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 CENTRE REPORT

PO address
PO Box 1421 Yeppoon Qld 4703
Phone
0749392510
Fax
0749392522
Email
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Website
www.nkieec.eq.edu.au
Principal’s foreword

Introduction
North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre (NKIEEC) is one of Education Queensland’s 25 Outdoor and Environmental Education Centres. It is located in one of the most remarkable and unique locations, being on a National Park Island within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. North Keppel Island is home to the traditional owners, Kanomie, of which the island is also named.
NKIEEC offers students direct access to a variety of terrestrial and marine ecosystems with the reef being less than 100 metres from student accommodation. A range of habitats including open woodlands, grasslands, intertidal flats and mangroves offer excellent venues to conduct educational programs in.
NKIEEC offers diverse range of programs including the following:
Destination – day visits through to extended residential programs.
Partnership – Queensland Environmental Sustainable Schools Initiative and Energy Wise Programs.
Expert – programs developed with clients.
The majority of programs are with Queensland State Schools and are 4 to 5 days residential programs.
The success of programs is based on effective school, community partnerships, and the dedication and commitment to operations by centre staff. Strategic partners include: Traditional owners, Capricorn Coast Cluster, QESSI, Energy Wise, Marine Parks, QPSW, Central Queensland University, Reef Guardian, GBRMPA and local schools.
Program quality is directly related to a partnership approach delivered in all program and support areas. This is fostered through the orientation program and ensures specifics needs and desired educational outcomes are met.
The remaining sections of the annual report detail school operations and performance.
Future outlook
NKIEEC has increased its planned intake of students for in 2009.
Curriculum initiatives for 2009 include:
· Support for Queensland Curriculum and Reporting Framework.
· Extension of the Middle Years of Learning Program.
· Expansion of QESSI and Energy Wise program.
· Development of the history program.
· Continuation of Lost and Found – early childhood program and partnership program with CQ University early childhood teachers and SOSE teachers.
· Enhance use and delivery of ICT based curriculum.
NKIEEC seeks to enhance its facilities to support education outcomes and is exploring the following:
· Investigate and possible construction of shared admin / dry lab facility to house library, ICTs, staff room.
· Upgrade cultural cabin.
· Upgrade ICTs including Gundoo Spirit integration of data pro / flat screen, movie camera.
· Investigate upgrade of rigid inflatable and other options.
· Investigate dining room extension.
· Plan to complete unfinished building infrastructure to 5 buildings with one building completely finished.
· Integrate sustainable features and curriculum into facilities infrastructure.
· Maintain and upgrade alternative energy system and solar hot water systems.
NKIEEC plans to capitalise on opportunities in the current climate for change in the broader community associated with key agenda items:
· Climate change.
· Government focus on Sustainability and Health.
· Funding opportunities including exploring options to incorporate the NKIEEC council.
· Focus on the Great Barrier Reef and opportunities given NKIEEC’s unique location.
  • Delivery of programs based upon destination, expert and partnership models.
School Profile
2008 visitation information includes:
· 27 State School Student residential programs – 672 students.
· 3 Non State School Residential Programs – 138 students.
· 1 Extended Residential Program.
· 9 Other programs – 196 Adults.
· 3 Teacher Orientation Programs.
· 10 State School day visits – 266 Students.
· 1 Non State School visit – 11 Students.
· 1 Other day visit – 31 Adults.
· Programs are Coeducational and student attendance ranges from Prep to Tertiary / Adult.
Curriculum offerings
Our distinctive curriculum offerings:
· Environmental Education
· Education for Sustainability
· Marine Education
· Outdoor Education
· Programs that promote a respect, care and concern for self, others and the environment
· Programs that promote personal and interpersonal development
· Programs that offer a unique residential island experience role modeling sustainable living
· Each program is developed in partnership with the visiting coordinator which results in customized and specialised programs.
Extra curricula activities:
· Most programs are residential in nature thus curriculum is essential delivered “24 hours” a day, specifically in regards to living sustainability .
· All programs require teacher attendance at orientation thus promoting extensions of program to schools and homes. The travel buddy is often used as an extension to student extra curricula activities.
· The extension of the MYOL program into subject delivery in school in an exciting initiative aiming to results in deeper learning experiences connected with the student’s home community.
· NKIEEC delivers an open day to the public and also runs a substantial volunteer program over weekends that support community involvement.
How computers are used to assist learning:
· ICTs are integrated into many programs at NKIEEC. The use of digital cameras and photography is commonly included. The extension to environmental photography and art also supported.
· ICTs are utilised for the briefings of students such as the plankton trawl and this is extended through the use of digital microscopes.
· ICTs are used on board the centres vessel Gundoo Spirit with GPS, radar and depth sounder. Handheld GPS are also used within the curriculum. Hand held radios are used to support safety and use of ICTs appropriately.
· Specific programs also have a higher focus on ICTS. For example, the Girls in ICTs program and arts programs.
Social climate
NKIEEC offers smaller group programs (maximum 50) which allows for a personal approach to programs. Pastoral care of students is an integral aspect of operations at NKIEEC. Supporting and fostering an inclusive, positive and sustainable community is a vital part of all programs.
Detailed welcomes and inductions (including orientation) support creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere where staff and students feel comfortable, well informed and aware of roles and responsibilities. Risk management is a critical aspect of operating in a remote residential facility and staff highly trained in first aid and emergency response.
Operating an educational facility in an island environment requires flexibility among NKIEEC staff and visiting groups. This is a key aspect of operations and results in students receiving the best possible program which may require modification to cater for weather, tides and external influences. Delivering programs on an island also allows a philosophical and real world opportunity to step away from daily life and allows a unique opportunity for reflection and goal setting.
NKIEEC prides itself on establishing quality relationships with schools and students to delivery quality environmental education and education for sustainability.

Involving parents in their child’s education.
In liaison with the visiting school, parents may be invited to attend residential programs with their students. This is more frequent with primary aged students. This supports the extension of student learning to the wider school community.
Orientation programs for teachers also support extension and understanding of the visiting schools to support parent involvement, awareness and understanding of curriculum delivered at NKIEEC. NKIEEC support the transition of learning to the visiting school and home community and this is made explicit through debriefs. Through longer term partnership programs (QESSI and Energy Wise) more frequent visits are made to the school site and interaction may occur with parents through these programs.
NKIEEC provides detailed information regarding programs to schools and orientation allows teachers to have a first hand knowledge of operations, the site and curriculum to support parents understanding of programs. NKIEEC liaises with parents and aims to keep parents well informed during programs. Student welfare and safety (social, emotional and physical) are of paramount importance to all staff.
NKIEEC is developing an online survey to enable greater input and feedback system from parents.
Qualifications of all teachers.
Highest level of attainment Number of classroom teachers and school leaders at the school
Doctorate 0
Masters 0
Bachelor degree 2
Grad Diploma 1
Certificate 0
Expenditure on and teacher participation in professional development.
.
· The major professional development initiatives are as follows: First aid training, oxygen resuscitation, Gundoo Spirit Training, Team Building, QESSI, OEECPA attendance, Dreamtime personality workshop, Principal conference and business meetings and mentoring first year teacher.
· The involvement of the teaching staff in professional development activities during 2008 was 100 %.
Average staff attendance
· For permanent and temporary staff and school leaders the staff attendance rate was % in 2008.
Proportion of staff retained from the previous school year.
· From the end of the 2007 school year, 75% of staff were retained by the school for the entire 2008 school year.

 

 

2007 ANNUAL REPORT

This report has been developed to inform Queensland communities about the North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre’s recent performances. It supports the intent of the Department of Education and the Arts school reporting requirements, as well as mandated reporting areas for similar Centre's throughout Queensland. Meaningful information about performances, achievements and future directions of this award-winning Centre (such as values achievements and life-long impacts that Centre experiences have on students) can be found in the 2005-2007 Partnership Agreement on this website. Further information is also available by contacting the Centre.

Name of Centre

North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre

Status

This state education facility supports state schools, independent and Catholic schools, as well as university and community groups.

State schools have priority of access.

Central Queensland University has access under the terms and conditions of a formal Agreement.

Location

North Keppel Island

Postal Address:
PO Box 1421
Yeppoon 4703

Visitation Data

  

2006 Visitation Data

2007 Service Agreement
 
State
Non State
Other
State Only
No. of Day Visitations
879
117
321
563
No. of Night Visitations
2535
233
148
2621
Total Visitations
3414
438
469
3184

Year levels offered

The Centre supports programs from preparatory years through to adult learning.

The majority of state schools applications are upper primary and upper secondary.

Gender support

The Centre has facilities to support both co-educational and single-sex programs.

Distinctive Curriculum Offerings

All Centre programs are developed with visiting teachers to support cross-curricula needs- through a focus on Outdoor and Environmental Education. Every program is different.

Activities details are provided at the Activities section of this website.

The Centre has been recognised as a QESSI hub. Partnership agreements have been developed with six Fitzroy-Central West Regional Schools for 2006-2007.

A Queensland first curriculum program will be supported in October. This extended residential program focuses on the characteristics and needs of adolescents (year nine students) over a three week period. The values of nature will be the curriculum organisers, and the members of the local community will be involved.

Staff development priorities -2007

Priorities are aligned to operational needs of the isolated Centre and include first-aid, land and water-based skills development, science education, site-specific IT requirements, and Outdoor and Environmental Education.

In addition, the Centre will support staff development in the area of extended programs.

Parental involvement

The decision on the level of parental involvement with actual program rests with the visiting coordinator and based on needs of students and program support.

Coordinators are encouraged to involve parents in the various stages of program development- with some schools having up to 50 parents involved in the actual program.

In 2006, one extended residential program for example invites all parents in the planning, learning, assessment and evaluation stages.

The centre also is fortunate to have QCPCA representation on Council.

Distinctive skills of staff

The NKIEEC team are a talented crew!
All staff have specialised skills that support Centre operations.
Details are available in the Staff section of this website.