COWPER PUBLIC SCHOOL PLAN 2014
SCHOOL CONTEXT
Cowper Public School is a PP5 school and is located in the Clarence Valley, 25 kilometres northeast of Grafton. The school provides education for
students drawn predominantly from rural areas of Brushgrove, Tyndale and Cowper.
Cowper is a school where students feel supported and respected, and where school staff actively work the ensure students are engaged and able to
learn in a positive environment and thrive in the 21st century.
Strong emphasis in placed on literacy and numeracy using a wide range of resources. We have an effective discipline policy with a focus on nurturing
student responsibility and building self-worth and resilience.
We enjoy spacious, well-equipped classrooms. Our grounds are well maintained with extensive playground equipment, vegetable garden and where a
sustainable school environment is encouraged.
Cowper Public School is a friendly welcoming school, where students are provided with a quality education.
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY AREA/S
Literacy
Numeracy
Engagement and Attainment
Leadership and Management
Organisational Effectiveness
Aboriginal Education
INTENDED OUTCOME/S
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
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Improved student learning outcomes for all students in literacy and numeracy
Provision of professional learning support to guide the implementation of the Australian
curriculum syllabus documents
Revise school based management processes and policies with the view to achieving greater
alignment with DEC policy expectations and Local Schools Local decisions implications
Develop structured transition to school and to high school programs to ensure a supported
transition ensuring success for all students.
Broaden the provision of learning opportunities and engagement through technology.
Implement aspects of the L3 framework within Kindergarten to Year 2 programs.
Enhance teacher quality through professional learning focusing on the quality teaching
framework.
Support student access to a broad and differentiated curriculum
TARGET/S
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


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60 % of students in Year 3 achieving at or above cluster 9 on the literacy continuum in writing, and achieving at or above in aspect 2 and aspect 4 of the numeracy
continuum
60 % of students in Year 5 achieving at cluster 11 on the literacy continuum in writing, and achieving at aspect 3 and aspect 4 of the numeracy continuum
Revise current policies and operational processes to enhance the effective management of the school, including preparing for the implementation of Local Schools
Local Decisions
Achieve quality partnerships between home, school and community
Build leadership capacity at Cowper Public School through an increase in staff knowledge, understanding and implementation of Professional Learning Plans and
Principal Professional Learning & Leadership Plans
PRINCIPAL’S SIGNATURE
SED ENDORSEMENT
DATE
School leadership Team to embed quality
teaching and learning systems focused on
evidence-based literacy practices across
all programs and key learning areas
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Literacy
60 % of students in Year 3 achieving at or above cluster 9 on the literacy continuum in writing
60 % of students in Year 5 achieving at cluster 11 on the literacy continuum in writing
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
Provide professional learning in teaching literacy
– best practice linking to the Quality Teaching
model.
Teacher capacity in literacy is
enhanced leading to improved
teaching and learning.
Implement programs to support teaching
 L3
 PLAN, Kindergarten assessment
 Super Six comprehension strategies
Stage 1 teacher trained in L3
Improved results in L3 data
PLAN results put into classroom
practice
Increased student results in
comprehension
School scope and sequence evident
in programming
Develop a school-based scope and sequence for
New English Syllabus
Examine current available resources, both
physical and human, and source new resources
to support teaching and learning literacy
programs - SLSO working with targeted children
and with Stage One teacher with L3
Consolidation of Focus on Reading (3-6) program
Improved results in NAPLAN and
classroom assessments
Principal & CRT to organise and present
Numeracy workshop during National Literacy &
Numeracy Week
Students engage and participate in Premier’s
Reading Challenge
Parents report a greater
understanding of and ability to
assist their child at home
100% students involved in
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Improved results in NAPLAN and
classroom assessments
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
Principal
Global
$2000
ES1 - S1 Teacher
CRT
Global
$750
Principal
CRT
Nil
CRT
Global
$2000
CRT
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
CRT
Nil
School leadership Team to embed quality
teaching and learning systems focused on
evidence-based numeracy practices across
all programs and key learning areas
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Numeracy
60 % of students achieving at or above in aspect 2 and aspect 4 of the numeracy continuum
60 % of students achieving at aspect 3 and aspect 4 of the numeracy continuum
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
Teaching staff participated in PL in New
Mathematics Syllabus
All New Mathematics Syllabus
modules completed
Develop a school-based scope and sequence for
New Mathematics Syllabus
School Scope and Sequence
evident in programming
NAPLAN teaching strategies are utilised
Improved automatic recall of basic
number facts across four
operations
Support G & T students through Tournament of
the Times
Improved automatic recall of basic
number facts in multiplication
Principal & CRT to organise and present
Numeracy workshop during National Literacy &
Numeracy Week
Parents report a greater
understanding of and ability to
assist their child at home
School based training in Teaching Early Numeracy Improved students numeracy
(TEN)
results in classroom assessments
CRT implement and monitor Mathletics program
Implementation and monitoring of
Mathletics program completed
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
Principal
CRT
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
CRT
Nil
CRT
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
Principal
CRT
Joint allocation
with Maclean PS
and Palmers Is PS
CRT
Global
$600
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Leadership and Management
Enhance teacher quality through
professional learning focusing on the
quality teaching framework.
To build leadership capacity at Cowper Public School through an increase in staff knowledge,
understanding and implementation of Professional Learning Plans and Principal Professional
Learning & Leadership Plans
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
To adopt best practice performance
management and staffing arrangements
that articulate a clear role for the Principal
as mentor and leader
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
TARS
Quality Teaching Framework
evident in practise
PLP’s developed
Continuation of effective staff and
Principal communication
Effective and highly skilled teachers
and Principal.
Professional Learning Plans/ Principal
Professional Learning & Leadership Plans
Introduce evidence based criteria for
accreditation during staff meetings
Increased professional
understanding and discussion
around the framework.
Teachers aware of what the
standards loo and sound like.
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
Principal
Nil
Principal
Nil
Principal
Nil
To embrace and inform staff and
community on Local Schools, Local
Decisions framework
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Organisational Effectiveness
To use the CVCOSS to ensure the efficient use of resources, to enhance professional learning
opportunities, to promote professional dialogue and to provide collegial support
Revise current policies, operational processes and accountability pathways to enhance the effective
management of the school, including preparing for the implementation of Local Schools Local
Decisions
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
Dimensions of Quality Teaching Framework
examined in weekly staff meeting
Increased professional discussion
around the framework.
PL SAM & Principal on RAM
Increased understanding with
allocation of resources and
implications of LMBR.
Shared resources and planning
Principal to attend PPA Meetings/ CVCoSS each
term
Principal to attend State Conference
Liaison within DEC to support and align resources
with regional priorities
Update Work Health & Safety to align with new
format
Shared and strengthened
professional Learning
opportunities.
Staff and community well informed
on the DEC reforms within Local
School, Local Decisions through P &
C meetings, assemblies, newsletter
and Website.
All WHS mandatory elements
reassessed and in place.
Cowper Public School Emergency
Management Plan completed
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
Principal
CRT
Nil
Principal
SAM
Global
$1000
Principal
Principal Relief Days
$2000
Principal
Nil
Principal
Nil
Support student Access to a broad and
differentiated curriculum
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Engagement and Attainment
To identify high achieving students, and ensuring that differentiated teaching practices are in place
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
Ensure that classroom programs display high
levels of Intellectual Quality and Significance
Students have access to various
multimodal strategies
Ensure classrooms offer high level of Social
Support and that expectations are high
Few incidences of behaviour issues
K - 2 GATS small group focus during Literacy
sessions
GATS children extension evident in
achievements
Professional Learning in New Science &
Technology and History Syllabuses
Students complete research
assignments and Science
investigations
Success in Premier’s Debating
Challenge
Assemblies
Implementation of music teacher
terms 3 and 4
Inter School Debates & Public Speaking
Survey with community on CAPA Curriculum
Initiate multiple modes of communication used
between home, school and community
Kindergarten Transition to School Program &
Year 6 participation in high school transition
activities
Implementation of iPads and quality apps
Revised website, permission notes
included on website (greater
return of notes), Google calendar
Transition programs support
students transitioning into
Kindergarten and Year 7
Students having access to quality
apps with differentiated learning
capabilities
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
CRT
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
CRT
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
CRT
Nil
Principal
Global
$1200
Principal
SAM
Nil
CRT
Global
$5000
Principal
CRT
Global
$2000
Teaching and Learning strategies
strengthened through implementation of
quality evidence based programs and
initiatives.
Increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander parental engagement in
supporting their child’s learning.
To achieve quality partnerships between home, school and community
TARGET/S
OUTCOME/S
SCHOOL IDENTIFIED PRIORITY - Aboriginal Education
To improve literacy and numeracy achievement levels in classroom assessments
STRATEGIES
INDICATORS
Data used to create PLP for identified Aboriginal
students
Parents involved in the development and review
of PLP’s and Yarn Ups
Classroom teacher involved in joint planning for
successful implementation of PLP’s
Local Aboriginal cultural knowledge and
perspective integrated into Key Learning Areas
within New Australian Curriculum
SLSO employed to work with Aboriginal students
to enhance student learning outcomes
Provide and conduct suitable activities for all
students, parents and the wider community to
develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal
histories, culture and experiences.
All Aboriginal students have PLP’s.
TIMEFRAME
2014
RESPONSIBILITY
CRT
FUNDING
SOURCE/BUDGET
Nil
CRT
Evidence of PLP outcomes are clear
in teaching programs.
Evidence in teaching program and
classroom activities.
Parent/Carers
Nil
Principal
CRT
Nil
Increased confidence and
improved achievement outcomes.
Indigenous students feel culturally
safe at school
Principal
SLSO
RAM Equity
$2900
Principal
Nil