Introduction

For the first time in over a decade our school’s population growth slowed to a much more manageable level.  It seems we will have a couple of years of respite from rapid enrolment growth due to the effects of the Global Financial Crisis which has resulted in very slow real estate development in our catchment area.  Although this will undoubtedly change again in the near future, it has been a very good chance to consolidate on many aspects and operations of the school without the constant issues of rapid growth.  The construction of our new two storey classroom block began early in 2010 with completion in October.  The additional classroom space addressed previous growth issues as well as providing an additional two much needed multi-purpose areas which have been developed into a gymnasium and a music room.  The construction of our new Library was completed late in 2010 through the Building the Education Revolution program, which has developed into a wonderful resource for our students and staff.  Curriculum development and implementation consolidated on work from previous years.  We are now waiting for the release of the Australian Curriculum in Term 4 2011.  We received considerable community support from a wide range of community groups, service clubs and local businesses.  The Island Charity Swim celebrated its tenth year and as a result the event experienced increased interest and support from the community.  To help promote the Island Charity Swim, the Black Tie and Board Shorts Ball was organised and raised considerable funds for the two Special Schools on the Sunshine Coast .

School progress towards its goals in 2010

From the beginning of 2010 a new school structure was implemented with the formal operation of Junior, Middle and Senior Sectors.  This has added a much more responsive dimension to the operation of our school with each sector led by their Sector Leaders addressing particular focus areas that were relevant to that sector.  SET Plans were implemented for all senior students.  The introduction of the new Head of Curriculum role provided increased curriculum support for teachers across the school.  Students continued to access community based programs to provide functional contexts for learning in literacy and numeracy.  There was an increased emphasis in implementing the Smart Choices policy through the promotion of healthy food and drink and regular physical exercise.  The implementation of the Developing Performance Framework for teachers has resulted in planning of specific professional development activities across the school.  The success of the annual School Concert once again highlighted the skills of our students.  The use of technology increased throughout the school.  The success and sharing of ideas for the use of interactive whiteboards and other devices has paved the way for a strong focus on the use technology in the future.

Future outlook

There will be a great opportunity for 2011 to be a building year in many ways.  Setting up the Library will continue so that it will be fully operational at some stage through the year.  There will need to be an added emphasis on exploring a wider use of technology through increased use of interactive whiteboards and the use of iPads as communication devices for students with communication difficulties.  Purchasing additional equipment and devices along with the professional development for staff will allow building on to a good foundation of technology within the school.  The release of the Australian Curriculum in Term 4 2011 will provide an opportunity to begin the alignment process with our existing curriculum structure and practices.  The current process of teachers sharing ideas and practices will continue in 2011.  This area of operation has been a highly successful dimension of the school and needs to continue to be developed over the year ahead.

School Profile

Coeducational or single sex: Coeducational

Year levels offered: Special

Total student enrolments for this school:

Characteristics of the student body:

All students have disabilities with the age range from 6 to 19 years.  The Junior School continued to grow in numbers.  The socio-economic characteristic of families reflects the socio-economic characteristics of the Sunshine Coast as a region.

School Disciplinary Absences

Curriculum offerings

Our distinctive curriculum offerings

Our curriculum offerings are focused on a needs-based approach to prepare students for adult life.  Learning programs are organised under the five curriculum organisers; Present and Future Studies; Family and Community Life; Physical Development, Leisure and Recreation; Work Skills, Ethics and Attitudes; Interdisciplinary.  Programs include;

Functional Literacy and Numeracy

Development of Motor Skills

Sensory Stimulation

Development of Independence Skills

Development of Self Care Skills

Mobility and Orientation

Active Learning

Community Based Programs

Senior Schooling Programs

Development of Functional Communication Skills

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy

Development of Recreational and Leisure Skills

School Based Work Programs

Community Based Work Programs

Extra curricula activities

Students participate in a selection of the extra curricula activities listed below.

Active School Communities Sports

ARL Skills Clinics

Arts Council

Beach Safety Program

Disco Fun Night

Drumming Workshop

Horse Riding

Interschool Football

Interschool Swimming

Lawn Bowls

Make a Wish Party

Photography Course

Sailing

School Camps

School Concert

Spiritus Party and Dance

Swimming Carnival

Ten Pin Bowling

Wildflowers Christmas Concert and Party

Woody Point Fun Run

How Information and Communication Technologies are used to assist learning

Information and communication technologies are used to develop skills in literacy, numeracy, on task behaviour, written communication, oral communication, augmentative communication, sensory interaction, gross motor, fine motor and fitness.  The use of all technologies is focused on developing skills for life.  As new technologies become available, their relevance, impact and overall effect on learning are trialled and implemented if productive for students.

Social climate

Our school aims to provide a safe, happy and stimulating learning environment for all of our students.  In the School Opinion Survey, 95.9% of parents responded that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with whether their child was safe at school.  95.8% of parents responded that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with whether their child was treated fairly at school.  100% of parents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the behaviour of students.  95.8% of parents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the discipline at school.  95.8% of parents were either satisfied or very satisfied that their child was happy to go to school.

Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school

Parent satisfaction was completely in the very satisfied range across all categories and above the state average.  Staff satisfaction was in the very satisfied range for five of the categories and in the satisfied range for the other two categories.

Involving parents in their child’s education.

All parents were involved in regular planning and reviewing of their children’s education through the Individual Education Planning (IEP) process.  Meetings occurred regularly, at least two times per year.  All parents had the opportunity to meet more frequently if they wished.  All parents had the opportunity to communicate with teachers on a daily basis through Communication Books and Student Diaries.  These processes helped to develop and ensure a positive and productive relationship between parents and teachers.

Reducing the school’s environmental footprint

With an additional 8 classrooms, 10 toilets, 2 multi-purpose rooms and a new library coming on line during 2010, additional costs were expected.  However, the installation of solar panels and energy saving devices to reduce electricity costs and the installation of water tanks there was a reduction in costs.

Staff composition, including Indigenous Staff

Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development.

The total funds expended on teacher professional development in 2010 was $18 458.

The major professional development initiatives are as follows:

Teaching and Learning

Curriculum and Pedagogy

Technology

Special Education Conferences

Behaviour Support

Autism

Epilepsy

Gastrostomy Feeding

Post School Options

Student Protection Training

Code of Conduct Training

Leadership

Encouraging Diversity

Wildlife and Conservation

Pool Hoist Training

Bronze Medallion

Sexuality and Relationships Education

Crossing Cultures

Literacy

Numeracy

OneSchool Training

Vision Impairment

Communication

Therapeutic Aquatics

First Aid

CPR

Chronic Constipation Management

Sharing in Classroom Practices and Strategies

The involvement of the teaching staff in professional development activities during 2010 was 100 %.

Average staff attendance

For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders, the staff attendance rate was 96% in 2010.

Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year.

From the end of the previous school year, 87% of staff were retained by the school for the entire 2010 school year.