School Report
Gindie State School retains traditional small school values. We enjoy all the benefits that are associated with being a small school with a long and stable history. Today Gindie provides professional quality teaching in comfortable, air-conditioned and modern classrooms. Located adjacent to the Gregory Highway, twenty-three kilometers south of Emerald, the school's close proximity to Emerald makes it an attractive option for those seeking a small school alternative. Currently the school has two co-educational, multi-age classes: an early education class (year 1-3) and a year 4-7 class, with an enrolment of 26 students in 2005. A number of visiting specialists teachers service the school, including Physical Education, LOTE, music and Learning Support.
Curriculum Offerings
Gindie State School curriculum is designed to meet the needs of isolated rural communities serviced by a multi-aged school, with a teaching principal. Gindie State School's curriculum plan uses a 3 year cycle of curriculum organisers which cover all core learning outcomes from the key learning area syllabi of the Queensland Studies Authority.
The school uses a holistic approach to assessing the progress of students. In addition to the year 2 net and they year 3, 5 and 7 tests, the school uses a variety of standardised and school-based assessment tools. The teachers utilise the cluster network to moderate the standard of student work.
The school's literacy plan details standards and targets using: the Diagnostic Continue, PM Benchmarks, Waddington Reading and Spelling standardised test, the South Australian Spelling Test, Tests of Reading Comprehension (TORCH) and assessment tools from the Observations Survey (Clay). A focus of the literacy strategy is the development of an understanding of multi-illiteracies and how this impacts on literacy learning.
The school's (Information Communication Technology) ICT for Learning Agreement focuses on integration of ICT in curriculum and development of students' skills towards future benchmarks. ICT is utilisied to extend learning environments and networks to minimize the impact of geographic isolation. We promote empowered partnerships within and beyond the school community in order to develop active participation in multicultural-networks societies.
At Gindie State School the staff and community work together to achieve the best educational outcomes for the students. Currently Gindie State School offers seven years of education. In 2007 the school will offer an additional Preparatory year of education for children of the Gindie and surrounding community. High quality early education opportunities broaden people's opportunities in their social and economic lives. The community are looking forward to the introduction of Preparatory year of schooling for their children.
Highlights
Gindie State School staff, students and P & C participated in community events in the district, including entering a float in the Emerald Sunflower festival and providing displays in both the Emerald and Springsure Agricultural Shows. Students also entered art and craft items in the Emerald Show. In 2005 Gindie State School P & C hosted a community cricket day and market stalls. The day was well supported by the students, parents and wider community. The day provided an opportunity for community members to continue their close links with the school as a hub of the community.
Parents and the community
Gindie State School provides a safe and caring school environment. Emphasis is placed on the strong interrelationship between the school and local community. Children are encouraged to act responsibly, cooperate with others, respect each others rights and opinions and to take pride in their school and community. Older children are encouraged to become active leaders both in and out of the classroom and form the basis of the school's Student Council.
Community involvement and support is highly valued at Gindie State School. Newsletters and monthly Parents and Citizens meetings are used to inform the community about the school and it programs. The P&C Association is active and enjoys the full support of families enrolled at the school. Fundraising initiatives have provided many additional resources and upgrades of facilities. Parents and community members also support many classroom and co-curricula activities, including assistance with our individual student reading program and volunteer religious instructions who deliver a weekly non-denominational Religion in Life program.
Our staff profile
The school is staffed by:
- a teaching principal
- one classroom teacher
- a permanent part-time teacher aide
- a permanent part-time administration officer
- a permanent part-time cleaner
- one casual grounds care person
Visiting Specialist Teachers
- LOTE
- Music
- PE
- Learning Support
- Guidance Officer
- Speech Therapy
Staff professional development priorities in 2005
- ICT, using and developing animations in the classroom
- implementation of the Mathematics syllabus
- Preparatory Year in-service for teachers
- Emerald Education Conference
- Small Schools Network meetings
