Besides our wonderful students, the people who make Cannon Hill a great school include our teaching staff, our support staff, our parent volunteers and our specialist teachers.
Teamwork is what makes a difference and at Cannon Hill State School all members of our 'School Team' - teachers, aides, specialists, and parents - work together with the common goal of assisting our students. Being a small school helps to ensure that everyone knows each other, which is key to good teamwork.
Teaching Staff
We currently have eleven classes including our Prep groups.
All our teachers, be they new to the teaching profession or experienced, are enthusiastic practitioners who are committed not only to helping our students develop a passion for learning but also to achieving their potential.
They have a variety of talents including high artistic ability, sporting ability, and of course, child development expertise. Our Early Years teachers are specially selected for their expertise in Early Childhood Education.
All our teaching staff have undergone professional development in the Reggio Emilia approach, which influences all aspects of teaching and learning in our school. Also, seven staff members have also completed the Reggio Emilia Study Tour, to further develop their expertise and gather new ideas.
Specialist Teachers
Specialist teachers provide children with in-depth expertise in their particular areas. We have specialists in Music, Instrumental Music, Physical Education and Italian.
Our Support Teacher Literacy and Numeracy assists children who require learning support. Our Guidance Officer is available to assist with students experiencing social, emotional or learning-related difficulties at school. And our Speech Language Pathologist (who visits our school several times a term) assists students experiencing difficulties in speech, oral language and communication.
We also have an Inclusion teacher and specialist teacher aides, who can assist students with disabilities or learning difficulties, either on an individual or small group basis.
An EALD (English as a second or additional language or dialect) teacher supports students' needs, developing English in order to access all areas of the curriculum.
Parents are encouraged to contact the school if they are interested in arranging a referral to any of these services. Referrals may also be instigated by school staff.
Class Organisation
From Prep to Year 3, classes are normally 25 children. From Year 4 to 6 classes can be up to 30 children.
At this school there is usually a mix of single and multi-age classes.
Even within a single class there is enormous variation in the developmental levels of the children. In the middle years, there can be up to seven years difference in the various developmental levels of children of the same chronological age. Our curriculum is designed to assist students to succeed in moving from their current level up to the next level, irrespective of the age grouping of the class. Children in multi-age classes benefit from the mix of age groups.
Research shows that the academic achievements of children in multi-age classes are the same as children in single age classes. The social development of children in multi-age classes is greatly improved in comparison to single age classes.
Learning Technologies
In Years 5 and 6 there is an option to become part of a 1 to 1 Tablet Class. This is a very popular choice. Other children have shared access to computers.
All computers are linked to the internet. Computers are a part of our students' daily learning experience. They engage with programs such as Lexia and Reading Plus (Literacy), Maths Online, Literacy Pro and also produce their work using the digital environment.
IPads, digital cameras and a digital microscope can be accessed to complement and document learning. There is an Electronic Smart Board or Data Projector in each year level to enhance learning in all curriculum areas.
Assessment and Reporting
Each student's progress is regularly assessed and reported to parents. During Semester One and Semester Two, Three Way Parent meetings are held with all parents to discuss student progress. We pride ourselves on being approachable to all parents.