NSW Department of Education & Training

7307

2009 Annual School ReportOrange Public School

NSW Public Schools – Leading the way

Our school at a glance

Orange Public School was the first school inOrange formerly called the ‘Rural School’ and isperceived as having long traditions in Orange. It isa large school of approximately 650 students thatis situated on two campuses five hundred metresapart. Both campuses are in the central businessdistrict and the community is extremely supportiveof the school and is appreciative of the many andvaried opportunities provided for the children.

Messages

Principal's message

I want to acknowledge that the school is built ontraditional Wiradjuri land and wish to pay myrespects to Elders both past and present

2009 has once again been an exciting year for Orange Public School Students. The highlights for me have been our new Positive Behaviour Program, our very successful Tournament of theMinds Teams, our outstanding bands, choirs anddance troupes performing at the Music and DramaConcert held in Term 4 and our boys soccer teambecoming Western Region Champions.I was also very proud of our students following thecatastrophic bushfires in Victoria earlier in theyear. Our SRC students decided to help thechildren who had lost everything in the fire,including their schools. Our students donated 231new filled pencil cases along with $1200 cash andour teachers donated $700 worth of teachingresources.One of our boys was selected to play hockey inthe NSW PSSA Hockey Team.Our P&C has once again worked tirelessly for theschool raising more than $30 000. The Fete heldin September was outstanding. I congratulateeveryone involved.I hope you enjoy reading about the activities our students have participated in 2009.I certify that the information in this report is theresult of a rigorous school self-evaluation processand is a balanced and genuine account of theschool's achievements and areas for development.

John Webb Principal

P&C message

After four years as President of the P&C I canlook back and say this year has once again beena very busy year for the P&C. The P&C hasachieved many great things only because of theefforts of the parents, carers and teachers of theOPS Community, all of whom are very busy.The help given by these people is appreciated bythe P&C and the school. People of the OPScommunity continue to step up and help in theclothing pool, music support group, canteen,netball, working bees and all our fund raisingactivities. All this effort helps to build the OPSlegend in Orange and the district. So thankseveryone who helped in any way during 2009.During the year the P&C Fund Raising committeeled by the remarkable Jane Gordon held severalsuccessful fund raising activities to raise over $30,000 for the year. $21,000 was raised on oneday at The Monster Fete, which was again a greatfun day for the whole family. All this money hasbeen put back into the school through purchasingmore books for the Literacy Home Reader Program and the Premier’s Reading Program,sports equipment, financial assistance to theteachers to purchase incidentals for their classrooms, more Smartboards and financiallycontributing to orientations and presentations for the students. So good on you and thanks if youorganised, helped or participated in any of our fundraising activities throughout the year.Once again a huge thank you goes to everymember of the staff for your continuingcommitment to every student’s learning andwellbeing at the school. I am extremely gratefulthat OPS has such dedicated teachers andauxiliary staff striving to improve the school.Well done to all the year 6 students for their efforts during their time at OPS and best of luck inhigh school as well as in any future endeavoursyou may undertake.

Neil Bollinger P&C President

Student representative's message

OPS is a great school and has given meinspiration to give lots of things a go. The teachersare great and they have helped me whenever Ihave needed, with school work and all the extracurricular activities I wanted to be involved in.Many of my times at OPS I will remember forever,like the Point Woolly Year 6 excursion. You dosailing, canoeing, rock climbing, a high ropescourse and a giant swing. It tests your braveryand has broken many fears. The best thing aboutthe excursion was the time with my friends.The music programs at OPS are amazing. Irecommend getting involved with it in any waypossible, playing an instrument in the band or singing in the choir. Trying out for OPS Idol is alsogreat fun.In the OPS bands I played the drums. The drumsare a fun, energetic instrument. You can play very

loudly to make Mrs Hughes and Mrs Mickle’seardrums pop, or you can play the soft triangle sono one gets damaged ears.At OPS I made many friends. Having friends is amust and they were very easy to find at OPS. Myfriends made everything about school great fun.I will always remember OPS and the fantastictimes I had during my first seven years of myschooling.I am proud to call myself an OPS student andalways will be.

Edward Hogg Captain 2009

School context

Student information

It is a requirement that the reporting of informationfor all students must be consistent with privacyand personal information policies.

Student enrolment profileStudent attendance profileManagement of non-attendance

The school has very few non attendees and theseare well monitored and gradually improve withHome School Liaison Intervention.

Class sizes

In March 2003 the Government announced itscommitment to publish primary class sizes inannual school reports in order to provide parentswith as much local information as possible.The following table shows our class sizes asreported at the 2009 class size audit conductedon Wednesday 18 March 2009.

Roll Class Year Totalper Year TotalinClass

1ASTRONAUT 1 23 231 JUPITER 1 23 231 LIFTOFF 1 23 231 TITAN 1 23 231/2 COMET 1 12 251/2 COMET 2 13 252 HUBBLE 2 25 252 LASERBEAM 2 24 242 ORION 2 25 253B 3 30 303K 3 29 293N 3 29 294D 4 27 274F 4 26 264W 4 29 295/6P 5 8 295/6P 6 21 295B 5 28 285M 5 28 285O 5 28 286H 6 28 286J 6 29 296L 6 28 28K COSMIC K 22 22FLARESTAR K 22 22K LIGHTYEAR K 22 22K STARLIGHT K 22 223/4/5/6H 3/4/5/6 17

Structure of classes

25 classes of parallel student ability wereestablished with a 1/2 composite and a 5/6composite and an IM (mildly intellectuallydisabled) class.