Top marks for academic success
06 October 2009
Soaring results in science, literacy and numeracy are winning over students, staff and parents at three Queensland schools - but only one will take out the Showcase Award for Academic Excellence on October 29. Rebecca Perry reports.
Year 7 students from Albany Hills State School test DNA gel electrophoresis.
Albany Hills State School
You don't have to be Einstein to know the joy of finding things out
Albany Hills State School's Cheryl Capra and her team know their science lessons are making a lasting impression on students at the Brisbane school.
'Students' literacy has improved significantly as they learn to explore and understand science,' Ms Capra said.
'They are very keen to explain their science to everyone, sharing what Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman called "the joy of finding things out".'
The students' enthusiasm and high achievements are testament to the school's science program mantra - 'you don't have to be Einstein to know the joy of finding things out'.
Ms Capra said skills developed through science, such as critical thinking, planning and measurement were also being used in other subjects as children embrace a range of exciting and inclusive investigations.
'From Prep through to Year 7, Albany Hills' kids enjoy finding the evidence through their scientific investigations,' she said.
Albany Hills State School website 
North Lakes State College
Literacy e Nostra Potenza - Literacy is Our Strength
As a P-12 school, North Lakes State College, north of Brisbane, is working hard to create seamless transitions between year levels.
The hard work is paying off with the school performing well in the 2008 National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
Executive principal Tracy Corsbie said central to the school's success was its literacy program, which aims to provide personalised attention to all students within the large school.
'Literacy achievements are strong and students strive for rewards and recognition including superhero capes for youngsters and a community luncheon for each phase of learning,' she said.
Ms Corsbie said the whole school spends a lot of time analysing student performance data so that decisions are always based on evidence.
'We have more than 2800 children, so students' progress is monitored at several stages throughout the year.'
North Lakes State College website
At Thornlands State School Year 7 students read to Prep children as part of the school's successful Igniting Writing with SPARKS program.
Thornlands State School
Igniting Writing with SPARKS
Writing is embraced at Thornlands State School thanks to the Igniting Writing with SPARKS program, a long-running effort to encourage literacy among students.
Deputy principal at the Redlands school, Jayne Barnett, said the program offered a very motivating environment for students and staff.
'Children really enjoy writing and are extremely proud of putting their name against their work in their folders, which become a lovely memento for parents,' Ms Barnett said.
'It is a very powerful endorsement of our program when students exit Year 7 and we can see how their writing has progressed.'
Ms Barnett said staff, students and parents were proud of the writing program and its achievements.
'Long term data places our Year 3, 5 and 7 students significantly above state averages, with 2008 NAPLAN data showing our Year 3 and 5 students meeting the national mean and our Year 7 student exceeding it,' she said.
The school has shared its success with a host of schools from around Australia and a delegation from New Zealand.
Thornlands State School website
Click here for more information about the Showcase Awards.
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