Executive Directors Report

Lois Peeler – Executive Director

The executive team have worked effectively as a team with each individual doing a great job in their respective roles. As a team we have adopted a culture of ‘continuous improvement’, raising the standards of practice in a culture of high expectations across the organisation. Emphasis is placed on strong corporate governance, responsible management, a rigorous education program, student wellbeing, campus care and development. This Report sets out progress against the ten strategic priorities identified in the College’s existing Strategic Plan.

Corporate Governance

The past twelve months has seen a vast improvement in the organisation’s financial management reporting to all stakeholders. The College’s strategic plan identifies continuous improvement in corporate governance and recommends an annual appraisal of the Board. A review of policies and updates/ renewals commenced and there is a clear strategy for a staged growth of the College.

Education Program

Emphasis is being placed on building a strong teaching team to deliver a quality program to our students. Teaching staff are carefully selected and the College provides professional development each term. Professional development is provided to support staff in their roles as teachers and carers and the school year commenced with professional development for all staff. The Worawa Academic Reference Group chaired by Pam Russell provides oversight to the curriculum. All students have undergone diagnostic assessment to determine their level of achievement. The College uses the Brigance system which includes assessment of hearing, health and well being needs. This alerts staff to the need for specialist support. Most if not all of our students have experienced trauma and may be considered ‘high need’; the teaching and learning program takes into account the specialist requirement in working with traumatised children. Small groups and individual tuition enables the development of positive relationships and students have established strong relationships with teachers. Learning by Doing, short sessions and team teaching are some of the strategies employed.

Worawa is a member school of Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and through the ISV National Partnerships Program, ISV provides ongoing staff support, opportunities for professional development and some resources to support the College program. Care has been taken to strengthen the quality of the boarding house staff and operations to ensure an integrated approach to learning so that students receive guidance and support to enable them to learn. Structured extra curricular activities are designed to engage the girls in ‘learning for life’. This year we have groups of students from communities of Yuendumu and Epanarra with others from Kintore, Papunya, Yuelumu, Wagga Wagga and Victorian regional and urban centres.

The College’s IT system continues to be a major issue and hampers efforts to deliver a quality education program, and is a focus for next year. The College has placed 7 emphasis on the recruitment and retention of a suitably qualified and committed staff team and there has been a deliberate move from part-time to full-time teaching staff.

Student Health and Wellbeing

The College has entered into an MOU with Valley Primary Health Centre for an onsite Clinic conducted by female doctors who attend on a weekly basis. All students undergo a health assessment. As a number of students have been identified with impaired hearing the College has installed sound technology systems in the classrooms.

The College has entered into an MOU with Yarra Ranges GP Association for mental health assessments and counselling services for students. An arts therapy program has commenced for girls who need extra support, and the College also has access to other specialist professional clinical services.

The College has entered into a partnership with Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for placement of students in the School for Indigenous Health. With funding support from Perpetual Trustees the College has implemented a Sport and Fitness Program which has every student on a fitness regime with Deakin University undertaking a formal evaluation of the project. Health and wellbeing extends to diet and nutrition in the dining room and boarding house. The chef is advised to prepare nutritious meals, junk food is banned and students receive education on health. Sport is an important part of the program and students are involved in basketball, softball, football and soccer.

Through the Victorian Close the Gap Health Strategy, the College has secured part funding towards additional school nurse hours. Specialist counsellors also work with individual students who need extra support, with emphasis placed on programs and innovation to address trauma and healing and support student retention.

Campus Care and Development

A plan is in place to improve the appearance of the College campus through grounds beautification and enhancement to existing buildings.

Work is half way complete in the refurbishment and extension of the boarding houses. This will conclude around May 2011 and double the boarding capacity of the College. An application has been lodged with BGA for additional class room and facilities to the science block. The Indigenous Land Corporation are also considering an application from the College to replace the ageing art, culture and music room. There is a focus on enhancing the buildings and grounds with teams of Melbourne University graduates working with the College. One is the development of a centrepiece, named the ‘Worawa Heart’ which will provide a recreation space for the girls in between the boarding houses. Another team is working on grounds beautification and has developed a garden landscape project. A Lutheran Community men’s group have committed to involvement in a Working Bee to spruce up the gardens.

Aboriginal Culture and Community Engagement

Efforts are being made to strengthen the Aboriginal presence and content across the program. Emphasis is being placed on threading culture through the curriculum and involvement of Aboriginal artists and role models through a series of activities. Council of Elders meetings are scheduled for each term.

The School Community Forum brought together the Worawa community and parents/families of a number of students. The purpose of the forum was to strengthen links with communities and to learn from parents/families the aspirations they have for their children. The Forum was a huge success. A Debutante Ball is being planned for 2011 which will bring the families of girls to the event.

Alliances

The College has partnerships with a number of organisations including: Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) Regional Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC) Valley Primary Health Care, Yarra Ranges GP Association, Eastern Health, EACH, Monash University, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville High School, Upper Yarra Secondary College. Worawa is part of the Yarra Valley trade training consortium, which will provide industry training in a variety of trades.

The College has a strong program with a number of schools and in particular Scotch College and Trinity Grammar. The program with Scotch involves a group of Worawa students and Scotch students working together on joint projects. Trinity Grammar provides a music teacher on a fortnightly basis. Melbourne Grammar once again fielded a team to contest the Doug Nicholls trophy at our Reconciliation Sports Carnival playing a composite team of Indigenous boys under the Worawa banner.

Emphasis is being placed on building relationships with the communities that our students are from. Strategies include visits to and from communities, community art exhibitions with visiting artists, involvement of parents/families in school special events and communication through IT such as Skype.

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