TWO SCHOOLS/ONE SCHOOL
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Last night the Governing Council Chair (Leanne Larven) and Vice-Chair (Jo Comley) along with Greg Petherick(Our Regional Director- representing DECS and scrutineer) counted the votes for this important decision.
The One School Model was easily the majority vote.
The result is as follows:
· 196 votes were lodge of which 4 votes were informal.
JUNIOR PRIMARY
· In the Junior Primary 80 parents voted with the result being:
One school Model
YES – 68 votes NO - 12 votes
PRIMARY
· In the Primary 112 parents voted with the result being:
One school Model
YES - 103 votes NO - 9 votes
Therefore the One School Model was successful.
Thank you for taking such an interest in the future of our school.
We will now slowly change to North Haven R-7 School. I will keep you informed of all changes that need to be made.
Kind Regards,
GAEL LITTLE LEANNE LARVEN
(Principal) Chair/Governing Council
Information Sheet 4 of 4
|
IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL |
|
The Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) has advised North Haven Schools that we need to work through a process to determine whether to remain as two separate schools: an R-2 Junior Primary and a Yrs 3-7 Primary or to become one R-7 schools.
You are invited to attend the second
Parent Information Forum
to be held on
TUESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2010
Note: previously advertised in school newsletter as Wednesday 9th June 2010
in the
NORTH HAVEN SCHOOLS STAFFROOM
from
7.00 pm. – 8.30 p.m.
Governing Council urges all parents / guardians and caregivers to show their support and interest in North Haven Schools by participating in robust discussion, asking questions and making an informed decision for the future.
Voting on this decision will begin in Week 4 this term.
If you have any questions before the forum, please visit our website www.nhavenr7.sa.edu.au or send them via email to gael.little@nhavenr7.sa.edu.au or drop them in at the front office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Ø Why do we have to do this?
Even though we are two schools and are supposed to have two Principals, our school has had a special agreement to work with one Principal while still getting two budget allocations. This agreement has to be reviewed before the end of our Principal’s (Gael Little) tenure.
Ø What will happen if we decide to be two schools?
We will have a Junior Primary Principal and a Primary Principal and receive two budget allocations one for each school.
|
Information Sheet 4 of 4
Page 2 of 5
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IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL continued. |
|
Ø Why can’t we stay as we are?
This would be inequitable in terms of how all schools now get funded.
Ø What are the differences in being one school or two?
There is a staffing difference and a school leadership difference. We would receive overall a lower budget allocation for one school with one Principal as there would be one Principal, one Deputy Principal and less School Services Officer hours. In the two schools model, leadership would have two Principals and one Deputy Principal (only in Yrs 3-7 school) with no change to the School Services Officer hours.
Ø Why would we even consider the one school model if there is less in the overall budget?
A one school model could make it easier to gain a whole school or a one school approach to student learning.
Ø Couldn’t that work with the two school model?
It could, but not necessarily. It would require close collaboration and agreement.
Leanne Larven Jo Comley
CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL VICE CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL
Gael Little
PRINCIPAL
29th July 2010
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Page 3 of 5
NORTH HAVEN SCHOOLS RESTRUCTURING
One school or two?
One school or two - comparisons
As you will be aware by now the Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) has advised that we need to work through a process to determine whether we formally become one R-7 School or two separate schools – an R-2 (Junior Primary) and a Years 3 – 7 (Primary) in 2011.
BACKGROUND
For years we have been working as one R-7 school whilst being funded by DECS as 2 schools. This was a special arrangement with DECS and the school community. It meant more funding, as the arrangement provided funding as two schools during the tenure of the Principal. When the current Principal (Gael Little) completes her tenure at the end of 2010 the arrangement with DECS has to change, i.e. that is a decision needs to be made by the community if the school is to work as one R-7 site or two separate schools – an R-2 (Junior Primary) and a Years 3 – 7 (Primary).
CURRENT SITUATION
During 2010 we will be working through the Governing Council Restructuring Committee, staff meetings, open parent meetings and student leadership to determine the best option to take for your children’s learning and care.
As well as this, the Restructuring Committee will keep parents up to date via articles and question and answer sections in the newsletters and via the school’s website.
DECS will be directly involved in the process through Greg Petherick the Western Adelaide Assistant Regional Director. The DECS Site Human Resources and Site Financial Services groups will also be involved providing advice about funding and leadership structures.
PROCESS
It is anticipated that parents will be asked to vote during Term 3. Ballot slips will be sent home. It will be a simple question that needs a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. A ‘yes’ vote means families would prefer one R-7 school; a ‘no’ vote means families would prefer two separate schools – a junior Primary (Years R-2) and a Primary (Years 3-7) with two different principals.
Page 4 of 5
A comparison of the two possibilities is provided below:
|
ONE SCHOOL R – 7 |
TWO SCHOOLS – R-2 & Yrs 3-7 |
|
Option One would mean the school formally becomes one R-7 school with one Principal |
Option Two would mean becoming two schools – An R-2 School and a 3-7 School with two Principals.
|
|
LEADERSHIP Note Principals are classified at PC0 levels:
PC01 – lowest level
PC08 – highest level
Current Principal at Nth Haven is a level PC05
0.2 = 1 day per week |
LEADERSHIP Note Principals are classified at PC0 levels:
PC01 – lowest level
PC08 – highest level
Current Principal at Nth Haven level is a PC05
0.2 = 1 day per week |
|
1 Principal R-7 (PC04) 1.0 Admin (5 days/wk)
1 Deputy R-7 (PC01) 2.5 days/wk teaching
2.5 days/wk Admin
1 Counsellor (0.6) (3 days/wk)
|
R-2
1 Principal PC02
- 2.5 days teaching
- 2.5 days Admin
No Deputy Principal
Counsellor(0.2)1day/wk
|
3-7
1 Principal PCO3
- 1.0 Admin (5 days/wk)
1 Deputy (PC01)
- 4 days/wk teaching
- 1 day/wk Admin
1 Counsellor (0.4)
(2 days/wk)
|
|
Principal position will be advertised using
open selection process. Trained parent representative on panel. Chairperson of panel is District Director or Assistant District Director.
These leadership positions are based on current and predicted student numbers. They may vary according to student numbers.
|
R-2 / 3-7 Principal appointments will be negotiated with DECS as to the process used.
These leadership positions are based on current and predicted student numbers. They may vary according to student numbers.
|
|
CURRICULUM AND TRANSITION |
CURRICULUM AND TRANSITION |
|
R-7 curriculum focus.
English as a Second Language (ESL), special education and other specialist programs would be from R-7.
|
R-2 curriculum focus and 3-7 curriculum focus.
English as Second Language (ESL), special education and other specialist programs would be from R-2 and then Years 3-7.
|
|
GOVERNANCE |
GOVERNANCE |
|
R-7 Governing Council |
Negotiation possible for one or two Governing Councils.
|
|
COMMUNICATION |
COMMUNICATION |
|
Families communicate with one leadership team. |
Families with children in two schools need to communicate with two leadership teams.
|
Page 5 of 5
|
ONE SCHOOL R – 7 cont. |
TWO SCHOOLS – R-2 & Yrs 3-7 cont. |
|
SHARED SERVICES |
SHARED SERVICES |
|
One system of financial and asset services.
One school budget and material and services charges.
Materials and services payment arrangements negotiated with one leadership team.
Central organisation for use of library, hall, performing arts room, computer room, payment of fees, excursions and so on. |
Two systems of financial and asset services.
Two school budget and material and services charges.
Materials and services payment arrangements negotiated between two different leadership teams if a family has children in two schools.
Negotiated use of hall, library, etc., between two leadership teams.
|
|
BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION |
BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION |
|
Hall and Resource Centre refurbishment.
|
Hall and Resource Centre refurbishment. |
|
STAFFING |
STAFFING |
|
Staff numbers determined by R-7 student numbers.
School would lose hours (½ day) of teacher librarian time.
School would lose hours of SSO time per week. This is connected to permanent SSO hrs.
Class sizes as per DECS agreement.
|
Staff numbers determined by R-2 and 3-7 student numbers.
No library time lost (depending on student numbers)
No SSO time lost (depending on student numbers)
Class sizes as per DECS agreement.
|
|
VALUES |
VALUES |
|
One set of school values. |
Possibly two sets of school values.
|
Newsletter Wk 10 Term 2
ONE SCHOOL / TWO SCHOOLS
Please note that there will be a second and last parent forum on 3rd AUGUST and that voting will begin on 9th AUGUST. If you have any queries at all about the two models, please ring or email the school. A Governing Council member or myself will answer your query promptly.
Information Sheet 3 of 3
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IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL |
|
After many long and debated meetings looking closely at both one school / two school models Governing Council feel that it is in the best interest of the school and its students to recommend the one school model. A major concern is the declining student numbers and how this affects our leadership team being available under the two school model.
North Haven Governing Council therefore recommends OPTION 1 : ONE SCHOOL R-7 with one Principal for the following reasons:
§ Continuity of education in one school from Reception to Year 7 including consistency of the curriculum and special programs.
§ It is felt that the decision making process will be easier and smoother with one leadership team.
§ One school with one management team will operate as one and, therefore, provide more effective management and have an overall view of issues throughout the school.
§ Under the two schools model it was felt that having two Principals different levels of classification may lead to issues of inequality between the two principals and may lead to lack of cohesion between the two leadership positions.
§ Transition from Year 2 to 3 is seamless under the one school model.
§ Facilities can be better managed and co-ordinated within one school.
§ Parents and students only required to deal with a single leadership team.
§ One single set of policies and procedures for staff, parents and students to work with.
§ A single budget from Reception to Year 7 provides more flexibility to address the needs of the school and target where resources are best placed.
CONCLUSION : The leadership structure with the two school model is a very real concern to Governing council. The service and access to the Principal will be greatly reduced especially in the R-2 area and its structure unworkable given the demands on leadership teams.
Reminder:
Parent Information Forum
MONDAY 7TH JUNE 2010
Note: previously advertised in school newsletter as Wednesday 9th June 2010
NORTH HAVEN SCHOOLS HALL
7.30 pm. – 9.00 p.m.
Leanne Larven
CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL
Jo Comley
VICE CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL 27th May 2010 |
Information Sheet 2 of 2
|
IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL |
|
The Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) has advised North Haven Schools that we need to work through a process to determine whether to remain as two separate schools: an R-2 Junior Primary and a Yrs 3-7 Primary or to become one R-7 schools.
You are invited to attend a
Parent Information Forum
to be held on
MONDAY 7TH JUNE 2010
Note: previously advertised in school newsletter as Wednesday 9th June 2010
in the
NORTH HAVEN SCHOOLS HALL
from
7.30 pm. – 9.00 p.m.
A decision must be made about this important matter that will affect your children’s learning experience at North Haven Schools.
Governing Council urges all parents / guardians and caregivers to show their support and interest in North Haven Schools by participating in robust discussion, asking questions and making an informed decision for the future.
If you have any questions before the forum, please visit our website www.nhavenr7.sa.edu.au or send them via email to gael.little@nhavenr7.sa.edu.au or drop them in at the front office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Ø Why do we have to do this?
Even though we are two schools and are supposed to have two Principals, our school has had a special agreement to work with one Principal while still getting two budget allocations. This agreement has to be reviewed before the end of our Principal’s (Gael Little) tenure.
Ø What will happen if we decide to be two schools?
We will have a Junior Primary Principal and a Primary Principal and receive two budget allocations one for each school.
|
Information Sheet 2 of 2
Page 2 of 5
|
IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL continued. |
|
Ø Why can’t we stay as we are?
This would be inequitable in terms of how all schools now get funded.
Ø What are the differences in being one school or two?
There is a staffing difference and a school leadership difference. We would receive overall a lower budget allocation for one school with one Principal as there would be one Principal, one Deputy Principal and less School Services Officer hours. In the two schools model, leadership would have two Principals and one Deputy Principal (only in Yrs 3-7 school) with no change to the School Services Officer hours.
Ø Why would we even consider the one school model if there is less in the overall budget?
A one school model could make it easier to gain a whole school or a one school approach to student learning.
Ø Couldn’t that work with the two school model?
It could, but not necessarily. It would require close collaboration and agreement.
Jo Comley
VICE CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL
Gael Little
PRINCIPAL
24th May 2010
|
Page 3 of 5
NORTH HAVEN SCHOOLS RESTRUCTURING
One school or two?
One school or two - comparisons
As you will be aware by now the Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) has advised that we need to work through a process to determine whether we formally become one R-7 School or two separate schools – an R-2 (Junior Primary) and a Years 3 – 7 (Primary) in 2011.
BACKGROUND
For years we have been working as one R-7 school whilst being funded by DECS as 2 schools. This was a special arrangement with DECS and the school community. It meant more funding, as the arrangement provided funding as two schools during the tenure of the Principal. When the current Principal (Gael Little) completes her tenure at the end of 2010 the arrangement with DECS has to change, i.e. that is a decision needs to be made by the community if the school is to work as one R-7 site or two separate schools – an R-2 (Junior Primary) and a Years 3 – 7 (Primary).
CURRENT SITUATION
During 2010 we will be working through the Governing Council Restructuring Committee, staff meetings, open parent meetings and student leadership to determine the best option to take for your children’s learning and care.
As well as this, the Restructuring Committee will keep parents up to date via articles and question and answer sections in the newsletters and via the school’s website.
DECS will be directly involved in the process through Greg Petherick the Western Adelaide Assistant Regional Director. The DECS Site Human Resources and Site Financial Services groups will also be involved providing advice about funding and leadership structures.
PROCESS
It is anticipated that parents will be asked to vote during Term 3. Ballot slips will be sent home. It will be a simple question that needs a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. A ‘yes’ vote means families would prefer one R-7 school; a ‘no’ vote means families would prefer two separate schools – a junior Primary (Years R-2) and a Primary (Years 3-7) with two different principals.
Page 4 of 5
A comparison of the two possibilities is provided below:
|
ONE SCHOOL R – 7 |
TWO SCHOOLS – R-2 & Yrs 3-7 |
|
Option One would mean the school formally becomes one R-7 school with one Principal |
Option Two would mean becoming two schools – An R-2 School and a 3-7 School with two Principals.
|
|
LEADERSHIP Note Principals are classified at PC0 levels:
PC01 - lowest level
PC08 - highest level
Current Principal at Nth Haven is a level PC05
0.2 = 1 day per week |
LEADERSHIP Note Principals are classified at PC0 levels:
PC01 - lowest level
PC08 - highest level
Current Principal at Nth Haven level is a PC05
0.2 = 1 day per week |
|
1 Principal R-7 (PC04) 1.0 Admin (5 days/wk)
1 Deputy R-7 (PC01) 2.5 days/wk teaching
2.5 days/wk Admin
1 Counsellor (0.6) (3 days/wk)
|
R-2
1 Principal PC02
- 2.5 days teaching
- 2.5 days Admin
No Deputy Principal
Counsellor(0.2)1day/wk
|
3-7
1 Principal PCO3
- 1.0 Admin (5 days/wk)
1 Deputy (PC01)
- 4 days/wk teaching
- 1 day/wk Admin
1 Counsellor (0.4)
(2 days/wk)
|
|
Principal position will be advertised using
open selection process. Trained parent representative on panel. Chairperson of panel is District Director or Assistant District Director.
These leadership positions are based on current and predicted student numbers. They may vary according to student numbers.
|
R-2 / 3-7 Principal appointments will be negotiated with DECS as to the process used.
These leadership positions are based on current and predicted student numbers. They may vary according to student numbers.
|
|
CURRICULUM AND TRANSITION |
CURRICULUM AND TRANSITION |
|
R-7 curriculum focus.
English as a Second Language (ESL), special education and other specialist programs would be from R-7.
|
R-2 curriculum focus and 3-7 curriculum focus.
English as Second Language (ESL), special education and other specialist programs would be from R-2 and then Years 3-7.
|
|
GOVERNANCE |
GOVERNANCE |
|
R-7 Governing Council |
Negotiation possible for one or two Governing Councils.
|
|
COMMUNICATION |
COMMUNICATION |
|
Families communicate with one leadership team. |
Families with children in two schools need to communicate with two leadership teams.
|
Page 5 of 5
|
ONE SCHOOL R – 7 cont. |
TWO SCHOOLS – R-2 & Yrs 3-7 cont. |
|
SHARED SERVICES |
SHARED SERVICES |
|
One system of financial and asset services.
One school budget and material and services charges.
Materials and services payment arrangements negotiated with one leadership team.
Central organisation for use of library, hall, performing arts room, computer room, payment of fees, excursions and so on. |
Two systems of financial and asset services.
Two school budget and material and services charges.
Materials and services payment arrangements negotiated between two different leadership teams if a family has children in two schools.
Negotiated use of hall, library, etc., between two leadership teams.
|
|
BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION |
BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION |
|
Hall and Resource Centre refurbishment.
|
Hall and Resource Centre refurbishment. |
|
STAFFING |
STAFFING |
|
Staff numbers determined by R-7 student numbers.
School would lose hours (½ day) of teacher librarian time.
School would lose hours of SSO time per week. This is connected to permanent SSO hrs.
Class sizes as per DECS agreement.
|
Staff numbers determined by R-2 and 3-7 student numbers.
No library time lost (depending on student numbers)
No SSO time lost (depending on student numbers)
Class sizes as per DECS agreement.
|
|
VALUES |
VALUES |
|
One set of school values. |
Possibly two sets of school values.
|
Information Sheet 1 of 1
|
IMPORTANT GOVERNING COUNCIL NEWS |
|
ONE SCHOOL / TWO SCHOOLS
You may not realise it but North Haven is in fact two schools. That is, we are funded as North Haven Junior Primary (R-2) and North Haven Primary (3-7) schools. Most parents would not notice this, as a number of years ago, the school community decided to have one leadership structure. That meant one principal for both schools with the support of one deputy principal. So in practice the school acts as one school R-7.
The Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) has a program called Education Works which looks at how schools are structured and funded and how to provide the best education and care program for students. At a recent Governing Council meeting Greg Petherick, Assistant Director Western Adelaide, informed us that the school community needs to decide whether to operate as two schools or formally become one school.
This is quite a complex situation with advantages and disadvantages for being one school or two in terms of leadership structure and funding allocation. Quite a bit of investigation still needs to be done to consider the implications of becoming one school and the implications of staying as two separate schools.
The Department has undertaken to provide more information to Governing Council. This is likely to happen over the next few weeks with negotiations and consultations continuing through 2010. Governing Council will provide information to parents and collect your thoughts on the matter.
We are seeking to reach a decision in term 3 this year. Whatever decision is made it would likely take effect in 2011. It is important to note that this decision can only be made after a poll (a formal voting process) of the school parent community.
The Governing Council will continue to share information, communicate progress and consult with the school community (via meetings, newsletter and web based forums), so that an informed decision can be made. The Governing Council is determined to get the best outcome for the school and the school community and will continue to make this point as discussions continue.
Leanne Larven
CHAIRPERSON, GOVERNING COUNCIL
Gael Little
PRINCIPAL
10th March 2010
|