Annual School Development Report 2005-2006

Annual School Development Report 2005-2006

Mary Queen of the World School

785 Topsail Road

Mount Pearl, NL

A1N 3J6

709- 368-0710 (Voice)

709-368-2242 (Fax)

www.mqw.k12.nf.ca

Eastern School District Strategic Goals

To challenge and develop the learning and achievement capabilities of each student in Eastern School District and to provide safe, caring learning environments in all schools in the Eastern School District.

Principal’s Message

This Annual School Development Report outlines our students’ achievements, programs and services, and puts forward our interim School Development Plan. In 2005-6 Mary Queen of the World School began implementing the new provincial school development model and we are in the process of applying this model to our school plan. In the meantime, we have been working on goals outlined in previous years. It is our intention to complete our transition to this approach by the end of this school year.

Our School Development Plan for 2006-07 builds on the strategies that were successful last year and concentrates on new objectives. Based on current data analysis, this year’s plan aims to:

· foster a caring and safe school environment,

· continue improved performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics,

· support a positive and collaborative climate within the school community

· continue improvements to computer resources and technological supports

· promote wellness and healthy eating among students and staff

We are extremely pleased with the support and direction we have received from our school community. We are particularly grateful to the members of the school development team and the various committees for their leadership and commitment to our school. As always, we are grateful for the continued dedication of teachers in their exceptional work every day in imparting the curriculum to students.. We thank the student assistants for their caring work with our students. We acknowledge the dedicated service of our volunteers particularly for their work with the Kids Eat Smart Breakfast Club, the Knights of Columbus Literacy programme, the Scholastic Book Fairs, the School Council, the Frosty Festival, the fundraising ventures and the many field trips. We anticipate having another successful year as we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Mary Queen of the World School. For additional information, please contact us.

Margaret Wakeham Colleen Conway

Principal Assistant Principal

School Council Message

The School Council of Mary Queen of the World is pleased to report on our activities for the 2005-2006 school year. The School Council members for 2005-2006 are:

Chairperson - Karen Holden Vice Chairperson – Ted Kennedy

Parent Representative – Geriann McArthur Parent Representative – Ann Marie Penny

Parent Representative – Alfred Whiffen Community Representative – Paula Walsh

Teacher Representative - Colleen Conway Teacher Representative – Lynn Gibbons

Principal – Margaret Wakeham

During the past school year the Mary Queen of the World School Council met in the School Library on the second Tuesday of each month. Some of the issues and initiatives we worked on during this year:

The Intensive Core French Program for Grade 6 students successfully completed its first year. This program will continue in September 2006.
Fundraising ideas and fundraising requirements were always important issues and a regular agenda item at our School Council meetings. The 2005-2006 year was no exception. The administration of MWQ organized many successful fundraising events this year; the most successful event was a lap-a-thon held in late fall. We continue to have strong participation with our recycling days.
The literacy program run by the Knights of Columbus had another successful year. This program is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and provides immeasurable benefits to students and volunteers alike.
We’ve made much progress upgrading and improving technology at MQW; every classroom is now wired for the INTERNET and we are systematically replacing old computers with newer ones.
MQW has introduced a new ‘healthy living’ menu for the cafeteria and ‘Breakfast Club’. The menu promotes building healthy lifestyles and promoting healthy eating habits. The menu was well received by students and parents!
MQW continues to improve our student’s participation in external community events.
MQW is proud of the improvements received in all provincial testing, particularly in Language Arts and Mathematics – where the scores have almost reached provincial averages.
This year a new initiative was introduced where physical education and music were combined into one very exciting physical activity for all students. MQW is committed to providing as much physical education as possible for the students. Initiatives such as intramurals, after school basketball, the swimming program, participation in the Frosty Festival soccer and the Terry Fox Run, continue to be integral parts of our commitment to physical education.

Karen Holden

Chairperson

School Council

Message from the Director of Education

The preliminary strategic goals of the newly constituted Eastern School Board are as follows:

· To challenge and develop the learning and achievement capabilities of each student in Eastern School District.

· To provide safe, caring learning environments in all schools in the Eastern School District.

This school report provides you with information about your school’s performance during the school year 2005-2006. It allows you to assess how well your school and its community are doing toward accomplishing the goals set by the Eastern School Board. It allows you to learn about the school and its challenges and successes, and it provides insights on how you might be able to better support your school.

Eastern School Board is proud of the accomplishments of all schools within its jurisdiction. As a result of many dedicated professionals, parents, and community volunteers, our schools continue to provide excellent educational opportunities for our students. However, if we are to maximize our efforts in the achievement of the above noted goals, the Eastern School Board, district professional support personnel, teachers, parents, and school communities will have to work together to ensure that each student’s learning is supported to the extent necessary to ensure success. Some students will require more time and effort from parents, teachers, and other supportive members of the school community. They will need to spend more time than others on their own learning and teachers will have to provide alternate teaching interventions for them. If we are to succeed in our goal of ensuring success for each student, our school communities will have to be more committed to education than ever.

During the 2006-2007 school year, Eastern School Board will engage all district partners in a comprehensive strategic planning process that will set direction for the future. Your input in developing the Board=s strategic plan is important because that plan will impact each school and each student=s learning experience. We encourage you to participate in the quest to improve educational opportunities for our children and our youth and to advocate for public education at every opportunity.

DARIN T. KING, Ph.D.

2. Overview of School

Mission Statement (Interim)

Mary Queen of the World School is committed to providing quality teaching and learning for all students in a safe, caring, collaborative and supportive environment.

Our School Community

Mary Queen of the World School is a K-6 school in Mount Pearl and is part of the Eastern District. This year marks the 50^th year of operation for Mary Queen of the World School. It has an enrolment of 458 students and offers grades Kindergarten through Grade 6. This enrolment has held steady for the last three years. The average class size excluding kindergarten is 24 children. The average size for kindergarten is 17 per group. Seventy-five percent of our students are bussed to school.

Mary Queen of the World School has a total of 27 full time and 3 part-time educational staff which includes 19 classroom teachers, 4.5 categorical and non-categorical special education teachers, and specialist teachers in the areas of guidance, music, band, physical education, and learning resources. We also have 3.5 positions of student assistant. In addition to staff based at the school, we have access to the itinerant services of speech-language pathology, hearing impairment, visual impairment, and education psychology. Secretarial, maintenance, and custodial support services are provided.

Programs Provided

Mary Queen of the World School offers the provincially prescribed curriculum in Kindergarten through Grade 6. There are program offerings in Musici, Physical Education and French. The Grade 6 students have the option of choosing Intensive Core French . The school has a choir and a band, and participates in community events. There is a computer lab and a well stocked Learning Resources Centre.

Key Highlights/Special Projects

MQW School is very proud of the innovative program for combining Physical Education with Music one day per cycle. Mr. Powell and Mrs. Roberts have combined the outcomes of both programs to maximize the use of movement. This initiative also serves to provide fitness training while children learn about the musical folk practices of the international community. This model is being observed and admired throughout the district.

The school is also proud of its participation and success in the Frosty Festival Soccer tournament held each February. There is an active intramural program for senior students and special sessions for basketball. In the new year and into the spring, students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 can participate in swimming lessons. The school has an active choir and a new band. The choir performs at functions throughout the year.

Through the generous fundraising of parents, the school has begun the process of wiring the entire building for the INTERNET. This endeavour has involved acquiring dozens of new computers from Computers for Schools at reduced prices. Much progress has been made and the process continues. The school has also acquired new DVD players, televisions and projection units. It is our hope to acquire new screens this year and better audio equipment.

The Literacy Programme, the DARE initiative and the Breakfast Club are doing well. The school works with Big Brothers/Big Sisters to participate in mentoring and with Tutoring for Tuition to help children who need academic support. The new school-wide wellness promotion has positive implications for the overall health of the school community.

Partnerships

Our school is involved in three key partnerships. The Newfoundland and Labrador Kids Eat Smart Program helps our school offer nutritious breakfasts and lunch to all our students. Our partnering with the Knights of Columbus supports our Literacy Programme. Our partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary enables the grade 6 classes to participate in the DARE initiative.

3. School Development Plan

Mary Queen of the World School

The year 2005-06 marked the first year of implementation of the new School Development Plan model at Mary Queen of the World School. The school conducted surveys with the parents, students and staff to ascertain their perceived areas of strength and weakness. This internal review continues in 2006-07 as the school uses this information to articulate a long-term plan. As well as the surveys, the staff met on several occasions to analyze achievement data and school goals. The school began working on its plan and significant improvements were made in technology. Over 30 refurbished computers were purchased for the school and the entire building began being rewired for the internet. The process continues. The school revised the Breakfast Club menu to reflect more healthy eating choices and the cafeteria revised its menu as well. The school initiated a new effort to improve the level of safety and caring for students and this continues in 2006-07. The results of provincial assessments in grades 3 and 6 in Language Arts revealed important data concerning the academic progress of the school. Below are the initial goals as proposed in 2005-06. It is the school’s intention to finalize a four year plan by the end of the 2006-07 year.

Four Year School Development Plan 2004-2008

Goal 1: To improve student learning and achievement in Language Arts from Grades K - 6 by June 2009

Year	Objective	Objective
2005-06	Student achievement in composing constructed responses in Language Arts will continue to improve.	Provincial assessments will match or exceed district and provincial standards
2006-07	Students in K-2 will acquire improved strategies for reading texts for meaning	Provincial assessments in Grades 3 and 6 will indicate continued success in comparison to district and provincial standards
2007-08	Students will apply Language arts skills to responding effectively in all subject areas.	All students will read informational texts with greater understanding.
2008-09	Students will demonstrate their their ability to respond critically to a range of texts in a range of situations.	Students will demonstrate skills in reading and representing ideas effectively through spoken and visual means.

Goal 2: To improve student learning and achievement in Mathematics from Grades K - 6 by June 2009

Year	Objective	Objective
2005-06	Student achievement in communicating their understanding of mathematics will improve.	Provincial assessments will match or exceed district and provincial standards
2006-07	Students in K-3 will concentrate on improving reasoning skills	Students in Grades 4 to 6 will work on reasoning in number operations.
2007-08	In preparation	In preparation
2008-09	In preparation	In preparation

Goal 3: To promote and nurture a safe and caring school in a collaborative and respectful learning environment by June 2009.

Year	Objective	Objective	Objective
2005-06	Groups and individuals will use collaborative strategies, where appropriate, when making decisions	The school will initiate a school-wide behaviour plan	Staff members will work together in a variety of groupings to enhance the teaching and learning environment
2006-07	Teachers will participate in leadership training concerning safe and caring schools	The school behaviour plan will be implemented in all settings for all students	Teachers will engage in mentoring activities sharing expertise.
2007-08	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation
2008-09	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation

Goal 4: To continue improvements to the technological and computer supports and skills at school.

Year	Objective	Objective	Objective
2005-06	To wire the entire school for internet service	To provide every classroom with a computer linked to the central server and the internet	To replace aging computers in the Computer Lab
2006-07	Objective 4. 1 The entire school will be connected to the internet and registered on the school server	Objective 4.2 To provide every classroom and learning area with a connected computer	Objective 4.3 To provide technology training for students and teachers
2007-08	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation
2008-09	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation

Goal 5: To promote healthy lifestyles and general wellness for the school community.

Year	Objective	Objective	Objective
2005-06	To change the cafeteria menu to reflect healthy eating and choices	To revise the Breakfast Club choices to include fresh fruit and fewer fats and sugars.	To promote healthy eating at all school events
2006-07	To participate in the district initiative on wellness.	To target activities to improve fitness in staff and students	To fence the playground to allow all children to exercise safely outside.
2007-08	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation
2008-09	In preparation	In preparation	In preparation

Operational Issues

*Year*	*Issues*	*Issues*	*Issues*
2005-06	Wiring installed in entire school but not yet fully operational for internet and central server	Support materials need to be purchased to support Math and Language Arts programmes	Playground needed to be fenced
2006-07	Acquire new desks for elementary students	Acquire more computers through Computers for Schools	Ensure that all computers have virus protection installed.

4. Report on Most Current Data and Last Year’s School Development Plan (2005-06)

Summary Analysis of Most Current School Data

Our school’s most current data is a summary of school, district, and provincial results. It reflects progress we have made in some of our goal areas and identifies some areas we need to address in individual grades. We used this data to determine success in some of our strategies and to adjust the objectives for the coming year.

The results of the provincial testing noted progress in all areas in Language Arts and Mathematics from the 2004-05 round of testing. A greater number of students scored in the 4-5 range in constructed responses than in previous years. There were marked improvements in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. The school matched or exceeded district and provincial achievement in most categories in Grade 3 and 6 in both Language Arts and Mathematics.

Grade 3 Language Arts Provincial Test Results Extract

2003-04 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	80	70.3	2.6	67	29	52	54	44	81
Eastern District		70.8	2.7	66	50	59	55	54	79
Province		70.4	2.7	63	46	58	54	53	75

2004-05 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	75	82.3	1.9	45	55	58	36	57	85
Eastern District		82.8	2.3	56	54	52	46	61	82
Province		82.4	2.3	55	54	50	44	57	85

2005-06 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	71	69.3	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	58	50	51	81	92
Eastern District		72.7	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	68	58	44	70	84
Province		72.6	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	67	55	45	70	82

Grade 6 Language Arts Provincial Test Results Extract

2003-04 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	63	66.8	3.3	54	51	50	47	39	71
Eastern District		71.9	3.6	69	65	68	61	59	78
Province		70.5	3.5	61	61	63	57	54	74

2004-05 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	67	75.4	3.6	55	57	47	59	51	84
Eastern District		77.6	3.5	64	70	74	75	68	87
Province		76.7	3.5	63	69	74	74	64	83

2005-06 Reading and Writing % scoring 3, 4 and 5 on a 5 point rubric

	# of students	Multiple Choice Reading	MC Listening	Reading Narrative	Reading Information	Reading Poetic	Reading Visual	Listening	Demand Writing
MQW SCHOOL	49	79.4	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	89	87	91	76	93
Eastern District		80.9	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	84	83	78	76	88
Province		80.0	Not tested in 05	Not tested in 05	83	82	77	75	86

Grade 3 Mathematics Provincial Testing Extract 2005-06

2005-06

Multiple choice responses were similar to district and provincial scores. The following table shows the percentage of students who scored at 3, 4 or 5 in the constructed responses.

Shape/Space Number Concepts Number Operations

	Geometry	Measurement	Estimation	Place Value	Reasoning	Communication	Connections & Representations	Problem Solving
MQW School	34	21	27	41	41	23	27	49
Eastern District	37	28	28	45	26	23	26	35
Province	37	27	28	45	27	24	26	34

Grade 6 Mathematics Provincial Testing Extract 2005-06

2005-06

Multiple choice responses were similar to district and provincial scores. The following table shows the percentage of students who scored at 3, 4 or 5 in the constructed responses.

Shape/Space Number Concepts Number Operations

	Geometry	Measurement	Ratio	Place Value	Reasoning	Communication	Connections & Representations	Problem Solving
MQW School	27	43	61	37	17	22	24	30
Eastern District	27	36	46	39	20	18	24	38
Province	23	30	47	36	21	19	25	39

5. School Development Plan for Current Year

The School Development Plan for the current year is based on collective reflection and discussion during school development sessions in 2005-6 and extends projects already in motion in the previous year.

School Development Plan for 2006-07

Goal 1: To improve student learning and achievement in Language Arts from Grades K - 6 by June 2009

Objective 1.1 Students in Grades K-2 will acquire improved strategies for reading texts for meaning

Objective 1.2 Provincial assessments in Grades 3 and 6 will indicate continued success in comparison to district and provincial standards

Indicators of Success; Improved success on standardized assessment and improved success with all subjects

Indicators of Success: Greater proportion of scores in the 4 to 5 range and an increased proportion of students in the 3 and above range in provincial assessments

Strategies

1. To continue to assess reading with an emphasis in increasing the number of sight vocabulary understood prior to grade 3

2. To continue to reinforce decoding and comprehension strategies that enable reading for understanding

3. To ensure that classrooms have adequate supplies of leveled readers

4. To continue discussions about effective assessment and appropriate intervention

Strategies

1. To continue dedicated teacher professional development to promote effective reading and writing.

2. To continue to acquire literature and resources to help teachers assess student work appropriately.

3. To continue teacher to teacher mentorship to share expertise in teaching reading and writing.

4. To use rubrics for across the curriculum

Goal 1. Support Plan

Financial

Professional Development

Communication

Time Allocation

1.1.1

- dedicated funds for purchasing materials

- increased budget for teacher PD

1.1.1

- dedicated sessions during close-outs

- support for individual choices to improve skills

1.1.1

- summarize progress for teachers

- summarize progress for parents

1.1.1

- arrange time tables to accommodate grade level meetings during preps

- ensure that instructional time is being used wisely

Goal 2: To improve student learning and achievement in Mathematics from Grades K - 6 by June 2009

Objective 2.1 Students in K-3 will concentrate on improving reasoning skills

Objective 2.2 Students in Grades 4 to 6 will work on reasoning in number operations.

Indicators of Success; Improved success on provincial assessment and improved success in school evaluations

Indicators of Success: Improved results in provincial assessments and in-school evaluations

Strategies

Increase discussion of mathematics in grade level meetings
Share working strategies
Encourage reading on topics related to mathematics
Provide teacher to teacher mentoring
Ensure that the curriculum is being taught as intended
Use a rubric when scoring long answer questions
Work with parents to help them work with their children at home

Strategies

1. Increase discussion of mathematics in grade level meetings

2. Share working strategies

3. Encourage reading on topics related to mathematics

4. Provide teacher to teacher mentoring

5. Ensure that the curriculum is being taught as intended

6. Use a rubric when scoring long answer questions

7. Work with parents to help them work with their children at home

Goal 2. Support Plan

Financial

Professional Development

Communication

Time Allocation

2.1.1

- order additional print resources to support programs

- support the purchase of additional math resources

2.1.1

- dedicated sessions during close-outs

- support for individual choices to improve skills

2.1.1

- summarize progress for teachers

- summarize progress for parents

2.1.1

- arrange time tables to accommodate grade level meetings during preps

- ensure that instructional time is being used wisely

Goal 3: To promote and nurture a safe and caring school in a collaborative and respectful learning environment by June 2009.

Objective 3.1 Teachers will participate in Professional Development sessions concerning safe and caring schools

Objective 3.2 The school behaviour plan will be implemented in all settings for all students

Indicators of Success: There will be fewer incidents requiring student suspension.

Indicators of Success: More orderly and respectful school with fewer behaviour incidents.

Strategies

1. Establish a Safe and Caring School Committee

2. Participate in District sponsored in-service

3. Devise sessions for School Close-out days

4. Establish clear protocols

5. Explore the use of incentives

6. Consult with other schools

Strategies

1. Involve whole school in promoting code of conduct

2. Conduct student assemblies to reinforce code

3. Establish incentives for positive behaviours

4. Explore Peer mediation training.

Goal 3. Support Plan

Financial

Professional Development

Communication

Time Allocation

3.1.1

- acquire incentives to promote individual and group incentives

- invest in programs that promote safe and caring schools

3.1.1

- dedicated sessions during close-outs

- support for individual choices to improve skills

3.1.1

- summarize progress for teachers

- summarize progress for parents

- summarize progress for students

3.1.1

- arrange time tables to accommodate grade level meetings during preps

- address issues at regular staff meetings

- address issues at special services meetings