Liberton Christian School
2003 Annual Report
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
2003 was another very significant year in the life of Liberton Christian School. Roll growth continued with the same vigour experienced in 2002 and thus, when the School opened at the start of the year, it was in a position to be able to make immediate application to the Ministry of Education for funding for a third full-time teacher. This represented the fulfilment of a major goal from 2002. As the year progressed numbers continued to increase such that by the year-end, and for the first time in its history, the School was facing the prospect of limiting enrolments. Under its Integration Agreement, the School's maximum roll is 62 pupils.
As the Board considered the projected enrolments for the start of 2004 and considered the expected distribution of pupils (both in age and ability), it made the strategic decision to create a fourth teaching space and, as of January 2004, move to 4.6 FTTE teaching staff. The Board was strongly of the view that this arrangement would create a much better learning environment for the children than was likely to be possible with three classes only. Given that the School is only funded for 3.7 FTTE teaching staff, it was decided that an application to increase the School's maximum roll was a matter of the highest priority. Such an application was completed by the Dunedin Christian Schools Association (the School's proprietor), and forwarded to the Minister of Education, in late November. In view of the strong roll pressure currently being experienced, we were disappointed that the application was declined.
Not only is this the first time in the School's history that it has had four full-time teachers, but it is also the first time that the School has had four separate and distinct teaching spaces-the fourth (and latest) being created by partitioning off part of the hall and integrating it with the School's library. This work was started before Christmas and completed for school opening on 27 January 2004.
Early in the year the Education Review Office undertook a supplementary review and, as a result, suggested the need for some additional changes to the School's planning procedures. Amongst other things, it noted the need to more closely link the School's Strategic Plan to its Annual Plan and thence to student achievement. It also noted the need for the school to strengthen its self-review processes and to ensure that the School's performance management systems were fully operational. These issues were effectively dealt with during the year-a task greatly facilitated by the Principal being able to be granted, and take, a full quota of release time. This too, was a first in the School's history. It is no exaggeration to state that the additional teacher funding made possible by roll growth past 55 pupils was of enormous benefit to the School. Equally, it is clear that roll growth past the next critical limit (approximately 83 pupils) will offer a further range of teaching and learning benefits.
While 2003 was not a year of major capital works, the inside roof of the school hall was repainted, and major repairs made to the south wall of the third classroom. This latter repair was occasioned by leaks in the exterior wall cladding-a classic case of leaky building problems. While fixing this problem, other smaller classroom changes could be made.
The School concluded 2003 in good heart. The budget was met, all major goals in the School's Annual Plan were achieved, student achievement is high, roll pressure is increasing, and the Board has worked as an effective governance team. There are strong relationships within the School community and a good community spirit. In 2004, the School looks forward to continuing to build upon the excellent progress made in 2003.
John Hannah
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The year 2003 was another year in which we experienced God's faithfulness and rich blessings.
We started the year with sufficient children to have three teachers fully paid for by the Ministry of Education. Adele McKirdy, who was initially appointed on a fixed-term basis, won the permanent position advertised later in the year. Fiona Sizemore, a beginning teacher, joined the staff as principal release. As she preferred to teach a younger age group and Adele had experience mainly in the senior classes, classrooms were re-arranged accordingly. Rosalin Stewart continued in the junior class, but the Year 3 pupils joined Years 4 and 5 taught by Fiona Sizemore and me.
The junior class, though initially small, continued to grow with new entrants coming in throughout the year. Further enrolments for 2004 meant a Year 1-3 class would be too large. I experienced firsthand that combining a Year 3 (junior) level with Year 4 and 5 (middle) levels, though do-able, is far from ideal. Looking toward 2004, and reviewing the configuration for 2003, it became apparent that dividing the junior Year 1-3 class into two classes for 2004 would be of greatest benefit to teaching and learning. We therefore urged the Proprietor to make provision for a fourth teaching space and to apply to the Ministry to increase the integration roll cap of 62 to allow for four classes.
To have a Year 1-8 Christian primary school, still small enough to foster Christian community, but with a closer age range and ability spread in the classes, has been our prayer and vision from the beginning.
With a substantial recent roll growth (21 in 2002 and 22 in 2003), a beginning teacher and one returning to teaching, our energies have gone into building a teaching team and learning community. This has entailed: induction of new staff, preparing the required documentation to become a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students in order to retain our overseas students, catering for the special needs of some new pupils by working with RTLB and other support staff to formulate individual educational programmes, and appointing and monitoring a teacher aide. Though we had worked hard, and achieved much, when the ERO team arrived five and a half weeks into the school year for our supplementary review, they still found areas of non-compliance. A new action plan was therefore drawn up, with the Board of Trustees and teachers setting to work towards its completion.
With non-contact time increased from 0.2 to 0.5, I was able to meet with other principals and support staff to get a better grip on what the various requirements were, how to report to the Board, how to appraise and assess, and so on. I have also been able to visit other schools, attend various leadership seminars and other professional development courses. I attended the New Zealand Association for Christian Schools' (NZACS) leadership seminar and the Otago Primary Principals' Association's conferences and workshops in Dunedin, and found them especially helpful and encouraging.
The NZACS 'Teaching the Truth' conference in Christchurch was attended by most of our teachers. In addition the NZACS secretary, John Norsworthy, spoke to parents, board and staff at the school later in the year. Both these events helped strengthen our understanding of the distinctives of Christian education.
Arts
In order to develop and write the arts curriculum delivery plan, Kyra Jones, who had been on maternity leave, returned in Term 2 to teach art to all three classes. She concentrated mainly on the visual arts, but also ably taught drama to the seniors resulting in an excellent, well received, end-of-year production, 'The Christmas Story', which was presented to parents and friends. It was again performed when Amana Christian School pupils came to join us for an afternoon.
Children look forward to Wednesday, art day. Some entered the Road Sense poster competition, and the School won a prize in the 'My Family, My Neighbourhood' children's art exhibition.
Both Logan Park High School and Kavanagh College invited us to their play and Christmas pantomime. We joined Opoho School to view 'Pinocchio' presented by David Poulton's Theatre of Puppets. The latter was the inspiration for the making of puppets and puppet plays school-wide.
The Keep Dunedin Beautiful drama team entertained, but also challenged us once again to care for our environment.
Technology
Another item on our action plan was to write up a school-wide curriculum delivery plan for technology. This was done with the help of advisor, David Young. Our Year 7-8 pupils are privileged to be able to join their peers from other full (Year 1-8) primary schools for technology classes (manual arts) at Dunedin North Intermediate School every Thursday morning.
English
After revising the English curriculum guidelines and writing school-wide learning intentions, it was decided, in consultation with staff, to apply to participate in the proposed 2004 Literacy Contract and so further improve the children's writing abilities.
Health
The health nurse, hearing and vision technician, and dental therapist are valued members of our school community.
During 2003 the Police education officer, Sue Young, worked with the senior class on the DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) programme to help seniors make right choices and stand up to negative peer pressure. The seniors particularly enjoyed the DARE fun day. The whole school watched a police dog handler and his dog demonstrate. Ronald McDonald and DARE Lion were also welcome visitors to the whole school.
The Year 3-5s joined the seniors in the Bike Wise programme, while the juniors learned about Safe Walking. I completed the first year of Road Sense, a professional development course aimed at developing ways to integrate road safety learning through various games and activities in curriculum areas.
Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC)
Education outside the classroom included trips to the Botanic Garden, museums, Olveston historic home, Bethune's Gully, the SPCA and Moana Pool.
Last year the boundaries were extended with the seniors venturing out to Cromwell and Queenstown for their end-of-year camp. The children benefited greatly from new experiences and challenges. It was also heartening to note the backing of the community with donations of money and food, and no lack of volunteers.
The new guidelines for EOTC were very useful in preparing risk management plans for this camp. In order to familiarise ourselves further with safety requirements we will be attending Ministry of Education workshops during 2004 and adjusting our procedures accordingly if necessary.
Inter-school Sports
Historically we have participated fully in various North Dunedin schools' sporting events, for example cross country, sports day, volleyball, Year-6 aquatics, gym day and junior netball. The junior netball team had a very successful season. The upper half of the school also entered an inter-school soccer competition which culminated in a Dunedin-wide seven-a-side tournament. Refreshments were offered to visiting soccer and netball teams whenever we had home games.
With a relatively large number of children in Years 7 and 8 (Forms 1 and 2) we set out to create more opportunity for the senior class to be involved in inter-school sports. We entered a netball team in the Thursday after-school competition at the Edgar Sports Centre. They received excellent coaching, worked well as a team and were a real credit to the school.
We also joined Year 7 and 8 pupils of other full primary schools in a sports day and cross country run.
Community Events
Years 1-6 combined with Pine Hill School pupils in celebrating major events in the Church year at St Mark's Presbyterian Church and visited Knox Church for their 'Sights and Sounds of Easter' presentation.
About 20 children participated in World Vision's 40-hour famine and raised over $600. A great effort.
Our good relationship with the community was enhanced by the Mainly Music group which uses the school hall on Thursday mornings.
We have been an integrated school for four years now. It has proved a blessing enabling more parents to give their children a Christian education. However, we must not become complacent. We need the interest, encouragement, support and prayer of all our stakeholders as we continue to work to serve God together in providing the option of a well-rounded Christian education here at Liberton.
Nel van’t Wout
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