Achieving excellence in literacy at Wallace Rockhole School
11 December 2007
Wallace Rockhole is a small remote school with 34 students currently enrolled. It is an English as a Second Language (ESL) school where students speak Arrernte in their homes and learn in English at school.
Principal Kate Manley, who has taught at the school for two and a half years, said, "We pride ourselves on delivering a mainstream education that is on par with both Darwin and Alice Springs. The school is dedicated to delivering the best, comprehensive education. We are fortunate to have excellent community involvement with around 30 parents and community members usually attending the monthly school council meetings."
"Next year we look forward to employing a second teacher and occupying a new classroom,” Ms Manley said.
Chief Minister's Literacy Achievement Awards are being presented to seven students who have excelled in literacy during 2007, many of whom have attended Wallace Rockhole School for all of their school life.
The staff, school council and Wallace Rockhole community are very proud of the hard work of their students and congratulate the literacy award winners on their excellent achievements.
Daniel (Year 6) (Most Imaginative - Written) Daniel has attended Wallace Rockhole School all of his life. For most of this year Daniel has been the school's only Year 6 student. Next year he will attend St Phillip's College in Alice Springs. Daniel’s description and attention to detail makes him a wonderful story teller.
Nelson (Year 5) (Most Improved - Reading) Nelson was a reluctant student who has worked very hard for the past two years to 'catch up' after having had difficulties learning to read and write. He is now working at a Year 5 mainstream level. In the MAP tests this year he achieved consistent Year 7 benchmark or above results in reading, writing and numeracy. The principal said his results took her breath away, and the school is so proud of him. Nelson hasn't looked back since his Special Ed teacher gave him a coloured overlay to help him read.
Brooke (Year 4) (Most Improved - Writing) Brook is one of the school’s quiet achievers. Brook is a steady worker who puts her head down and gets on with her work. Over the past year Brooke put in a determined effort to improve her writing. Gone are the days when she would ask, "How many lines it is?" Now it’s "I just have to finish this bit" or "Can I have some more time to finish?" Her confidence has improved and so has her spelling and grammar.
Dallas (Year 3) (Most Improved - Reading) Dallas has spent most of his school life as the only student at the Year 3 level. He has always excelled at school and for the past 3 years has worked with the students one year above. Dallas is achieving wonderful results at a Year 4 level and also in the MAP tests this year. Daniel’s oral reading is wonderful.
Gloria (Year 2) (Most Improved - Writing) Gloria has always enjoyed writing stories, she has an excellent vocabulary and reads extensively. This is shown in the maturity of her writing. Gloria has now got the bug for writing reports and doing school research projects. She takes it as a personal challenge to perform better than the big boys and girls in Year 5 and 6.
Nathaniel (Year 1) (Most Improved - Oral Language) Nathaniel speaks his first language Arrernte most of the time outside of school. At the beginning of this school year he started in the ILSS program. He was very shy and reluctant to talk to this teacher in English. Nathaniel is now a chatty little boy who can hold his own in an English speaking classroom.
Jennicka (Transition) (Most Improved - Oral Language) If ever a prize was awarded for the most curious student it would go to Jennicka. If there is something to learn she'll want to know more about it. If there is a question to be asked or an answer to be given, Jennicka will be there.
Wallace Rockhole students will receive Chief Minister's Literacy Achievement Awards at the school's prize giving ceremony on Wednesday, 12 December 2007.
At end of year school assemblies, 1071 nominated students will be recognised for their literacy achievements across the Northern Territory.