St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Address:
Stutchbury Street
Page ACT 2614
Principal:
Ms Brenda Foley
Parish Priest / School Chaplain:
Fr Michael Mullen
School Board / Council Chair:
Ms Kate Hayne
Telephone:
02 6254 2653
Fax:
02 6254 9009
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
stmattsps.act.edu.au
This report was prepared by:
Brenda Foley
PRINCIPAL
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Principal’s Message
At St Matthew’s Primary School, we strive to build a vibrant and welcoming community, where our
relationship with Jesus is central, learning is engaging, individual achievements are celebrated and
where the children are at the heart of what is most important. Our school lives out the Gospel values
of love and respect for all. We know each child by name and appreciate each one as a special gift
with unique talents and abilities. During their time at St Matthew's, each student is challenged to
develop as a whole person and become a life-long learner.
School Council Message
This year, the Community Council continued to work collaboratively with the school in assisting with
policy decisions and providing general support. The Executive and Committees run numerous events
throughout the year that contribute to the community spirit of St Matthew’s. The Council ensures
the community is kept informed of the decisions made and the allocation of fundraising money to
enhance the school environment and our children’s educational resources. Open Meetings provide
an opportunity for the community to contribute and parents and carers are always encouraged to
participate and engage through this forum.
Student Representative’s Message
Our school is a warm and inviting place for all. Students here always strive for our best in everything
we do and have fun doing it. St Matthew’s students are known for their respect for all God’s
creation. The teachers are great role models on how we should work and live and are always there
to lend a hand and are always supportive. They also respect each and every one of us. St Matthew’s
community members are always volunteering for our fundraisers and welcome all new families with
open arms and a warm smile. At St Matthew’s we lead by the example of St Matthew who led others
in truth and love. There is no place we’d rather be that St Matthew’s – our home away from home.
Alyssa Laggner and Leah Brown, Year 6 students
SCHOOL FEATURES
St Matthew’s Primary School is a Catholic Primary School located in Page ACT. The school caters for
students in Kindergarten - Year 6, and has a current enrolment of 342 students.
Students attending this school come from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities consisting of
174 male and 163 female students; 7 indigenous students; and 7 with a Language Background other
than English (LBOTE).
The school employs 27 staff comprising 20 teachers and 7 non-teaching staff, the latter being
employed in a variety of capacities including Office Managers, Learning Support Assistants and
Canteen Workers. We currently employ no Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff.
We endeavour to provide our students with educational experiences that will prepare them for the
world of tomorrow, while allowing them to enjoy and engage in the world of today. We support our
families and children by providing learning experiences that equip the children spiritually,
emotionally, academically and physically.
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
We also involve the students in many extra curricular activities to further engage and enhance their
learning. These include an in-school enrichment program for high achievers, annual participation in
the RoboCup robotics competition, lunchtime clubs including dance, choir, recorder, games,
gardening and craft.
We are known for our strong community spirit and commitment to family and service at St
Matthew's. Our Community Council provides guidance to the school and direction for strategic
planning. The Community Council Executive comprises five elected parent representatives, two
teaching staff including the Principal, and our Parish Priest. The Community Council Committees
provide social and fundraising experiences throughout the school year, including; our financially
successful annual fete, walkathon, discos, mothers and fathers day breakfasts, trivia nights, pizza
and bingo nights and raffles. The Community Council's generosity in purchasing resources for the
school is greatly appreciated and honoured by the staff and students.
The school’s website can be found at www.stmattsps.act.edu.au.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
St Matthew’s Primary School follows the Archdiocesan Religious Education Curriculum, Treasures
New and Old.
We are proud to be a Catholic school, serving the parish of St Matthew's in Page. We have close
relationships with the parish community, and pride ourselves on the way in which school and parish
work together. The Sacramental programs at St Matthew’s are parish-based, with the school
working closely with the parish team including our parish priest Fr Michael, the parish school of
religion and families to help implement the programs.
Our mission at St Matthew's is to be a Christ-centred community in which our uniqueness is
cherished and nurtured. Students are encouraged to develop their spirituality by being more Christlike. We endeavour to provide an environment where the children develop strength of character,
where they are challenged to develop a wide range of thinking and communication skills, and where
they are encouraged to make wise decisions to ensure that there is a balance in their lives and to
develop a sense of citizenship.
The theme for our 2014 school year has been ‘In Truth and Love We Listen Learn Lead’.
Our school theme integrates each year with our ongoing Restorative Practice Program, where we ask
the students to think about their actions and the actions of others and reflect upon what choices
could have, should have and can be made in the future. The programme is designed to foster the
physical and emotional well-being of all school community members through the explicit teaching of
the skills, attitudes and understandings needed for safe and healthy living. Student led lessons are
held fortnightly and can be multi-aged throughout the school or individual classes. The lessons focus
on developing the children's social skills and emotional intelligence, based on the school's core
values of: belonging, respect, doing your best, learn.
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT - NAPLAN
Students in Years 3 and 5 sat the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
in May this year. NAPLAN assessment results provide valuable information about student
achievements in Literacy and Numeracy. An analysis of these results assists school planning and is
used to support teaching and learning programs.
School and National Mean Scale Scores
YEAR 3
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
National
419
402
412
426
402
School
457
430
425
472
426
YEAR 5
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
National
501
468
498
504
487
School
532
469
514
522
500
Proportion of students at or above the National Minimum Standard
YEAR 3
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
National
94%
94%
93%
94%
95%
School
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
YEAR 5
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
National
93%
90%
93%
93%
93%
School
100%
98%
98%
100%
100%
Proportion of students in each Achievement Band
YEAR 3
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
Band 6
41%
13%
27%
46%
23%
Band 5
16%
44%
13%
21%
26%
Band 4
33%
29%
40%
29%
28%
Band 3
10%
13%
19%
2%
17%
Band 2
0%
2%
2%
2%
6%
Band 1
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
YEAR 5
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar &
Punctuation
Numeracy
Band 8
29%
0%
7%
19%
10%
Band 7
17%
5%
38%
31%
24%
Band 6
26%
34%
24%
19%
29%
Band 5
21%
51%
24%
21%
24%
Band 4
7%
7%
5%
10%
14%
Band 3
0%
2%
2%
0%
0%
The above tables show our Year 3 students were above the National Mean and the National
Minimum Standard and were well represented in the top three bands of achievement for all strands.
Our Year 5 students were above the National Mean in all strands and above the National Minimum
Standard for Reading and Grammar, Punctuation and Numeracy. A number of initiatives have
impacted positively on these results including the implementation of a range of teaching strategies
to improve pedagogy in Numeracy. NAPLAN results will be further analysed to inform and guide the
direction for future improvements, particularly in the area of Writing.
SCHOOL POLICIES
Enrolment Policy
In enrolling students we are directed by the Archdiocesan Enrolment Policy which can be found on
the Annual Report page of the school’s website or on the Catholic Education Office website at
http://www.ceocg.catholic.edu.au/parents/Pages/GeneralPolicies.aspx
Parents/carers interested in enrolling their children at St Matthew's are encouraged to visit the
school for a tour led by Year 6 Student Leaders. Parents/carers are then invited to attend an
interview with the Principal to discuss enrolment.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend school on all days that the school is open. If students are not able
to attend school, a written explanation for the absence is required from the parents. Such
notification may be given in advance of the absence if the absence is planned or upon the student’s
return to school following an unexpected absence. The class teacher accurately records the
attendance or non-attendance of a student in the Class Roll and follows up with parents to obtain
written verification of the reason for the absence if a parent has not provided the information in a
reasonable timeframe.
Class teachers monitor the non-attendance of students in their class and implement procedures for
follow up of a student whose attendance is extended or irregular and without reasonable
explanation. When a student has been absent for two or more days without contact having been
made with the school, the class teacher phones the parent/s to ascertain the reason for the absence
and offer pastoral care as appropriate to the circumstances.
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
Where the reason for absence is not satisfactory or the student is reluctant to return to school, the
class teacher will encourage a return to school. Where the approach by the class teacher is
unsuccessful or a pattern of irregular attendance develops, the matter is referred to the Assistant
Principal who makes contact with the family and arranges for an interview with the parents and
child in order to re-establish regular attendance. Additionally, the school may seek the assistance of
the school counsellor or Parish Priest to assist the child/parents with a return to school. Other
strategies as appropriate to the circumstances and within the resources of the school are explored.
These may include a buddy system, reward system, assistance with transport, visit to the home etc.
Where the approach/es by the Assistant Principal is/are unsuccessful, the matter is referred to the
Principal who makes contact with the family and arranges for an interview with the parents and
child in order to encourage attendance. The Principal ensures the parents are aware of their
obligations under the ACT Education Act 2004 and if appropriate makes contact with external
agencies that may be able to assist.
In the event that all possible avenues available to the school to encourage attendance have been
exhausted without success, the Principal makes contact with the Catholic Education Office School
Review and Development Officer for advice about arranging a meeting with an authorised nongovernment schools person.
Student Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Protocol
Our Student Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Protocol is based on the premise that we can all act in a
positive manner, with the aim of restoring relationships that may be damaged through conflict or
poor behaviour choices. We develop these understandings through class activities which are then
reinforced by our Year 6 Leaders during cross-age Making Jesus Real (MJR) groups that are loosely
based on a peer support model.
Our community is united in stating that delibrate physical contact, disrespect and bullying will not be
tolerated in any form at St Matthew’s Primary School. This means we expect all students in our
community to treat one another with dignity and respect by modeling polite speech and socially
acceptable interactions. In the event this expectation is breached, the Student Behaviour Protocol is
used to address the problem. Corporal punishment is expressly prohibited in this school. In addition
we do not sanction the administering of corporal punishment by non-school persons to enforce
discipline at our school.
The full text of the school’s Student Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Protocol is available on the school
website or from the Front Office.
Complaints and Grievances Resolution Policy
The school policy is based on procedural fairness and recognises that parents and caregivers must
have access to processes that allow them to resolve concerns in a supportive and conciliatory
environment. Any concerns raised are responded to promptly and fairly and confidentiality is always
maintained. A full text of the school policy is available on the school website or from the Front
Office.
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community
PRIORITIES AND TARGETS
Developing a more rigorous and effective approach to the teaching of spelling skills has been a
significant focus for the St Matthew's staff in 2014. With the support of an officer from the Catholic
Education Office, we have undertaken extensive professional learning about pedagogy in spelling,
and have refined and aligned our agreed practice to ensure consistency across the school. We have
developed a scope and sequence to ensure all key concepts and understandings are taught in a
logical, coherent and consistent manner. Evidence of early success is witnessed in the student’s
writing where spelling is more accurate.
Professional learning in the teaching of numeracy continues to be a focus for the teaching
community. We have refined our programming practices to better cater for the demands of the
Australian Curriculum and our understanding of the most effective processes to use in mathematical
instruction. We have seen a steady increase in the students' results, both in school assessments and
in NAPLAN results. Our NAPLAN results in Numeracy were a cause of professional pride this year as
they reflect our students’ achievement as being above both National and Territory means.
Environmental sustainability continues to be a major focus at St Matthew's. We have a beautifully
established main courtyard as our environmental centre, which includes an abundant vegetable
patch and seven laying chickens. Our lunchtime student Gardening Club members work with staff on
planting and growing vegetables and flowers. Our Year 6 student leaders who choose to be Eager
Environmentalists also work as part of this team on keeping our school green. Our waste disposal
practices have been examined, and procedures have been refined to allow sustainability, including
energy efficiency, to flourish at St Matthew's.
St Matthew’s Primary School Page – School Report to the Community