Delany College – a learning community vibrant in our differences, united in faith.
 
Delany College is a vibrant co-educational secondary college offering quality Catholic education for Years 7-12. It is invigorating leading a dynamic Catholic learning community that has such excellent facilities. We commit significant resources to students in Years 7 and 8 to ensure they have a positive start to their learning in our secondary school. Our motto: Love, Serve and Hope, reflects the vision of our founder, Bishop Delany, to 'love God and live together in peace and charity'. We are proud to be continuing the vision and rich tradition of Patrician Brothers’ education. Our national award winning cross-curricular Literacy Plan involves an ongoing commitment to staff professional development in the specific teaching of skills to improve reading and writing outcomes. Results in English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA), School Certificate and Higher School Certificate (HSC) over the past three years indicate that our Literacy Plan is improving learning gain and making a difference, not just for the academically gifted but for many of our students.

Delany College places great value and responsibility in their parent/care giver community. Throughout the year the College seeks their advice and input on many issues relating to student welfare, college policy and especially the future direction of the college.

In 2008 the parent/care giver community will be asked to play a significant role in assisting the College to help plan and celebrate the Patrician Brothers bicentenary.  

The school is located in Grimwood St, Granville, and draws students from Holy Trinity Primary, Granville; Holy Family Primary, Granville East; St Patrick's Primary, Guildford and St Margaret Mary's Primary, Merrylands.  

Delany College follows the Parramatta Diocesan document Enrolment Procedures in Parramatta Catholic Systemic Schools, January 2002. This document states that when demand exceeds number of places available, priority for enrolment will be given to first, ‘children of Catholic families who live within the geographic boundaries of the parish (or parishes) for which the school was established, on which the school depends OR live outside the parish geographic boundaries but regularly attend such a parish'.
 

This document can be obtained from the school office or is available on our web site or the Catholic Education Office web site. 

Student enrolments

Through internal and external surveys of staff and students the following priorities were  identified for 2007:

Linked to System Strategic Goal 1: To strengthen Catholic identity

• to articulate what the Catholic dimensions are for those staff who are unsure, or unaware of faith traditions; achieved by conducting ongoing personal development (PD) for staff and celebrating Catholic feasts, celebrations, seasons and prayers
• to identify ways we can support World Youth Day (WYD);achieved by liaising with the parish and community and increasing awareness via a whole school approach
• to prepare the way for the Patrician Brothers’ bicentenary celebrations in 2008; achieved by establishing an organising committee to lead and oversee a series of events to celebrate our Patrician heritage

The College worked hard to ensure that both individual and community needs were met to ensure a rich and authentic Catholic experience. Staff, students and parishioners celebrated regularly together at masses and  liturgies that recognise events in the catholic calendar and are meaningful to the College.

College staff participated in staff prayer weekly and were offered private mentoring from religious leaders within the college and parish by request.

In 2008 the College will be extensively involved in the Patrician Brothers bi-centary celebrations. Staff and students will volunteer to particiapate in a number of events that will mark this occassion.

Linked to System Strategic Goal 2: Improving learning outcomes

• continue to develop the Literacy Plan; achieved with a focus on incorporating explicit reading strategies into teaching and learning programs
• provide learning opportunities using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);achieved by integration into teaching and learning processes

As part of the Colleges ongoing commitment to continued professional development and improving individual student outcomes the College constantly reviews and updates its learning programs, especially the Literacy Plan. This means constant staff review, input and identification of new educational reseach to inform and lead future directions.

With the implementation of CEnet into selected classes, the College  provided ongoing support to staff as well as refresher seminars throughout the year.    

• provide professional development release for teachers to support
  projected chool priorities in 2008 
• continue to develop the Delany Literacy PLan with a focus on reading strategies:
  • implement whole school, practical strategies for improving reading
  • provide timetabled support to teachers to develop explicit teaching skills to improve students' literacy skills
• development of teacher capacity to be teachers of numeracy:
  • develop common language to support numeracy across the curriculum
  • using Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program (SNAP), map numeracy skills to determine areas of need and develop strategies to improve results in these areas
• provide learning opportunities using ICT integrated into teaching and learning:
  • implement CENet into all classes
• continue 'Hitting the Target' project:
  • continue development of student report criteria

Students in NSW sit the English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA) and the Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program (SNAP) in March each year. In 2007 the test results provided valuable information about student achievements in literacy and numeracy. Analysis of these results directs school planning and is used to determine teaching and learning programs. 

ELLA and SNAP results ( Year7, 2007) percentage of students achieving in the "High" and "Proficient" bands.

Delany College has continued to see a significant improvement in students ELLA results, especially over the past 4 years when comparing the same students' Yr 7 and Yr 8 results. This proves to the College that our concerted efforts in the Literacy Plan are working. The results of this exam also go on to inform the College of future directions and areas of need.

The College plans to focus on the explicit teaching of numeracy over the next few years and is the process of developing a cross-curricular, whole school plan.

The Commonwealth Government sets minimum acceptable standards for reading, writing and numeracy at particular ages. These are referred to as national benchmarks. The performance of the students in our school in the Year 7 English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA) and in the Year 7 Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program (SNAP) is compared to these benchmarks. 

Percentage of students achieving at or above the benchmark. 

The above table further proves that the College has been successful in continuing to
improve students results by focusing on areas of direct need (as outlined from
testing) and continuing to develop teacher development in these areas. The College is proud of these achievements and will continue to work in this way
as long as students needs are being met. 

School Certificate external test results (Year 10, 2007)

Percentage of students in performance bands 4,5 and 6 compared to the state  

The College believes that underpinning all academic success students need a strong and relevant literacy platform. While the College notes that improvements can be made in students School Certificate results, we believe that a continued, concerted  effort in literacy and numeracy will benefit students across all subjects. 

Higher School Certificate results (Year 12, 2007)

Percentage of students in performance bands 4,5 and 6 compared to the state

The College is proud of all its Year 12 students, many who achieved personal best results in their exams. 32% of this year group went on to tertiary study, many the first in their families.

The College is dedicated to providing subject choices and learning support for all students, especially in the area of literacy and numeracy.

In the senior years, the College provides courses run in conjunction with TAFE, universities and the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta, such as Step Up Into Teaching.

For teachers, many professional development programs are offered that broaden and support the values of the College. These include professional development opportunities provided internally and externally.

For students entering the College in Year 7 there is an orientation day held prior to the beginning of the school year, and information nights are held for families. At these sessions, new parents are able to meet the College staff and ask questions.  Students with special educational needs attend a small group orientation with their parents to ensure they know how to access support. As part of ensuring the transition to the College is as stress free as possible, the College programs reduced class sizes and ensured minimal room changes for all Year 7 classes.

For students entering the senior school (Years 11-12), an individual student management program begins in term 3. This process involves assessment of the students' needs and includes ongoing collaboration with students and their families. This process also includes a one week 'Senior Preparation' course that is run at the College with individual subject counselling.

The school was also involved in a number of co-curricular activities. These included:

• athletics and swimming carnivals

• public speaking

• creative arts night

• debating

• fashion parades

• Mathematics competitions

• bands

• school camps

• retreats

• drama

• peer support

• representative sports

As part of the Patrician heritage of the College, students are steeped in the tradition of social justice and working for others. It is a core value that supports many of the College's social activities and initiatives.  

Each year, students elect year representatives to the Student Representative Council (SRC). The SRC meets regularly with the principal and staff to discuss school improvement, organise events and initiate fundraising opportunities. The College has instigated a Senior Leadership program for students in Years 11 and 12. The leadership team is responsive to the needs of the community and models collaborative leadership for all students in the College. Delany College will continue to operate the Peer Support program which involves Year 10 students working with Year 7 students as they transition to high school. Year 10 students are trained by College staff to mentor the younger students. These students have embraced this responsibility and have developed interpersonal and leadership skills.   

In 2007 a new Merit Award program was introduced at the College. This new program allows teachers to award points to students for positive behaviour which go towards the student's house. Also, points are deducted for adverse behaviour. Points are also awarded at the athletic and swimming carnivals.

Throughout the year the College holds a number of opportunities for teachers, students and their families to discuss the students' progress. These opportunities provide valuable feedback to the College.

During the year students also complete a variety of surveys that provide information to the College on student behaviour management and teaching strategies. This information has become vital in assisting staff in better planning College activities.

Teachers also participate in a number of surveys. The topic of these surveys vary according to need but provide crucial information in College planning.

Professional Learning

The average student attendance for Years 7-10, 2007 was 99%.

The average student attendance for Years 11and 12, 2007 was 98%.

The actual retention rate from Year 10 2005 to Year 12 2007 was 78%.

Year 12 2007

Percentage of students gone to:

Work - 26%

Tertiary study - 32%

Apprenticeship/Traineeships - 9%

Armed Forces - 4%

TAFE - 27%

Unknown - 2%

Pastoral care for students is the backbone of a Catholic education. Delany College takes seriously its part in providing a safe and nurturing environment for students and staff. At the heart of this program is a clear and well understood Student Management Policy.

Delany College has appointed two part-time counsellors to ensure that all students and families who need support can be provided for in an appropriate way. The College runs a Peer Support program involving Years 7 and 10 students. This has many personal benefits for those involved and enhances the transition program for Year 7 students.

The College runs many pastoral care programs to assist students in their faith and personal development. These commence in Year 7 and go through to Year 12. These include working with St Vincent de Paul throughout the year and many other social programs in the global community.

Delany College firmly believes that everyone has a right to learn and feel safe. The College has a strong and effective Student Management Policy that clearly outlines the expectations staff have of all students. Aspects of this policy can be found in the College diary and include:

• College code of conduct
• Student parent contract
• Expectations about learning
• Student Management Policy (summary)
• School service
• Defiant behaviour
• Hands off Policy
• Uniform Policy
• Homework Policy

The full text of student management/welfare and discipline policies can be obtained from the office and the College website.

These policies have not been changed since 2006 but are reviewed annually by the College Executive and/or on an individual needs basis.

The school has formal written protocols in place to address complaints and grievances. These protocols are in line with the CEO Complaint Handling policy. A copy of the policy is available from the College administration office and the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta.

School Recurrent & Capital Income

School Recurrent & Capital Expenditure

School System Recurrent & Capital Income

School System Recurrent & Capital Expenditure