Liberton Christian School
2000 Annual Report
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Our first year as an integrated school is nearly completed, and the role and function of the Board is becoming clearer. It has been not too different from what we have done in the past, but the separation of the DCSA (as proprietors), the requirements for comprehensive policies, and the need to review these with the community, has involved new responsibilities and challenges.
This year Nel and Rosalin have undertaken extra tasks as part of ABEL (Assessment for Better Learning) course. This has involved regular meetings with Dunedin College of Education advisors and discussions about assessment procedures and curriculum development for the School. The process has been very helpful in getting a lot of what we have done in the past written down, while encouraging us to think about how we express our Christian character in the life of the School. The Board appreciates the willingness of the staff to do the ABEL course, which will continue next year.
The parent forums each term have provided important opportunities to learn about activities in the classroom, discuss school policies and assess curriculum goals. We will attempt to vary the format of these and make them useful for parents, but any feedback would be welcome.
The new playground was completed and is very popular with the children. It is a great asset for the School and the local community.
The diverse and stimulating educational programme at the School over the year involved outings to museums, camps, walks, visits from missionaries and others, interschool sports, as well as the more usual learning activities. As visitors have noted, small schools have many advantages and we are thankful for the way in which the teachers encourage the children to become part of a caring and supportive community at Liberton.
Phil Marshall kindly chaired the Board while I was away. I would also thank other board members and staff for all their hard work and commitment to Christian education.
Bill Lee
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The year 2000 was the first whole year as a state integrated Christian school. As we were to revert to a two-teacher school, quite a bit of reorganising, especially of equipment and furniture, etc had to be done during the summer holidays. We benefited from the services of a handyman who needed to do 100 hours of community service. We had staff-only days and a board meeting prior to the start of school.
We started the year off with just 27 pupils, two short of the required 29 for two teachers. Soon however new pupils were enrolled, with peak enrolment at 39, giving 24 students in the senior room - Years 4-8 (van’t Wout) and 15 in the junior room - Years 0-3 (Stewart).
Teacher Kyra Jones took the senior class on Monday and Wednesday afternoons to give the principal release time for administration. As both teachers were involved in the Assessment for Better Learning Contract (ABEL), we also had Naomi Patrick and Jean Corlett relieving. As well Jean Corlett taught a unit in the junior room during Term 4, giving Rosalin the necessary time for end of year assessment. As both Rosalin and I lost loved ones, we were thankful we had relief staff who were familiar with the classes and routines, etc.
A new field for the school is the input into teacher training. During 2000 we had a second-year and a first-year student teacher from Otago University choosing to do their posting at Liberton. Four students from the College of Education came to interview the chairman and principal about the special character of the school and its philosophy.
Professional Development
The ABEL contract took us out of the classroom for several days and half days throughout the year and kept both Mrs Stewart and myself very busy. The Contract will continue during 2001. As well as that, Rosalin attended after school, junior class teacher conferences. I attended the "Principles First" I.C.T. course in Balclutha and went to an introduction to the new Health and Physical Education curriculum document. During the July holiday break, I participated in the New Zealand Association for Christian Schools Conference and Annual General Meeting in Wellington.
School Programmes
Again we had a most successful camp at Warrington. This one perhaps was even more memorable. The seniors of Southern Lakes Christian School joined us with three adult leaders. We are fortunate to have such an enthusiastic camp cook living so close to inexpensive high class camp facilities. The camp’s programme made the most of the natural resources of the camp’s surroundings and the abilities and talents of teachers and parents. Some of the outdoor education costs were raised by the Year 7 and 8 pupils helping with winter hot lunches and with Readathon sponsor money.
In September the Form 1 and 2s also joined the Queenstown pupils for a day’s skiing on the Remarkables. A first for most and an awesome experience as far as the children were concerned.
The netball, coached by Rachel Bradfield, and minibalI, coached by John Steenhof, enjoyed playing in the respective interschool competitions. We had some professional coaching sessions by two Otago Nuggets players, Lynwood Wade and Sharon Deal.
We were fortunate to have Starlab being set up in the school hall which greatly helped in our school wide study of space.
For the Child Safety Unit, Sue Young, the police education officer, took the seniors through the safe cycling course and the juniors for safe walking. We also looked at Fire Safety (before Guy Fawkes Day) and safety in the outdoors before tramping across Flagstaff.
The 2000 Olympics in Sydney provided the springboard for a study about the Olympics. We also learned about other countries through visiting speakers and held a school wide mini-Olympics with groups representing their "adopted" country. We became more aware of other countries and familiar with the world map through our Flat People Travel project. Many cards and letters were received from all over the world. Unfortunately not many of the children’s “passports” were returned at the end of the year.
The need to make the school library more user-friendly resulted in a technology study in which the senior class students made some very colourful cushion covers. The new carpet enhances the learning environment in the senior room, so a carpet square could be placed in the library.
Healthy lunches was the theme of the 5+ a Day when, with Anita van Rij’s help, we made our own lunch and tried some great sandwich fillings. The children made fruit and vegetable sculptures (edible art) to reinforce the healthy eating message.
The new playground equipment was officially opened on May 19th and very much appreciated and used by the pupils. It is proving very popular with the wider Pine Hill community also.
At Easter we visited and participated in the Sights and Sounds of Easter at Knox Church and then at Pine Hill Presbyterian for a Christmas celebration with Pine Hill School pupils. The end of year concert and Christmas tableau was well received by a supportive audience.
The year 2000 was a settled year in which we enjoyed a steady growth in roll number. The Board of Trustees and teachers were, and still are, on a steep learning curve regarding administration and assessment requirements integration brings with it. It has been a good year for teaching and learning. We can thank God for blessing through people who have been encouraging and helpful and a very supportive school community.
To God be the glory.
Nel van’t Wout
TREASURER’S REPORT
At the end of the School’s first full year of operation as a state integrated school it is pleasing to report a sizable surplus, especially after the deficit for the three months to 31 December 1999 placed the School in a weak financial position.
However at $30,122, or 18.5% of total revenue, the magnitude of the surplus does give some food for thought. In future years careful budgeting will be necessary to ensure that available funding, including funds of $12,501 currently uncommitted, is employed to best effect. While there may be some merit in accumulating reserves against a possible future downturn, the Board’s immediate financial goals should also provide the best in classroom resourcing, and for an adequate level of relief and administrative support for teaching staff. The Board is aware, too, of the need for continuing and assertive publicity as a means of promoting roll stability and growth.
In tandem with the sound result has been a substantial strengthening in the balance sheet position. The purchase of computer and playground equipment, in particular, has signalled the Board’s first steps in the establishment of a fixed asset portfolio, which now stands at $15,987. In terms of working capital, there has been a turnaround in last year’s reported deficit of $1,738 to a current surplus of $12,501.
In 2001 the Trustees will again work closely with staff, parents and the Proprietor to ensure that proper stewardship is exercised over the public money with which the Board has been entrusted.
John van Dyk
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