SCHOOL DETAILS

School Address:
1-63 The Abbey Place
Caboolture Qld 4510
School Sector: Independent
Total Enrolments: 268
Year Levels Offered: Prep to Year 7
Co-education: Yes

School Details
Our College has established a fine reputation, providing a complete education from Prep School to Year 7.  The College is an independent co-educational primary school set in peaceful bush surrounds and offers a balanced curriculum. The College is currently undertaking a gradual expansion to offer two streams of each year level. Our first double-streamed classes are now in Year Two, with a view to these classes being our inaugural classes for St. Michael's College Middle and Secondary school.

CURRICULUM OFFERINGS

Our College has established a fine reputation, providing a complete education from Prep School to Year 7.  The College is an independent co-educational primary school set in peaceful bush surrounds and offers a balanced curriculum. The College is currently undertaking a gradual expansion to offer two streams of each year level. Our first double-streamed classes are now in Year Two, with a view to these classes being our inaugural classes for St. Michael's College Middle and Secondary school.

KLA Learning Outcomes Explained:
One of the most significant changes to school curriculum in recent years is the use of Learning Outcomes in our Key Learning Area syllabus documents.

The new syllabus materials feature Learning Outcomes that students are expected to achieve. A Learning Outcome is a statement about what the student will know and what they can do when the learning experience is completed, e.g. “Students describe and interpret a variety of dances, and communicate an understanding of the nature of dance within their society”.

These outcomes are levelled, and the students move up through the levels during their years at school. Each level is intended to take about two years to complete, and at St. Michael’s you can expect your child to be moving through the levels as follows:

Level 1 – Prep and Year One

Level 2 – Year Two and Year Three

Level 3 – Year Four and Year Five

Level 4 – Year Six and Year Seven

Learning Outcomes may be taught and assessed in both years of an outcome level, but may be taught in very different units of work. For example, a HPE outcome in Level 2, “Students propose and demonstrate ways to promote personal safety and the safety of others” may be taught by looking at food preparation in Year Three, and water safety rules in Year Two.

For any queries regarding the curriculum at St. Michael’s College, please contact Mrs Jenny Hubble, Deputy Principal at jhubble@smccab.qld.edu.au

DISTINCTIVE CURRICULUM OFFERINGS

Religious Education:
Christian beliefs and values underpin the ethos of St. Michael’s College. Students in all year levels participate in a Religious Education program that examines Christianity and its teachings. Upper Primary students also study major religions of the world in detail, to foster an understanding and appreciation of differing cultures and religious beliefs.

 Learning Support/ Gifted and Talented:
St. Michael’s College has a comprehensive Learning Support program. Students in Prep and Primary classes are assessed using a range of formal and informal screening and observation tools to ensure that students with Learning Support or Enrichment needs are identified and supported in order to achieve their potential. A Learning Support program, available to children with learning difficulties, includes diagnosing learning problems, planning individual education programs to help children's needs and planning and organising remedial resources with the classroom teacher.  Students who are Ascertained attend the Learning Enrichment Centre where IEP outcomes are developed for their needs.

ICT:
The College has a strong commitment to the provision of current Information and Communication Technologies in the curriculum. Every classroom is equipped with an Interactive Whiteboard so that ICTs are employed to optimise curriculum experiences. In addition, the College has a 'bank' of laptop computers, a Computer Lab for student use, with computers in classrooms or mini-labs available to all students from Prep to Year 7.

Music:
St. Michael’s College employs a Music Specialist to provide a comprehensive Music program at all year levels. In addition, students can elect to join Music extension activities that are provided during the school day as follows:

Junior and Senior Choir: Students may audition for a choir position from Year Two onwards. St. Michael’s choral program is a leading program in South East Queensland. Our choirs have performed in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast Eisteddfods with resounding success. St. Michael’s College has also been instrumental in establishing a Choral Extension Workshop attended by leading choirs from up to 12 schools annually on the Sunshine Coast.

Instrumental Music: This program is headed by our Instrumental Music Specialist and enables students to study an instrument in a small group teaching situation, and perform in a College band. Instrumental lessons are held in small groups during the school day, and the bands rehearse one day per week. The Senior Band achieved a 'Gold' award at the Brisbane Schools Band Festival 2007.

Drama:
St. Michael’s College has a strong reputation in South East Queensland for excellence in Drama. Students in all year levels from Prep to Year Seven have the opportunity to participate in a staged Infant and 4-7 Musicals every second year. Our Musicals are attended by large audiences and give students an opportunity to perform in a professional theatre situation in our Performing Arts Complex.

Dance:
Each year, the College employs Dance specialists to assist in the provision of the Dance strand of The Arts Queensland syllabus across all year levels from Prep to Year 7. In recent years students have experienced Ballroom, Latin, Jazz/ Funk, Tap and Rock n’ Roll dance lessons.

Sport:
St. Michael’s College students participate in a strong Physical Activity program in all year levels. Students compete in Interhouse competitions in Cross Country, Athletics and Swimming. In these events, talented students are supported in competitions at District and Regional levels and beyond. Students in Years 6 and 7 also participate in an Interschool competition where they play Softball, Soccer, Netball and Touch Football against teams from the Sunshine Coast area.

Camps:
The College is committed to providing a comprehensive camp program. Camp provides opportunities to develop social skills, interpersonal communication skills, physical skills and builds class rapport. Our camps are linked closely to the curriculum covered and as such provide an opportunity to extend classroom learning in a safe, challenging environment. All camps are organised and run by the class teacher, who is assisted by other staff members from the College. The camp program begins with a ‘first’ overnight sleepover in the tunnel at Under Water World in Year 2, and culminates in the leadership and team-building experiences at Emu Gully in Year 6 and in Canberra, Sydney and The Snow in Year 7.

In 2007 our camp program provided camps as follows:

•                     Year 2  2 days, 1 night at Under Water World, Mooloolabah

•                     Year 3  2 days, 1 night at Ewen Maddock Dam

•                     Year 4  3 days, 2 nights at Camp Warrawee, Petrie

•                     Year 5  3 days, 2 nights at Mapleton Camp, Mapleton

•                     Year 6  4 days, 3 nights at Emu Gully Camp, Helidon

•                     Year 7  5 days, 4 nights at Canberra, Sydney and The Snow

Debating:
Students in Year 7 are offered the opportunity to audition for Debating teams that compete against other schools in the Sunshine Coast area and allow talented students the opportunity to further develop their skills. Debating skills are underpinned by the curriculum in Speaking and Listening, particularly in Years 4-7.

 Extra-curricular activities:
Singing Lessons: Our Music Specialist provides opportunities for students to undertake private singing tuition outside of regular school hours on campus.

Mem Productions Drama Lessons: Drama lessons provide opportunities for students to further develop their Drama talents in a privately run Academy held outside of regular school hours on 2 afternoons per week.

InTennis: We have a Tennis Coach who provides tennis lessons on our school tennis courts before and after school.

Dance 4 Kids: Dance lessons incorporate all of the physical benefits of dance as well as learning goal setting skills and confidence in a fun, structured environment. Lessons are held after school one day per week.

REPORTING
St. Michael’s College issues a written report about student progress twice each year. Written reports are also supported by Parent/ Teacher Interviews where required. Each report details the Key Learning Areas studied and the student’s attainment. Students are assessed using a variety of tools - tests, discussions, interviews, written assignments, observations and others. Students are then given an overall rating in the level they are working in using the following descriptors:

A  The student consistently demonstrates a very high level of knowledge, skills and understandings and is able to apply them independently in a wide range of contexts.

B  The student demonstrates a high level of knowledge, skills and understandings and is able to apply them independently in most contexts.

C  The student demonstrates a sound level of knowledge, skills and understandings and is able to apply them, with guidance, in some contexts.

D  The student demonstrates limited knowledge, skills and understandings and is able to apply them, with support, in some contexts.

E  The student demonstrates very limited knowledge, skills and understandings.

Prep parents can expect a report at the end of the year, with interview opportunities throughout the year. However, the report will not reflect the same format as the older year levels.

SCHOOL CULTURE
School Culture
Staff Development:
St. Michael’s College employs a team of experienced Primary School teachers, supported by Specialist Teachers in Learning Support, Music and Library and by qualified and experienced Teacher Aides.

Our Staff Development priorities for 2007 were as follows:

·                     Brain-based theories of learning

·                     Behaviour Management - supporting students

·                     Reading and reading comprehension

Our Staff Development priorities for 2008 are as follows:

·                     To develop the most effective use of IT integrated in all classroom learning, and specifically in the use of Interactive Whiteboard technologies.

·                     To continue a learning focus on Brain-based theory in curriculum and behaviour management.

Pastoral Care:
The College aim is to establish and maintain an independent, Christian, co-educational school, operating in accordance with the Christian religious principles of the Confraternity of the Kingdom of Christ.  In accepting children from many denominations, the school provides a Christian framework, but leaves families to pursue their own specific religious beliefs.

The school aims to provide a caring and supportive environment dedicated to the development of balanced individuals committed to Christian ideals, personal excellence, responsibility and a lifelong desire to acquire and apply knowledge.

The College aims to ensure the ongoing sustainability and ethos of the school by:

·                     Developing within the school community a belief in God and a Christian way of life, by example, pastoral care and counsel

·                     Developing the child’s full potential – academically, socially, spiritually and physically, thus ensuring integrity, respect of truth, self discipline, good   manners and courteous behaviour

·                     Educating students to become sensitive to, and appreciative of differing cultures and religious beliefs

·                     Awakening environmental awareness and responsibility within the College community

·                     Fostering positive relationships within the College community, including students, staff, parents and friends

·                     Aspiring towards world’s best practice in youth education and development.

The College has policies in place for Child Protection, Behaviour Management and Anti-Bullying in support of our school ethos.

The College  Chaplain: Fr. George.
The role of the Chaplain is to provide general religious and personal advice and support to all students and staff regardless of their religious denomination.  Fr George is an ordained minister of religion since 1979 as well as a Marriage Celebrant.  He not only performs Sunday services, but is also involved in dispensing the Sacrament of Baptism each Sunday as well as performing Weddings and funerals when required.  He is available to all members of the College community in their times of need, hardship, dysfunction, accident and illness.  He is available to offer support and help so that a greater sense of well being and healing can be achieved by those who have a need in their times of grief, loss or difficulty. 
Fr George supports the College community by creating an environment of respect, compassion and co-operation by his presence at the College, addressing Assemblies, performing Chapel Services, giving instruction and accepting invitations to be present at RE lessons for guidance, counsel, and instruction on relevant topics.  He is available to help students explore their own spirituality, lead more wholesome lives, be happy and co-operative and show respect and tolerance to all those around them.
Fr George is available to provide continuity and on-going support for individual students, staff and parents where and when this is necessary.

Parental Involvement:
St. Michael’s College is a community of learners including students, staff and parents. It is firmly believed that a student’s progress is the result of a partnership between the College and the parents. Parent involvement in the College is supported and encouraged and parents may become involved in the College as follows:

·                     Classroom Assistance – courses are run for parents who are interested in assisting with students

·                     P & F Association – meets monthly and is a vital part of the College ethos

·                     Parent Committees – committees are formed to oversee Fundraising, to plan the annual College Fair,  to run the Tuckshop, to support school Musicals and to assist in other College events throughout the year

·                     Board Representation – a College parent represents the parent body at College Board meetings.

Staffing Information:

Qualifications of all Teachers 2008:

Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development in 2007:

Average Staff attendance in 2007 (Teachers and School Leaders)

The staff attendance rate was 98 % in 2006.

Proportion of teaching staff retained from 2006 in 2007:

Key Student Outcomes

 ACADEMIC RESULTS - BENCHMARK DATA
Students across Queensland participate in a State wide testing program in Years 3, 5 and 7. The data below shows the results for St. Michael’s College students in those year levels in 2007.

Percentage of students in 2006 and 2007 above the national benchmark:

ValueAdded:

·                     Christian Ethos

·                     Range of extra-curricular activities

·                     Learning Support program showing improved outcomes for students with disabilities and special learning needs

Parent, student and teacher satisfaction:

St. Michael's College gathers information about parent, student and staff satisfaction via a range of means. Administrative staff cultivate a school environment where parents, students and staff have full access to the Principal and Deputy Principal to discuss issues that may be affecting student learning negatively.

The Parents & Friends Association is supported by the Principal and she attends all meetings, encouraging a forum where concerns and issues can be discussed and follow-up carried out where required.

St. Michael's College has a high retention rate for staff and student enrolments and a healthy waiting list. The College has full enrolments in each year level, and has enough students on the waiting list to increase enrolments each year as classes are double-streamed according to the Strategic Plan.