Liberton Christian School
2004 Annual Report
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
This year has been a challenging and exciting time for Liberton Christian School. In 2004, the school reached its maximum roll, operated for the first time with four classes, underwent an Education Review Office supplementary review to monitor progress in the School's planning procedures, and saw the completion of its new administration block.
The School began the year with its maximum roll of 62 pupils and completed the year with 72 pupils. The Board approved the additional enrolments over the maximum because of the size of the 2004 graduating class and the need to ensure that the anticipated starting enrolment in 2005 was as close as possible to 62 pupils. To cater for the larger roll and the age groupings of the pupils and their different learning levels, a fourth classroom was established. Teaching space was created by partitioning off part of the school hall and using this in conjunction with the school library. The Board also employed 4.6 FTTE (full-time teacher equivalent) teaching staff. In total this enabled the School to provide a far superior learning environment than would have been possible with only three classes and the 3.7 FTTE staff for which the School was funded. It was recognised, however, that this level of staffing would be financially unsustainable in 2005 unless the School's maximum roll could be increased.
In looking at projected enrolments for the 2004 year, the Board considered that even though a previous application for an increase in the maximum roll had been declined in 2003, a new application should be made. This application was lodged by the School's proprietor, Dunedin Christian Schools Association, and again sought a roll increase to 95 pupils. We were disappointed that the Minister again declined the application.
The Education Review Office (ERO) undertook a supplementary review of the School in April to monitor progress on the School's planning procedures. ERO were satisfied that sufficient progress had been made to our planning procedures, self review processes and performance management systems to warrant the School returning to the normal three-year ERO review cycle. Our next full review is expected in 2007.
The School held Board elections at the end of April and was pleased to be able to welcome three new members to the Board. The former chair, John Hannah, while remaining on the Board, relinquished the chairmanship. The Board gratefully acknowledges John Hannah's immense contribution since the School's integration in 1999.
The building of the new administration block was completed in 2004. This is by far the largest capital works project undertaken by the School in the last ten years. The block contains a new reception area, principal's office and staff room and is a major improvement to the School. Upgrades were also made to the School's computer network during the building process to enhance network performance. While the construction was disruptive at times, the process was well managed and had little impact on student learning. It is of special interest to note that the project architect was a foundation pupil of the School.
The School finished 2004 in good heart, albeit very sorry to see the retirement of Rosalin Stewart, the School's long-serving, new-entrant teacher. Rosalin's impact on the School over her 14 years of service has been enormous. As the Board looks back over 2004 all of the major goals in the School's Annual Plan were achieved, student achievement is high, the roll is full, and the new Board is working well as an effective governance team. The relationships within the School community are strong and there is good community spirit. The School will have to return to three classes in 2005, partly as result of the budgeted deficit that occurred in the previous year. Nevertheless, the School looks forward to continuing to build upon the excellent progress made in 2004.
Neville Jopson
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The year 2004 was a significant one for Liberton Christian School as for the first time we operated four classrooms. The year 1-3 age group was so large that having two junior classrooms was deemed necessary to continue to provide quality education. Therefore during the summer holidays the library and part of the hall were made into a functional teaching space, which teacher, Fiona Sizemore, transformed into a cheerful classroom.
Though we had some coming and going of pupils during the year, with immigrant families returning to their countries of origin, the roll remained around 72, a number close to qualifying for a government-funded fourth teacher.
The proprietors had applied for a roll cap increase which we had expected to be granted. We were therefore very disappointed and discouraged to learn towards the end of the year that a second application for a roll increase was also declined. Though I do believe that in God's time our plans and hopes for the school will be realised, we regretfully went back to three classrooms in 2005.
Another significant event was Rosalin Stewart's retirement after faithfully and effectively teaching our Junior classes for approximately 15 years. We were pleased that she agreed to continue to teach mornings only during the second half of the year, and thankful that Tania Bretz was led to the school to accept the part-time position of teaching juniors in the afternoons. This arrangement helped us to get used to having to part ways and to prepare for a suitable farewell at the end of the school year. It also gave continuity as Tania now teaches, together with Fiona Sizemore, many of the same children.
Being able to move into the new administration block during the last term was the real highlight of the year. The challenge of running a school alongside a construction site and having the old library double up as reception, office and staffroom, was amply rewarded. The official opening of the premises was celebrated by the school community, neighbours and friends. The new offices, workspace and staffroom have added a new dimension to the school and transformed it. The staffroom is especially popular with staff, parents and visitors alike and is made good use of.
English
Our application to participate in the literacy professional development project was successful. As a school we concentrated on the teaching of writing. The focus has been on using evidence to inform our teaching practice and on monitoring the impact of teaching decisions on students' achievements. We've become familiar with AsTTle, a national assessment tool (for teaching and learning), and were able to identify and to set school-wide student learning goals and identify target groups within each class. Jenny Harrex from the Dunedin College of Education is our advisor. Adele McKirdy is our able literacy leader. We will continue with this project during 2005, which is advantageous especially for new staff.
The Arts
The curriculum was enhanced by many cultural activities both inside and outside the classroom.
Bob Bickerton enthralled us with his new music/theatre piece, Destiny Bay. Years 4-8 joined other schools in the town hall for the Southern Sinfonia's performance of Bolero. They also went to DCBC's excellent performance of C. S. Lewis's classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
The Keep Dunedin Beautiful theatre group visited the school and entertained and taught Year 1-5 students. The Covenant Players took two sessions and performed at a Friday assembly.
The whole school attended the end of year productions of the drama groups of Logan Park High and Kavanagh College. Throughout the year class groups acted out plays in our Friday assemblies.
Health and Physical Education
A whole-school unit on food and nutrition also stressed the need for daily exercise. Wet and cold weather curtailed this somewhat as did the fact that we now had a classroom in the hall. However, once again, we participated with other North Dunedin Schools in as many sport events as possible. There were more opportunities for including the senior class: e.g. Activ8 - a physical challenge, a sports day with year 7 and 8 pupils from other full-primary schools, a year-6 swimming carnival, senior cross-country and the Push Play Challenge.
Both the senior and junior netball teams enjoyed a great season. They were dedicated and displayed great teamwork with the Year 7 and 8 team winning section 3 in their competition. The teams were ably coached by sisters Alicia and Rochelle Ferguson respectively.
Lunchtime soccer games were arranged between various participating schools whenever the weather allowed. The culminating seven-a-side tournament was enthusiastically participated in, even though it was one of the coldest winter days.
Swimming during Term 1 was on a weekly basis taught by teachers. During Term 4 Jill Clarke's swim school was given a trial and teachers found that children made faster progress and with parents providing transport was not so time consuming either.
Outdoor Education
Science and Social Studies necessitated excursions to the Portobello Aquarium for our school-wide marine study; and the Otago Settlers Museum for the Games and Toys unit. The latter preceded an enjoyable grandparents and parents' afternoon where we shared what parents knew and the children had learned.
Years 4 to 8 attended the Science and Technology Road Show at Balmacewen which proved very worthwhile. The most-looked-forward-to EOTC event for the senior class was their end of year Activity Week in which they discovered the delights of our various tourist attractions and activities in the Dunedin area.
Our Year-8 graduating class was the largest since the school's inception in 1982. It is always great to hear how our graduates are doing and to read their names in the various high schools' prize lists etc. We trust that Liberton has prepared them well so that they continue to gain in knowledge and wisdom.
2004 has been a year of positive change and growth. We've had excellent support from our school and wider community. The various events like the parent forum, games evening and the farewell function for Mrs Stewart hosted a record number of parents and friends. The Garage Sale raised well over a thousand dollars. Donations, too, exceeded expectations.
Let us wholeheartedly support, and pray for, Liberton Christian School so that together we can continue to provide quality Christian education here in Dunedin.
Nel van’t Wout
Back to Main Page
|