & SG Mining, in
Greenbushes, employ approximately 300 people. In addition to
farming, agricultural and viticultural activities, there are several
tourism accommodation outlets, some of which supplement farming
operations.
Bridgetown High School was founded in 1954 on the site of the town’s
cattle saleyards. In 2013, the school had 139 students from Years 8
to 10, who came from the town itself, surrounding farmlands and the
timber-milling and mining township of Greenbushes. The cultural and
socio-economic diversity of the area is reflected at the school level
with approximately 33% of families possessing Health Care cards.
In 2013 students came to Bridgetown High School from Bridgetown
Primary School, Greenbushes Primary School, St Brigid’s Catholic
Primary School, Balingup Primary School and Kirup Primary School.
A student enjoying Metalwork.
Bridgetown High School has an experienced, stable and professional
staff. The teaching staff have an average of 20 years experience and
are committed to personal improvement. In 2013, the school allocated
$10000 for Professional Development and staff committed themselves
to staff meetings - out of normal school hours. Bridgetown High
School is committed to developing a flexible organisational structure
and a learning environment conducive to successful outcomes for all
students. The non-teaching staff are also highly effective and an
integral part of our school community.
The school has a vibrant Emergency Services Cadet unit which has
been running for over 10 years. A third of the school population
participates and enjoys weekly training and 4 camps each year.
Bridgetown High School places a strong emphasis on collaborative
decision-making and has strong support from the Bridgetown High
School Council and the Bridgetown High School Parents and Citizens’
association.
Visiting Japanese students who
again enjoyed Bridgetown life for
10 days. Many strong friendships
were made.
The Bridgetown High School Council was formed in June 2001 with
the purpose of promoting the school in the community and
establishing and reviewing the school’s priorities and direction.
Membership of Council in 2013 was: Mr Damien Jameson
(Chairperson), Ms Tania Newman (P+C Rep), Dr Chris Shedley & Ms
Jillian Wilks (Community rep), Ms Kay Kuzich (Parent rep), Mr Brett
Chaudhry (Staff Rep) and Mr Stephen Bullied (Principal).
The Bridgetown Alumni Association remains active within the school
and the community. One Alumni Music Scholarships was awarded in
term 4 2013 for the 2014 school year. The winner was Mitchell Page
from Bridgetown Primary School.
Chaplain Carol with her ‘Shine’
class at Geegelup Village .
Page 5
Student Population
Enrolment Data 2010 - 2013
160
139
Number of Students
135
120
123
120
80
40
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
The half cohort completed year 10 in 2012 thus the increase in 2013.
Attendance
Attendance Rates 2013
Bridgetown HS
State Ave
100%
90% 90%
90%
89%
87%
87%
87%
Percentage
85%
80%
60%
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Overall
Group
At Bridgetown High School attendance is closely monitored throughout the year.
Bridgetown High School continues to have at or above state average attendance in
all years.
The school has a small number of students who are aboriginal and the attendance
rates for these students is above 90% which is far above the state average.
Attendance Continued
Page 6
Attendance Category
Regular
At Risk
Attendance
Indicated
Moderate
Severe
2012
60 %
31 %
7%
1%
2013
61 %
24 %
14 %
1%
State 2013
60%
22%
11%
7%
Individual student attendance is closely monitored and students in the moderate and
severe risk categories are followed up regularly with the Retention and Participation Officer
involved where necessary. We continue to strive to lift the percentage of students
‘regularly’ coming to school but success has been hard to achieve. In 2013 over 20
students were removed from school for a week or more for an overseas holiday. This has
impacted our effectiveness to move more students into the Regular attendance category.
We continue to educate parents about the impact of extended absences for non medical
reasons through newsletter articles, letters home and attendance conferences.
Student Destination End Of Year 10 - 2013
MANEA
27%
AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES
7%
OTHER SHS
7%
MANJIMUP SHS
52%
APPRENTICESHIP
7%
2013 saw a continuation of the trend for a significant amount of students
attending MANEA college in Bunbury.
79% of students attend Manjimup SHS or MANEA College.
Attainment of Targets from
the 2011-2013 School Plan
Page 7
CHANGES IN 2013
Target 1 : Formation of a Promotions Committee which includes staff, parents,
community members and input from the Student Forum. This committee will implement
strategies to assist the promotion of our school.
Initial discussions have occurred in 2012 between the Deputy Principal, Registrar and Chaplain.
Meetings commenced in 2013.
Target 2 : A minimum of 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff from our feeder schools
to visit Bridgetown High School for a tour and an information session.
In 2012 all teachers from our feeder schools were invited to a tour and discussion on how we
can build links between the schools. Many excellent ideas were noted and actioned. One
example was the involvement of all year 6 and 7 students in our Arts Day in term 4 2012 and
2013.
Target 3 : A minimum of 50% of parents of children from our feeder schools to visit
Bridgetown High School in the year before their children are eligible to attend, for a tour
and information session.
During the year 7 transition visits in term two parents are invited for a morning tea and a tour of
the school. Over the three years attendance varied with a maximum of 44% of parents
attending. This morning tea and tour will continue as part of the transition process. The majority
of parents of our year 8 cohort attend tours, parent evenings or assemblies. Parent attendance
at assemblies has been steadily increasing.
Target 4 : Fully completed in 2011 & 2012.
Target 5 : Fully completed in 2011 & 2012.
Target 6 : Staff complete Professional Development to ensure consistent literacy
standards are taught in all Learning Areas. Staff will then be required to show how they
are applying these standards in their Learning Area.
Significant progress has been made over the last three years.
Target 7 : Identify SAER students and apply strategies to lift their spelling and reading
age scores. We aim to lift reading age levels in excess of twelve months, over a twelve
month period.
Student improvement displayed in the First Cut Data for 2012 and 2013 for Literacy was
pleasing. This shows that the majority of students are making significant improvement between
year 7 and year 9. Strategies put in place including diagnostic testing have proven valuable.
Target 8 : Fully completed in 2011 & 2012.
Target 9: By the end of 2012, teaching staff in the “core subjects’ routinely using
Microsoft OneNote with their classes.
The use of OneNote has fallen away through 2012 and 2013. It is still a goal for the staff to set
up the facility for students to access work, submit assessments and download work when
absent online. An audit will occur in 2014 and new strategies put in place.
Target 10: Fully implement National Curriculum. English, Mathematics, Science and
History by 2013; other subjects as they are provided by ACARA.
Fully completed in 2013.
Page 8
Student Achievement 2013
Student Performance
Year 9
–
-
NAPLAN – National Tests
MSE – Western Australian Test
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Numeracy (NAPLAN)
1
1
1
2
2
Punctuation & Grammar (NAPLAN)
1
1
2
1
2
Reading (NAPLAN)
1
2
2
1
2
Spelling (NAPLAN)
2
1
2
2
2
Writing (NAPLAN)
2
2
1
2
2
Science
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
(MSE)
Society & Environment
(MSE)
1
Above Expected - more than one standard deviation above the predicted school mean
2
Expected - within one standard deviation of the predicted school mean
3
Below Expected - more than one standard deviation below the predicted school mean
All year nine students throughout Australia participate in the NAPLAN tests in May
each year. The results for Bridgetown High School students were at expected
levels in all tests.
In Science and Society & Environment students participate in state wide MSE tests.
Our Science and Society & Environment results were at expected levels.
The results from both NAPLAN & MSE indicate that Bridgetown High School
students are achieving pleasing results. The school continuously examines ways to
improve student learning.
Cadets cleaning the
Kangaroo Gully fire truck
Then the cadets
used the hoses to
cool each other
Student Achievement 2013
Page 9
Student Performance – NAPLAN – First Cut Data
First Cut data gives us two types of
information.
Numeracy
Achievement
Progress
1. Achievement (first and third
graphs) – These show us how
students from our school went in
NAPLAN tests compared with the
rest of the state. The dashed lines
indicate the levels in like schools.
2. Progress – This measures the
difference in the scores from the
NAPLAN test in grade 7 to the
results in year 9. Graphs with
higher columns to the right show
the school has made a significant
difference in the students learning.
Numeracy
Achievement
results
students achieving results
like schools due to the
Limited
and
higher
achievement columns.
Reading
Achievement
show
above
lower
Good
The progress graph shows that
progress was also higher than at
the like schools. Very few students
made very low progress while
many made High and moderate
progress.
Reading
Progress
The achievement of our student
was very similar to those students
at like schools.
Progress indicated that many
students achieved very high or
high progress but many also made
low progress.
Parent, Student & Staff
Satisfaction 2013
Page 10
In early term four each year all students, staff and parents are surveyed to obtain
information regarding the level of satisfaction each group feels towards the school.
The responses are then analysed and used to help set priorities and school target
for improvement as well as giving staff valuable feedback from students and
parents. This helps to ensure the data is valid and a true interpretation of parent
feelings towards the school.
Below is a summary of data and a number of comments made by parents and
students. Please call the school on 97610100 if you would like a full copy of the
survey results. 51% of parents returned the survey.
Survey Question – Level of AGREEMENT Parents Students
My child is encouraged to achieve to the best
97%
95%
of their ability
This school caters for students on both
academic and workforce/apprenticeship
96%
97%
pathways.
This school has excellent educational
97%
96%
resources.
This school strives for high academic
100%
91%
standards.
This school tries hard to stop bullying.
96%
90%
The school Principal cares about the students. 100%
98%
I think this is a good school.
100%
92%
Staff
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
COMMENTS FROM PARENTS - COMMUNITY SURVEY 2013
Being happy at school can only be a positive for a learning experience
Bridgetown High is run and staffed by great teachers
Love the school, Mr Bullied has done a wonderful job being Principal.
The staff at the school really take an interest in the well being of the students
and go above and beyond their jobs/duties to ensure they are safe, happy and
learning. Well done!
There are very good programs in place. Sharren Wood is a valuable member
of staff
You are doing a wonderful job.
Myself and my child are happy with Bridgetown High School
Behaviour Management 2013
110
Page 11
Suspensions and
Teacher referrals 2013
Suspensions - No of students
Suspension Days
Referrals - No of students
No of Teacher Referrals
No of POSITIVE input
100
90
70
Number
57
49
50
46
43
41
35
34
30
27
30
15
12
10
-10
4.53
1
7
Year 8
Females
5
7
56
00
00
Year 9
Females
Year 10
Females
4
Year 8
Males
11
22.5
Year 9
Males
1
3
Year 10
Males
Students
All staff use the School Information System (SIS) to allow accurate recording and tracking
of student behaviour. The graph’s above show the number of behaviour incidents placed
on the system.
The rate of suspension in 2013 was higher than in previous years. Where appropriate,
students were placed on Behaviour Management Plans and followed up by the
coordinators and the Deputy Principal.
A total of 262 positive behaviour comments were made on SIS.
These include merit certificates, awards, letters for good behaviour and many other
commendations.
Financial Report 2013
Page 12
Full financial information is available by contacting Bridgetown High School on
97610100 during school hours.