Latest news with #TheEntrance
Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We haven't looked back': How these eight schools are turning around results
Two Central Coast schools – The Entrance Public and Budgewoi Public – were highlighted in a new report by The Grattan Institute, The Maths Guarantee, on how to boost maths performance in primary schools. Stitt credits teaching consistency and 'door-to-floor' class routines for the dramatic turnaround in behaviour. The school recorded 80 suspensions in 2020, last year that fell to 20. Just three suspensions have been issued in the first two terms of this year, he says. He recalls starting at the school in 2019, when 'classrooms would be trashed, we had violence. I was constantly at rooms getting turned over. We would have to evacuate the classrooms,' he says. Teachers became afraid to teach, he says. 'We had to draw a line.' 'Open plan learning didn't really work here. That free-range approach, the students didn't cope well. Kids were disengaged, we had kids facing all different ways. It can add to cognitive load too, so we did away with that and kids can focus on learning.' The change in teaching approach meant lessons became fast-paced and students were engaged. Teachers check for students' understanding as the lesson progresses, data is monitored carefully. Vocabulary classes were introduced to help students learn up to 400 'tier two' words a year. This year, for the first time, the school's year 3 reading, spelling and numeracy NAPLAN results are above the Australian average. The school is in the top 10 per cent of public schools for value-add data, the contribution a school makes to student learning. Five years ago, about 60 per cent of year 1 students at the school needed extra support with phonics, or identifying letter-sound combinations. Last year, it was 16 per cent. The eight Central Coast schools are also part of a grassroots group known as the Effective and Systematic Teaching Network (EAST) which writes lessons plans schools can use with the kindergarten to year 6 maths curriculum. Sam Higgins, a year 4 teacher at The Entrance who helped write the EAST maths resources, says providing lesson plans is especially useful for new teachers. 'When I started teaching I felt like I was really struggling. You're just left to your own devices, which can lead to a lead to a haphazard approach to teaching. Having shared resources gives you something to lean on,' Higgins said. But Stitt said while there is a high level of structure to the school day, 'there is a lot of room for individualism, warmth, and for the teachers to put their twist on things.' Jesmond Zammit, principal at Gorokan Public, said having a network of schools to share knowledge has helped improve student outcomes. 'We were all doing our own things within each individual school. Now we have a collective where the primary pedagogy is explicit teaching, and we have a laser focus on it,' Zammit said. 'We work together, we visit each other's schools.' At The Entrance and Gorokan Public, about 60 per cent of students come from the lowest socio-educational quartile. 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students make up 25 per cent of our 610 students. This year their year 5 NAPLAN reading results were off the charts, and well above statistically similar schools,' he said. 'It's been a real game changer for our students in terms of life opportunities. And if they go to another school in this area, then the learning is consistent.' Stitt said one of the major changes is that parents have confidence in the school. 'We get about 60 or 65 per cent at parent teacher interviews. Our aim over the next year is to increase that, really get more parent engagement because we know what a difference that can make.'
The Age
23-07-2025
- General
- The Age
‘We haven't looked back': How these eight schools are turning around results
Two Central Coast schools – The Entrance Public and Budgewoi Public – were highlighted in a new report by The Grattan Institute, The Maths Guarantee, on how to boost maths performance in primary schools. Stitt credits teaching consistency and 'door-to-floor' class routines for the dramatic turnaround in behaviour. The school recorded 80 suspensions in 2020, last year that fell to 20. Just three suspensions have been issued in the first two terms of this year, he says. He recalls starting at the school in 2019, when 'classrooms would be trashed, we had violence. I was constantly at rooms getting turned over. We would have to evacuate the classrooms,' he says. Teachers became afraid to teach, he says. 'We had to draw a line.' 'Open plan learning didn't really work here. That free-range approach, the students didn't cope well. Kids were disengaged, we had kids facing all different ways. It can add to cognitive load too, so we did away with that and kids can focus on learning.' The change in teaching approach meant lessons became fast-paced and students were engaged. Teachers check for students' understanding as the lesson progresses, data is monitored carefully. Vocabulary classes were introduced to help students learn up to 400 'tier two' words a year. This year, for the first time, the school's year 3 reading, spelling and numeracy NAPLAN results are above the Australian average. The school is in the top 10 per cent of public schools for value-add data, the contribution a school makes to student learning. Five years ago, about 60 per cent of year 1 students at the school needed extra support with phonics, or identifying letter-sound combinations. Last year, it was 16 per cent. The eight Central Coast schools are also part of a grassroots group known as the Effective and Systematic Teaching Network (EAST) which writes lessons plans schools can use with the kindergarten to year 6 maths curriculum. Sam Higgins, a year 4 teacher at The Entrance who helped write the EAST maths resources, says providing lesson plans is especially useful for new teachers. 'When I started teaching I felt like I was really struggling. You're just left to your own devices, which can lead to a lead to a haphazard approach to teaching. Having shared resources gives you something to lean on,' Higgins said. But Stitt said while there is a high level of structure to the school day, 'there is a lot of room for individualism, warmth, and for the teachers to put their twist on things.' Jesmond Zammit, principal at Gorokan Public, said having a network of schools to share knowledge has helped improve student outcomes. 'We were all doing our own things within each individual school. Now we have a collective where the primary pedagogy is explicit teaching, and we have a laser focus on it,' Zammit said. 'We work together, we visit each other's schools.' At The Entrance and Gorokan Public, about 60 per cent of students come from the lowest socio-educational quartile. 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students make up 25 per cent of our 610 students. This year their year 5 NAPLAN reading results were off the charts, and well above statistically similar schools,' he said. 'It's been a real game changer for our students in terms of life opportunities. And if they go to another school in this area, then the learning is consistent.' Stitt said one of the major changes is that parents have confidence in the school. 'We get about 60 or 65 per cent at parent teacher interviews. Our aim over the next year is to increase that, really get more parent engagement because we know what a difference that can make.'
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Central, Wyong set for third game in eight days as NEWRL finals race heats up
Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win.
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Wild winds and big surf batter the Central Coast
Coastal erosion is a concern for people living on the beachfront of Wamberal and The Entrance as a prolonged weather system bears down on the NSW.
