Coonamble Connection
Artefact 1
Annotation
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The Coonamble Connection was established in March 2015 between Chatswood PS and Coonamble PS. Why: This was created in order to foster and improve the cultural understanding between two vastly different communities – namely a middle class, highly urbanised and racially diverse community with a rural, highly unemployed and highly indigenous community. What: Sharing of pedagogy, experience as well as cultural knowledge, for staff and students is an important element of this relationship. How: Processes for teacher and student contact and visits between the schools have been established and are continuing to be developed.
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The Significant Impact
The Coonamble Memorandum of Understanding supports the School’s Strategic Direction of Real World Connections and complements the already existing relationships with schools in Korea and China. Since the MOU was established there have been:
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visits each year by the Coonamble PS student leaders who have joined our student leaders for leadership forums in the city.
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two groups of 20 students in 2015 and 2016 sent to visit Coonamble PS during their NAIDOC week celebrations. In both years Coonamble PS have sent groups of up to 20 students to take part in our Moon Festival and China Day programs.
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four of our staff had the opportunity to teach for a week at Coonamble PS in 2016 and 2017.
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staff links and sharing of pedagogy established through narrative writing, filmmaking and STEM.
Analysis
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In our self-assessment process the leadership team analysed a range of evidence to support our judgement.
SEF Connections
Learning Element
Learning Culture - Excelling
Positive and respectful relationships across the school community underpin a productive learning environment, and support students’ development of strong identities as learners.
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Wellbeing - Sustaining and Growing
The school encourages students to recognise and respect cultural identity and diversity. Students care for self, and contribute to the wellbeing of others and the wider community.
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Curriculum and Learning - Sustaining and Growing
The school provides a range of extracurricular offerings for student development. Curriculum provision is enhanced by learning alliances with other schools and organisations. Extra-curricular learning opportunities are significant, support student development, and are strongly aligned with the school’s vision, values and priorities.
Teaching Element
Professional Standards - Sustaining and Growing
Teachers work beyond their classrooms to contribute to broader school programs
Leading Element
Leadership - Sustaining and Growing
Links exist with communities of schools, other educational providers and other organisations to support the school’s programs. The school community is committed to the school’s strategic directions and practices to achieve educational priorities.
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Please check the link below re: School Excellence Framework