While the Weyburn Comprehensive School excels in academics and cleanliness it needs more spirit, according to the findings of a school effectiveness review released on Monday.
The school effectiveness review was completed by a team from the University of Saskatchewan and led by Patrick Renihan of the Department of Educational Administration. The results were unveiled to the staff in a meeting on Monday afternoon, followed by a presentation to the Comp board and to the public in the evening, attended by around 15 people.
Renihan and a team of three students did an intensive survey which included all of the students, and responses from 92 per cent of the staff and 68 per cent of the parents. Interviews and focus groups were held at the school with all three groups in mid-February.
Renihan was impressed by the level of response to the survey, and said the results show the Comp is "second to none in the province" for its emphasis on academics, high expectations of students by teachers and cleanliness of the facility.
Praise for a strong and committed teaching staff was another point to come out of the combined results of the school review, along with the extra-curricular activities available to students, the variety of course options, and the helpfulness of the support and office staff.
On the side where improvements are needed, the school's leaky roof was one of the top concerns on the facility.
"They talked about that a lot. If you look at the data, the physical environment of the school comes highest of all (for praise). Graffiti is a non-issue here. If I could bring you into a number of other schools it's a different story," Renihan told the small group of parents.
Comments from the staff in the review included a need for more long-term planning, a better relationship between staff and administration and better collaboration between the various departments in the school. Renihan said the school is departmentalized much like a university, with some departments having little to do with others, and "there's a good feeling on staff if collaboration happened it would address some of the issues."
The need to bolster the school spirit was pointed out as a need, with many students saying they like things like spirit day and other related activities; the comment was also made that some students don't like to see all the SRC members appointed. Renihan said he recommended to staff there be a balance between appointed and elected members of the student council.
Renihan also noted this is the first study out of the 60 he's done so far where the SRC approached him beforehand and asked to have some questions put onto the survey for them.
A need for more recognition of teacher and student achievements was also mentioned by the staff and students, he added.
Among other recommendations made to the board and staff is to go to a two-vice-principal system, encourage leadership enhancement, and change the format of the report cards. Renihan said there were many responses, particularly from parents, that they do not like the report cards as they are currently going out, as they feel not information is being included.
"You've got good people here, a good basis for doing something with the report," said Renihan, noting all board members and administrators have copies of the report, and copies for parents to see will be made available through the school office. He added the next step will really be up to the parents, staff and students as to improving the school to become a really outstanding institution.
"It's one thing to do a study and get feedback, but you need more than feedback. You need to close the circle. The big question is what kinds of things should happen as a result of the survey? You need good brainstorming, and the kids have to be involved with that, no question about it," said Renihan.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: production@weyburnreview.com
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.