PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – 11/02/2020

Current Enrolments

The current effective student enrolment is 428 as outlined in the table below. Around five

families unexpectedly left the area at the end of 2019. A new family of two learners will

commence towards the end of this week, bring the effective enrolment to 430.

Prep Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Total

57 67 66 61 50 62 65 428

2020 Staffing

We have experienced a very calm and positive start to the 2020 school year, with many

new faces (learners, parents, carers and staff) around the school. Our proposed class

structure from the end of 2019 remains in place, with some slight staff changes across the

school. We welcome Mrs Katrina Gilligan as our Acting Head of Inclusion for 2020 from

Waraburra State School, Mrs Silvie Moravek to our Neighbourhood Centre’s CoTeaching

Team and Mrs Janaha Good to the Teacher Aide Team.

2020 Class Teachers

PL Georgia Leyshon 4G George Grant

PM Heidi Martin-Sanders 4H Krystal Hardin

P/O Natasha O’Leary 5B Tanisha Bickey

1EB Jackie Egan and Roslyn Black 5W Alison Worthington

1M Emma McInnes 5/6J Sarah Jones

1/2K Anne Kerley 6D Dominic Draper

2D Jovelyn Dig-O 6F Vanessa Flint

2R Keegan Ridgley

2M Iain MacRae

3M Rhiannon McDougall

3O Lachlan O’Keefe

Other 2020 Staffing Positions

Head of Inclusion Katrina Gilligan CoTeachers Kathryn Shields

Middle Years Leader Dianne Stace Suyra Jose

Early Years Leader Lyn O’Farrell Silvie Moravek

STEAME Specialist Michelle Jorgensen P/1 Mayor Anne Kerley

District Relief Teacher Rebecca Egerton 2/3 Mayor Rhiannon McDougall

Physical Education David Johnson 4/5 Mayor Alison Worthington

Music David St Henry Year 6 Mayor Vanessa Flint

Japanese Joanne Aaron

Guidance Officer Shane Robinson

Grounds, Facilities and Infrastructure

Over the Summer Vacation, much work occurred as part of the school’s Growth Plan

Project. The Music Room (and former Preschool), adjacent house and shed were

demolished and removed. The Prep and ‘Hire’ Building, adjacent to the Year 2/3

Playground were relocated to the site of the old Music Room and behind the Handball

Court, with an additional double classroom space for Music added. New lawns were laid

and major technology infrastructure was installed to be ready for the commencement of

school.

The Ministerial Designation process is currently underway, prior to the tendering and

construction of the school’s new double storey general learning areas, adjacent to A Block.

The community consultation period ends on March 03rd 2020 and once tenders are called

and contracts awarded, construction work should commence early in Term Two. It is

envisaged that Stage Two (Administration Building, Tuckshop and Uniform Shop) will be

budgeted for in the 2020-2021 State Budget, with construction soon after as this Stage has

been factored into the current Ministerial Designation and Consultation process.

Some images from the plans are included below.

Parking and Traffic

Every school experiences issues relating to parking and traffic management. Prior to the

start of school this year, I contacted the Department of Education and our State Member

for Keppel regarding potential issues as the result of the owner of the block of land opposite

the front of the school erecting a fence to prevent vehicle parking. Invitations were also

extended to the North Rockhampton Police to monitor parking and traffic.

Every attempt was also made to pre warn the school community of this change and

suggestions to manage this change, including using :

‐ the school’s Kiss and Go Zone and staggering collection times until 3:30 p.m. daily

‐ the dedicated fifteen minute parking spaces outside Administration for quick pick ups

‐ the Northern Estate Bus service for door to door collections and drop offs

‐ the parks towards the end of Mason Avenue

‐ the School Crossing

The Department of Education, Main Roads and Rockhampton Regional Council have

reminded me that parking and traffic will always be an issue in and around every school.

Meetings have been scheduled with the Rockhampton Regional Council to highlight the

school’s concerns. It has also been suggested the establishment of a School Safe Travel

Committee (SafeST) to identify and address safety concerns, including the development of

a Road Safety Action Plan that outlines :

‐ what the school is planning to do to improve road safety

‐ how it expects road safety will improve

‐ how the school will monitor and evaluate the success of the plan

‐ when it will be done

‐ who is responsible for making it happen

Aspects of this process are already in place, particularly with all community stakeholders

aware of the concerns and issues.

Bell System

Since the Summer Vacation, the school’s Bell, Fire and Emergency Evacuation System has

experienced a range of issues that is impacted on its effective use. The school is currently in

the process of seeking repairs and investigating its future replacement, which maybe an

ideal joint 2020 Parkhurst Parents and Citizen’s Association and School Project.

New Resources

An additional set of thirty iPads has been purchased to enhance learning across the school,

to enable every double teaching space to have access to a class set of iPads. In 2020, there

are four 1:1 iPad learning spaces in operation, facilitated by teachers who have undertaken

specific training to become Apple Distinguished Teachers. Ms Rhiannon McDougall’s Year

3M, Mr Lachlan O’Keefe’s Year 3O, Mr Keegan Ridgley’s Year 2R and Mr David St Henry’s

Music Program will host these 1:1 iPad classes.

Display boards and whiteboards have also been purchased to replace the interactive

whiteboards that were mounted on classroom walls. Additional desks for classrooms were

purchased for the commencement of school to manage the growth in Years Four to Six

classes.

Parent and Carer Information Sessions

Next week, all Classroom Teachers will host and facilitate a Parent and Carer Information

Session to share a range of information, including daily classroom routines and expectations,

curriculum coverage, how to become involved, upcoming activities, events and

communication processes. The specific days and times have been shared in the school

Newsletter and via Social Media.

2020 Explicit Improvement Agenda

Reading is once again our explicit improvement agenda for every learner in every space

in 2020. The infographic below is a simple representation of the agenda.

2020 Investing for Success Agreement

The 2020 Investing for Success Agreement will see some slight changes in the selected

strategies and associated resourcing. In 2020, Mrs Janaha Good has joined the Parkhurst

State School Teacher Aide to provide additional support to learners and their teachers

within the classroom. This is a significant change to the model that previously operated and

our commitment to ensure every learner in Prep and Year One is read to and reads to an

adult every day will continue.

In 2020, Parkhurst State School will receive approximately $170, 893.00.

The 2020 Investing for Success strategies include :

‐ releasing the four Curriculum Leaders (Mayors)

‐ curriculum resourcing

‐ staff professional development and coaching

‐ teacher release time for planning

‐ resourcing the school’s PAWS Reading Incentives Program

2020 : Our Year to Teach and Learn like a PIRATE

Each year, the school adopts an overarching theme for learning. The work of author David

Burgess, ‘Learn Like a Pirate’ forms the basis of 2020 theme. Learn like a Pirate is an acronym

for P-I-R-A-T-E with each letter describing a key attribute.

P is demonstrating a passion for learning and a strong investment

I is being inquisitive, asking questions, showing interest in learning and being curious

R refers to our 5Rs,building rapport with others and sustaining a quality reputation

A is being an active learner, participant and contributor in the learning process

T is thinking creatively, critically and reflectively

E is being enthusiastic, showing enjoyment, excitement, interest and eagerness to learn

Term One Upcoming Events, Activities and Variations to School Routine

Tuesday February 11th 2020 P&C monthly Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Zone 21

Monday February 17th 2020 Parent and Carer Information Sessions

Friday February 28th 2020 2020 Induction of Seniors and Leaders at 8:45 a.m.

Clean Up Parkhurst State School

PAWS Pop Up Shop open

Friday March 06th 2020 Term One Disco at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 10th 2020 P&C monthly Meeting and AGM at 6:30 p.m. in Zone 21

Friday March 20th 2020 Be a Buddy Day

Monday March 23rd 2020 Face to Face Reporting commences

Wednesday April 01st 2020 Cross Country and Fun Run at 9:00 a.m.

Thursday April 02nd 2020 PAWS Pop Up Shop open

Friday April 03rd 2020 Term One Assembly of Excellence at 8:45 a.m.

Easter Hat Parade at 2:00 p.m.

Financial Statement

The most current Budget Overview Report and Financial Snapshot Report are attached for

minuting. The 2020 Budget is currently in development.

Lyle Walker

PRINCIPAL