SCHOOL CONTEXT STATEMENT Updated: 26/10/2010
School name: Sturt Street Community School
School number: 1881
1. General information
Part A
School Name: Sturt Street Community School
School No: 1881 Courier: East Metro
Principal: Pat Cardone
Postal Address: 221-239 Sturt Street, Adelaide, 5000
Location Address: As above
Phone: 8231 3100
Fax: 8231 3188
District: Eastern
Distance from GPO: 2km
Early Learning Centre on site: Licensed for 72 children.
ENROLMENTS
Early Learning Centre enrolments:
Under 18 months 18
18 months – 2 years 7
Over 2’s 37
3 ½ year old 15
4-5 years 36
Sub-Total 113
FTE School Enrolment:
2007 2008 2009 2010
Reception 29 25 19 56
Year 1 18 29 29 24
Year 2 18 21 26 26
Year 3 9 11 12 21
Year 4 1 12 12 8
Year 5 4 7 12
Year 6 3 7
Year 7 2
Total 75 102 108 156
Sub Total: 113 Early Learning Centre
40 Preschool
156 Primary
2010 Total: 309
Primary Enrolments:
Male FTE: 56
Female FTE: 100
School Card: 30
NESB Total: 86
Aboriginal FTE Enrolment: 8
Aboriginal Pathways Housing located directly across from the school provides both housing and support through a number of agencies. The Families are all single women with children under the age of twelve years. Children are able to enrol in our ChildCare, Preschool or School or alternatively attend Gilles Street Primary School.
Demographic data – Families commute from over 50 postcodes.
Part B
STAFF PROFILE
- Staffing numbers
School – 11.6 FTE
Tier 1 – 10.85
Tier 2 – 0.75
- Coordinator – Maths
- Teacher Librarian: .2
- English as a Second Language: .34
- Special Education: .16
- First Language Maintenance: .1
- Primary Counsellor: .25
Total staff across the site.: 43
Teachers: 0 male, 11 female
Ancillary: 3 male, 7 female
Early Learning Centre: 19
- OSHC
Licensed for 42 students with a permanent Director and casual Assistant Director.
- Enrolment trends
Built in 1883, the school closed in 1996. It reopened 2004 as a Birth to Year 3
site. The school has now extended to Year 7.
Enrolments are steadily increasing with an R-7 school capacity of 200 students.
- Public transport access
Bus Stop Y1 is located directly outside the school premises.
Buses numbered 210-218, 291, 296 & 297 can be boarded from stops along North Terrace, King William Street, Grote Street, Morphett Street, and Whitmore Square.
Details of bus routes from the outer suburbs to the school can either be obtained from the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre or the Front Office.
2. Students (and their welfare)
- General characteristics
309 children enrolled at the site from Birth to Year 7.
In Preschool and School there are 42% boys, 58 % girls,
5.6% Aboriginal students and 3 International students.
10 students have Negotiated Education Plans, and 15% School Card students.
- (Pastoral) care programs
Provided by class teachers in the first instance – all staff involved.
- Student management
Sturt Street Community School has developed a Behaviour Management
Policy and Code of Practice that is reviewed regularly. Our Behaviour
Development practices are based on the following beliefs.
The primary responsibility for behaviour belongs to the individual and that mutual respect, care and consideration for others can be expected from all members of the school community- which includes students, parents, caregivers and staff.
Students have the right to learn and staff have the right to teach in a safe, caring, supportive and productive environment.
To support the learning of positive behaviour we have developed a teaching scope and sequence which incorporates Friendly Schools and Families, Program Achieve and the Child Protection Curriculum.
- Student government
The SRC (R-7) is an integral part of our decision-making policy with all students contributing through class meetings.
- Special programmes
Early intervention, English as a Second Language, Coordination programs,
Senior Choir, Visual Arts, Drama group, Music, Instrumental music (private tuition).
3. Site Improvement Plan
· Pedagogy Priorities
Improve the quality of teaching to engage 21Century learners.
Improve student outcomes in literacy and Numeracy.
Improve student outcomes in science.
- Wellbeing Priorities
Improve learning outcomes for indigenous children.
Improve student’s feelings of efficacy in social and learning environments.
Contextual influences:
The Sturt Street School was first established in the late 1800’s and catered for the needs of families who lived and worked in the city. A particular focus of the school was its support for the families from diverse cultural backgrounds who lived or worked in the South West precinct of the Adelaide City. The multicultural nature of the programs offered at the school resulted in ethnic communities maintaining strong loyalties to the school and an interest in its future.
The school was closed in 1996 due to declining enrolments but a keen interest group of local residents, including past students, advocated for the reopening of the school. In 2003 the Government of South Australia, in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc, honoured a commitment to re-open the school. Community consultation informed the proposals for the redevelopment as a unique integrated birth to Year 3 site where community partnerships with the City of Adelaide, Greek Orthodox Community, South West residents and local service providers would be integral to the school.
In Term 1, 2004 Sturt Street Community School opened to meet the demand for child care, preschool and school. The school is a unique and innovative model that highlights the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and collaborative delivery of solutions. It is a school with a proud history and all the elements of a strong future. Due to community demand the school has been extended to Year 7.
4. Curriculum
- Subject offerings:
All 8 areas of curriculum supported with LOTE (Greek), Music and movement
and Visual Arts delivered by specialists as NIT programmes.
SACSA framework is used with particular emphasis on integrated practice across the birth to three, three to five, five to eight and eight to twelve age bands. Therefore the learning spaces have been set up where vertical groups learn together in flexible open spaces. Transition becomes a smooth and seamless path. Combined with a rigorous approach to the acquisition of fundamental skills such as literacy and numeracy the curriculum recognises the importance of play-based learning. Sturt Street maximises the use of indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
- Special Needs
0.16 Special Education Tier 2 support for students in the school sector.
DECS Preschool support for identified children.
Inclusive Directions funding for children in the Early Learning Centre.
School Services Officer hours support individual, small group and classroom programs.
Early intervention programs and strategies have included Reading Recovery (we trained a teacher in 2004), Speech and Language, English as Second Language teacher, bi-lingual support, an Aboriginal Education Officer, a gross-motor skills program and Occupational Therapy sessions. A
Students at Risk Committee (STAR) negotiates appropriate programmes to meet individual learning needs and wellbeing. Currently we have a Drama group and Magazine Club.
- Special curriculum features
The Arts is a particular focus at Sturt Street Community School. Throughout schooling students have access to specialist staff who teach music, movement and Visual Arts. An instrumental program offering keyboard, voice and guitar is available for interested students.
The Visual Arts program has a community focus. Artist, Christine Lawrence has assisted our children design and paint two beautiful murals. Students worked with artist, Raylene Klinger to produce a Green Living mural in Franklin Street.
Drawing on talent in the South West Community, Artists in Residence have introduced children to photography, ceramic art, the making and playing of mud drums. Local textile artist, Robyn Henwood teaches Art to several classes as a NIT – non instructional time subject. Junior and Senior Choirs and an Art Club provide further scope for children’s interests.
World renowned Patch Theatre Company bases its research and play development in conjunction with Sturt Street staff and children. Four research projects, teachers’ packages and performances have been presented during the Come Out Festival. Artistic Director Dave Brown joins us in staff meetings to discuss the performance concept. Staff and artists try out the ideas and songs to fine tune the performance. In 2005 we were involved in the “100 Languages Project” and the following year in “Special Delivery.” In 2007 the “Hickory Dickory Dock” performance complemented our learning focus on number and in 2008 we explored the history of the circus with the production ‘The Greatest Show on Earth”.
The School supports children and families from nearby Aboriginal housing. An Aboriginal Education Officer works with key staff to lead Aboriginal curriculum projects which help develop a strong cultural identity and foster cultural inclusion across the school.
The teaching of Greek Language and Culture is an integral part of the curriculum for our Preschool and School children. The Greek Language teacher who is also a visual artist offers an additional specialist art program incorporating Greek language. We are trialing the Greek Mother Tongue Maintenance program being run simultaneously with the LOTE program. A Greek teacher provided by the Greek Consulate also supports language learning.
The school is accredited to deliver an International Student program.
The Out of School Hours Care program, offering before school care, after school care and vacation care, is a vital component of our school. Most school age children attend care over the week.
A dynamic playgroup established by a local parent and the Chinese Welfare Services, welcomes New Arrivals families and children from the local community each Friday morning.
- Teaching methodology
All classes composite, in two teacher units to allow for flexible teaching arrangements. All classes have computers and an Interactive Whiteboard.
Laptops allow more flexible access and use of technology.
- Assessment procedures and reporting
Assessment, Recording, Reporting procedures are in line with State
requirements using the South Australian Curriculum, Standards and
Accountability Framework.
The school has procedures to monitor Student Literacy Achievement. Assessments using Running Records, Alphabet knowledge, Phonemic Awareness, Sight Word knowledge, Spelling, and Writing development using the ESL Scales are used to collect base line data, inform progress and assist programming for individuals.
SPERS is used for data collection and class profiles.
A STAR (Students at Risk Committee) analyses the data and make
recommendations for intervention programs.
5. Sporting Activities
The school is a Health Promoting School where wellbeing, nutrition and activity are integral to learning. After hours teams supported by volunteer parents and helpers include Kanga Cricket, Soccer, Basketball, T-Ball and Tennis clinics.
The school has successfully received Federal funding until 2010, for the Active After School Program which runs two separate activities each week. Other Annual events include a swimming program at the Unley Swimming Centre, a Fun Run and a Sports Day event.
6. Staff
Staff profile: 13 Permanent: 17 Contract and Casual
- Leadership structure:
The integrated site has a leadership team representing child care, preschool and schooling sectors. The Principal is the key leader and manager who has responsibility for the school as a whole. A Learning, Care and Achievement Coordinator leads curriculum change. The Early Years Director is also a key leader and manager who has specific responsibility for the education and care programs from birth to eight years. There is an Assistant Director for the 0-4 years team and a Director of the Out of School Hours Care program.
- Staff support systems:
We have an Induction Policy for new staff based on a buddy system. A Students an Risk Team supports staff with students with behaviour , learning difficulties or with disabilites and gifted students. Members of the leadership team meet regularly both formally and informally with staff. Established Learning teams across the site.
- Performance Management:
All staff involved in Performance Management programs designed to maximise support for staff learning, critical reflection and change.
- Staff utilisation policies:
SSO’s available for classroom, EDSAS/resource support and computing. Specialist ICT technician employed.
The Licensing ratio of ELC staff to children has been changed to support quality care. The ratio for under 24 months is 1:3. Over 2’s is 1:6 and 3 ½ – 5 years is 1:9.
- Access to special staff and services
The school works in partnership with health and family support services.
Child Youth and Women’s Health Services provides vision and health checks for preschool children; appointments for clients and new parent groups.
DECS Speech Pathologists run workshops for parents for children.
Occupational Therapy students from UniSA and Flinders Uni Speech Pathology students work on practicum experiences and community projects.
Inclusive Directions funds support for children with disabilities in the Early Learning Centre while DECs provides support for children with disabilities in preschool to year 7.
South West Community Centre provides a diverse range of activities for children, parents and the local community.
Ozchild has run a pilot project on nutrition and healthy lifestyles for families.
7. Facilities
The Heritage site has been carefully designed to cater for children from 0-8 years. With the extension to Year 7 the acquisition of another building has allowed the Resource Centre to be relocated and provide space for upper year classes within the main building. There is air conditioning and heating in all areas of the school. A new Multi purpose Hall is currently under construction.
The Early Learning Centre, Preschool, School and Out of School Hours Care spaces are located adjacent to each other to ensure children can make a smooth transition to each learning area. Transitions are managed effectively through exchange of information with parents and staff. The inclusion of the
3 ½ year olds within the Preschool programme is quite significant.
Early Learning Centre
The Early Learning Centre provides Long day care for children from infancy to 5 years old. The ELC has 3 sections the Rosella Room for babies – under 18 months; the Lorikeet Room for children from 18 months to 3 years old and the Kindy room – for children between 3 ½ – 5 years . The Lorikeet and Rosella rooms are part of the main building and share a nappy change/bathroom area and kitchen. These rooms share a securely fenced outdoor area with a sandpit, garden, rubber softfall area for climbing and active play and some grassed areas. The outdoor area features shade sails over the sand pit and climbing areas. There is off street parking (15 minutes) for Early Learning Centre families. Entry to the centre is via access coded door which is also fitted with a buzzer.
Preschool
The Kindy Room is located in a separate building which backs onto Maxwell Street. The Kindy room provides an integrated childcare and funded pre-school program. The funded pre-school enrolments are a combination of local families who just use the service for 4 sessions of pre-school and families needing long day care service whose children attend for a combination of sessional pre-school and childcare. The outdoor learning space is securely fenced with a sandpit, lawned area, garden, rubber soft fall area with fixed playground equipment and paved areas. There is a large sheltered verandah area. The Kindy room share the outdoor area with the school, during school break times the Pre-school children play inside, or use other indoor areas of the school or the ELC outdoor area.
School
Inside learning areas are located within the main building on the ground and first floor. There is easy access to toilets including Disabled facilities on both levels.
Ground Floor
The staffroom, front office, Principal’s office, Junior Primary classrooms, and the Early Learning Centre for 0 – 3½ are located on the ground floor.
First Floor
A Literacy room, First Aid room, Early Years Director’s Office, SSO and Finance Officers room, tutor spaces and classrooms are located on the first floor.
Internal stairs (including a fire escape) and a lift are available for access to the first floor.
O’Brien Street Building
The Resource Centre /Library is available for all families to access. Child Youth and Health Services have a consult room accessible through a secure coded entrance on O’Brien Street.
Out of School Hours Care
OSHC is in the O’Brien Street building located to the right of the main building. Access for children is via the O’Brien Street entrance which has a security code or directly from the playground. The facility includes the Resource Centre and a large activity space which has a new kitchen, toilets and offices on the mezzanine level.
Outside play
Securely fenced, a lawn area, hard play, rubber soft fall – with a shaded playground, basketball rings, shaded sandpit, performance deck, cubby house, garden beds and vegetable patch. The amount of open space is restrictive, therefore flexible use of facilities is necessary to optimise play space.
Access for students and staff with disabilities
Ramps provide access to entry into all school buildings. Lift operates in main two story building.
8. School Operations
- Decision making structures
Three separate Constitutions are incorporated under the Governing Council. At Sturt Street we are committed to a decision making approach that involves consultation, participation and collaboration within our entire school community. Committee structures include the Early Learning Centre Advisory Committee, the OSHC Advisory Committee, Finance, Education, Grounds and Facilites, Sports, Fundraising and Special Events.
PAC, SRC, Students at Risk Committee, Learning Care and Achievement Committee and Learning, Care and Wellbeing Committee.
Weekly staff and Learning Team meetings. Governing Council meets twice per term.
SRC and class meetings on alternate weeks.
- Regular publications
Weekly Scenarios, Day book, fortnightly newsletters, school information booklet for parents.
- Other communication
School website – www.sturtstcs.sa.edu.au
- School Financial position
The Finance Committee with treasurers from the three companies – 1, 4 and 7 oversees the finances and report to Governing Council.
(Early Learning Centre Advisory Committee, OSHC Advisory Committee).
- Special funding
The school has an Index of Disadvantage of 5.
9. Local Community
- General characteristics. Business, Residential, Community facilities.
CMI car dealership
South West Community Centre
Community Arts Network
- Parent and community involvement
The majority of parents work or study in the CBD.
South West Residents are very supportive of the school.
- Other local care and educational facilities
Public Schools – Gilles Street Primary School and Adelaide High School.
City Child Care Centre, Grey Ward Children’s Centre, City West Child Care Centre, Halifax Street Children’s Cente and Preschool.
10. Sustainable Schools and Children’s Services ESD initiatives
ENERGY
New technologies include the use of photovoltare cells for solar energy conversions.
The solar panels are located in the car park. Energy efficient globes are installed in all lights.
WATER
Automated gardening irrigations, subsurface irrigation and drippers are available. Federal funding allowed for the installation of rain water tanks for the vegetable garden. Spring loaded taps and dual flush toilets assist further water savings.
WASTE
A large recycled bin allows all boxes, bottles and paper to be recycled. Recycling scheme boxes are in all classrooms, the staffroom and kitchen. Used paper for emails, fax reports etc recycled.
LANDCARE
The original landscaping involved planting of indigenous species (water drought resistant). Gardens are regularly mulched.
