PROUD PUPILS
FAR Northern schools have shown an overall improvement in literacy and numeracy standards and one southern Cairns education institution was singled out for recognition.
Fifty per cent of White Rock State School students were in the bottom quarter for literacy and numeracy in 2016, but that percentage decreased to 46 last year.
Improvement was also recorded among the top quarter. Four per cent of White Rock students achieved excellent results in 2017, compared to three per cent in 2016.
The data was released on the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s My Schools website.
Acting principal Mark Pullar said NAPLAN was just one way the school assessed students who were taught using explicit instruction, a skillbased learning strategy where students are active participants in the learning process and are constantly monitored for understanding.
“The leadership team has been working with staff for about six years upskilling teachers. It’s a data-driven, research-validated approach and results have increased,” Mr Pullar said.
“This approach is working for all the kids.
“We don’t differentiate with kids. We have a strong belief every single kid can learn and can do it.
“It’s nice when we get results. If, you look at our data trend, there has been a consistent improvement so we’re going to keep using the same approach. At the end of the day, the increased academic outcomes are changing these kids’ lives.”
The school employs 32 teachers for 515 students.
Half of White Rock students come from the lowest socio-economic bracket and 43 per cent of its students identify as indigenous. Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said while websites like My School provided parents with a range of high-level school information, they could not replicate the “feel” parents get for the culture and character of a school that came from meeting staff and students.