Sumner School Board Talk - Term 1, 2017
13 April, 2017
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Tenei te mihi atu kia koutou
As another busy and rewarding term draws to a close at Sumner School, we thought we would take this opportunity to update you on some recent developments around the school.
National Standards Results
One of the key areas about which the management reports back to the Board is that of student achievement. How student achievement can be maintained and improved is one of the key drivers in the decisions that the Board makes.
At the beginning of each year, target groups are selected by the staff to accelerate children’s learning so that they reach achievement levels from below the national standard to at the standard, from at the standard to well at or above the standard.
Childrens’ progress is constantly analyzed by the staff as is the effectiveness of interventions that have been put in place to improve student achievement. Interventions are adjusted if need be and any variance between the targets set and those reached is also investigated. These findings are reported back to the Board in the middle and at the end of each year.
Data from the end of 2016 the school-wide data has shown that 93% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for reading, 92% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for writing and 92% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for Mathematics. The Board is very pleased with these results and believes that they are due to the staff’s commitment to see each child reach his or her highest potential and the continuous improvement in the implementation and assessment of the interventions used.
Focus groups have been set for this year, the majority of which are related to raising standards in the areas of writing and mathematics. Each year, one of these targets is sent to the Ministry of Education as this is a requirement.
Building Works Canterbury Block
Progress on the Canterbury Block has been much slower than we had hoped and had been led to believe that the project would take. A common story where building is concerned, as many of you will be too aware after the quakes.
We are pleased to report however, that the solid form asbestos found undisturbed under the building has been successfully removed. The soil under the Canterbury Block has now been tested and given the all clear for the contractors to come in and start the refurbishment work. We anticipate that this work will take between 12-14 weeks and that students will be able to move back into what will be an exciting learning environment from the beginning of Term 3.
Christchurch Education Renewal Programme – Master Planning
The documentation has now gone out to a number of architectural practices for quotes for the design of the building works on the site as outlined on the Master Plan formulated last year. It is expected that these quotes will come back by 20 April, after which time, a company will be selected and will begin the process of designing the buildings and landscaping for our new campus. It is exciting to finally be at the next stage of this process. We will keep the community informed as this progresses and will consult where possible on aspects of the project.
Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to pass on a huge thank you to the PTA for the amazing job they did organising the 80’s Prom Night. This event raised a staggering $26,000 for our school. These funds will go towards the construction of our exciting new Library/Wellbeing Centre.
Have a fantastic Easter. I look forward to seeing you back after the holidays.
Kind regards
Yvonne Hall
Board Chair
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Tenei te mihi atu kia koutou
As another busy and rewarding term draws to a close at Sumner School, we thought we would take this opportunity to update you on some recent developments around the school.
National Standards Results
One of the key areas about which the management reports back to the Board is that of student achievement. How student achievement can be maintained and improved is one of the key drivers in the decisions that the Board makes.
At the beginning of each year, target groups are selected by the staff to accelerate children’s learning so that they reach achievement levels from below the national standard to at the standard, from at the standard to well at or above the standard.
Childrens’ progress is constantly analyzed by the staff as is the effectiveness of interventions that have been put in place to improve student achievement. Interventions are adjusted if need be and any variance between the targets set and those reached is also investigated. These findings are reported back to the Board in the middle and at the end of each year.
Data from the end of 2016 the school-wide data has shown that 93% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for reading, 92% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for writing and 92% of our students are achieving at or above the National Standard for Mathematics. The Board is very pleased with these results and believes that they are due to the staff’s commitment to see each child reach his or her highest potential and the continuous improvement in the implementation and assessment of the interventions used.
Focus groups have been set for this year, the majority of which are related to raising standards in the areas of writing and mathematics. Each year, one of these targets is sent to the Ministry of Education as this is a requirement.
Building Works Canterbury Block
Progress on the Canterbury Block has been much slower than we had hoped and had been led to believe that the project would take. A common story where building is concerned, as many of you will be too aware after the quakes.
We are pleased to report however, that the solid form asbestos found undisturbed under the building has been successfully removed. The soil under the Canterbury Block has now been tested and given the all clear for the contractors to come in and start the refurbishment work. We anticipate that this work will take between 12-14 weeks and that students will be able to move back into what will be an exciting learning environment from the beginning of Term 3.
Christchurch Education Renewal Programme – Master Planning
The documentation has now gone out to a number of architectural practices for quotes for the design of the building works on the site as outlined on the Master Plan formulated last year. It is expected that these quotes will come back by 20 April, after which time, a company will be selected and will begin the process of designing the buildings and landscaping for our new campus. It is exciting to finally be at the next stage of this process. We will keep the community informed as this progresses and will consult where possible on aspects of the project.
Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to pass on a huge thank you to the PTA for the amazing job they did organising the 80’s Prom Night. This event raised a staggering $26,000 for our school. These funds will go towards the construction of our exciting new Library/Wellbeing Centre.
Have a fantastic Easter. I look forward to seeing you back after the holidays.
Kind regards
Yvonne Hall
Board Chair
