Programs, People and Partnerships.

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1 NEW HORIZONS

2 Our strategic design, New Horizons, is founded on the three dimensions which set apart this energetic and forward thinking school: Programs, People and Partnerships. 2

3 A Message from the Chair of MLC School Council New Horizons is the framework for the MLC School s strategic design for the next five years. Launched to the School Community in December 2012, it is the culmination of a comprehensive planning process commenced in mid Crafted to guide and articulate our priorities, it also combines our long term architectural vision for the campus, because we believe that aesthetics and spaces for learning are inextricably linked to better outcomes for students. Inherent in New Horizons is our desire to build on the School s strong educational foundations and to be responsive to the changing needs of the complex times in which we live. It connects our educational purpose with the School s Uniting Church foundation that calls us to serve humanity. Our strategic design, acknowledges the importance of providing experiences for girls to identify their talents, letting their individual light shine so that they may follow in the footsteps of our forebears, and with a strong Christian foundation, continue to Walk as Daughters of the Light. Our aspiration, as always, is to prepare our students to be young women who have a well-defined sense of self, and who dare to be agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of others. Pauline Johnston, Chair NEW HORIZONS 3

4 MLC School continues to be a leading school of influence in the education of young women. With a pioneering tradition that spans 126 years, we offer a fully integrated Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 educational experience, one that is predicated on in-depth knowledge of how girls learn best. Our founding ethos of breaking the outdated traditions of girls education means that the School is dedicated to innovation that creates a nurturing and enjoyable environment for our girls to adopt a questioning mindset, where learning becomes the business of everyday living. A strong spiritual focus encourages girls to develop a deep understanding of the Christian faith, and respect for those of varying faith traditions. Our extensive co-curricular programs focus on leadership, personal challenge and resilience to empower our girls to become fearless, independent and compassionate young women. We are proud of our culturally and ethnically diverse student population, and honour the identity of every girl, acknowledging that her story contributes to our shared identity. The voices of our students influence our commitment to providing a safe and secure haven where girls find their place, and develop a sense of belonging. We want our students to serve humanity and to genuinely contribute, through their actions, to making the world a better place. The world needs young women who are curious about, and have the courage to, participate in shaping our common future. Our role is to expand girls expectations of their capacities and capabilities for leadership roles in the global marketplace. We, and our students at MLC School, are ready for the challenge. It is time to tell the story of how we intend achieving It. Denice Scala, Principal 4

5 VISION MLC School will inspire young women to collaborate, create & innovate for a better world. NEW HORIZONS 5

6 A fearless thinker has: Fundamental optimism Multiple perspectives of the world A questioning mindset A philosophy that learning is integral and personal to one s life The ability to think critically and creatively when solving problems Courage when taking initiative The confidence to challenge stereotypes 6

7 MISSION Founded in 1886 MLC School is an Australian Independent Girls School of the Uniting Church. MLC School s mission is to educate young women to be fearless thinkers with moral courage and compassion to be agents of change in their own lives and the lives of others. OUR VALUES Pursue excellence Demonstrate integrity Celebrate diversity Embrace world citizenship Live with humility NEW HORIZONS 7

8 MLC School: NEW HORIZONS three dimensions, five priorities Enhance co-curricular opportunities for individual enrichment Re-design Senior School campus Introduce new Learning Frameworks with a rigorous, global focus Powerful Learning PROGRAMS Explore opportunities for students to nurture an ethos of social responsibility Serving Humanity Seek mutually beneficial partnerships to enhance outcomes for all PARTNERSHIPS Stewardship of Finite Resources PEOPLE Unrivalled Experiences Whole School icant learning Enhance personally signif Attract, retain and develop high quality staff Pursue excellence 8 5

9 Dimension 1: PROGRAMS Engagement is the starting point for the Program dimension of our strategic design, New Horizons. Serious play and high challenge leads to powerful learning, and powerful learning is the work of everyday living. When there is a catalyst for both, then the joy and love of learning, that insatiable curiosity present in a young child, leads to engagement that lasts forever. We aim to place our students at the forefront of our program design, to anchor their thinking in big ideas, deep understanding and purposeful action. Our aspiration is to create engaging, relevant learning opportunities to develop young women who are wellrounded, fearless, resilient and empowered. We understand that our physical environment is also a teacher. The spaces we create in the newly re-designed Senior School campus will provide opportunities for students to participate in the design of their projects. This provides them with the freedom to explore creative solutions to their work across a range of learning environments and disciplines. It is important to encourage students to be passionate learners, to develop their natural curiosity and to show independence in learning. Enjoyment in tasks results in improved academic results and increased student well-being. One Strategic Priority Powerful Learning Our academic, co-curricular and pastoral care programs are responsive to the changing needs of these complex times and encourage girls to take measured risks, embrace innovation and adapt to change. Research indicates that students perform well academically when they are engaged in their learning. Their level of engagement is optimised when they believe that their tasks are connected to the real world - when they consider them to be relevant and purposeful. We will introduce new learning frameworks with a rigorous, global focus. In 2013 the study of Chinese (Mandarin) will be introduced in our Early Years Program. The School will also establish outward-bound, cross cultural exchanges for students and teachers. In 2014 the School will introduce the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for students in Years 6 and 7 to provide these students with the necessary tool set for senior study, regardless of their choice of the International Baccalaureate Diploma or Higher School Certificate credentialing pathway. We will integrate the administration of our co-curricular offering to provide students with improved coordination of activities and programs, with consistent enrolment processes and to maximise opportunities for girls to participate in the extensive student life of the School. Technology is ever-present in our lives today and we acknowledge its importance not only as an innovator in program design, but also as an enabler in the delivery of contemporary learning programs. The School s IT Pedagogy team will continue to develop programs to heighten interactive multimedia skills for students in their learning, and as part of ongoing staff professional development. NEW HORIZONS 9

10 Senior School Campus Re-design Responding to needs articulated by our students, over the next three to five years we will construct Phase 1 of the Senior Campus re-design. This will benefit girls studying in the Middle and Senior Years Programs. The design includes the development of new learning spaces, a social centre affectionately called The Heart for the school community and a Precinct areas for spiritual reflection, community celebration, individual and collaborative performance and exhibition showcasing. The Heart will have a collaborative focus, it will offer a community café, and will be a place for all the MLC School Community to belong socialising, researching, informing, belonging, and studying for enjoyment, the latter being an important aspect of learning. Adjacent to The Heart, and to capture our imagination, we will develop the Precinct to house an expanded Chapel, indoor and outdoor performance spaces, exhibition galleries and social gathering places. To support our learning philosophy, new learning spaces will be called Learning Clusters. Each will contain light, comfortable, flexible and agile spaces for collaborative and individual or contemplative tasks, being equipped with technologically appropriate and multi-media equipment, relevant learning tools, shared staff areas, amenities and a kitchen. Learning Clusters will support the School s vision to establish learning communities that not only provide a gathering place or home for pastoral groupings and year levels, but facilitate the development of challenging and relevant curricula for girls to engage in their learning to interact, imagine, multi-task, focus, collaborate, create and innovate. Concept only 10

11 The Heart A place to belong NEW HORIZONS 11

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13 The Precinct Awakening the senses NEW HORIZONS 13

14 Dimension 2: PEOPLE To bring out the best in every student, we renew our commitment to an organisational culture which is student-focused where the relationship between the student and the teacher is one of mutual respect and where the sharing of common values shapes and enhances learning. Our pursuit of excellence in all we do requires an ongoing focus and commitment to attracting, developing and retaining high quality people, leaders and teams who not only know their roles but who deliver on their key accountabilities to achieve success. We acknowledge that forward-thinking organisations thrive when a collaborative, creative and innovative culture is prized. We will renew our engagement with our Old Girls, families and friends of MLC School to build on these aspirations to enhance the experience for our students and strengthen the School overall. Two Strategic Priorities 1. Unrivalled experiences We embrace a collaborative and creative culture because creative thinkers pioneer new ideas and new ideas fuel unrivalled experiences. Viewing everything we do through the lens of our community is our aim and establishing benchmarks for gauging continuous improvement in our operational and learning environments is important to the success of New Horizons. We wish to explore ways to ensure that what we offer at every level, from the time a prospective parent contacts the School to the way we relate to our parent community, or the potential to build on the great experiences encountered by students, is maximised for the benefit of all. 2. Whole school focus Students feel a sense of belonging when they are empowered to be part of a larger shared experience and benefit from the connections that result from being an integral part of a much larger whole. Learning from peers across age barriers is a powerful conduit to both aspiration and possibility. We will introduce an annual Festival of Learning, where all students share and exhibit their learning across the whole School inviting the extended community in celebration. Early years - Pre Kindergarten 14

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17 Dimension 3: PARTNERSHIPS One of the aims of the Partnerships dimension of New Horizons is to foster social responsibility in our young women and provide them with meaningful opportunities to engage in a passion and purpose for living. Continuing to build sustainable partnerships that support this aspiration reinforces the values that we share and hold true and provides connections for our students outside the classroom. We will judiciously identify, select, and maximise benefits from every partnership. We remain open to new opportunities and externally-led initiatives but will only enter into those partnerships that align to our strategic design and which will deliver tangible and significant benefits for our students. We remain focused on responsible stewardship in overseeing the long-term financial viability of the School and continually examine alternatives to make an MLC School education available to a broad and diverse community. Two Strategic Priorities 1. Serving Humanity Helping our students to find their passion and purpose for living through serving humanity will be our focus. We will encourage the development of liberally minded, morally courageous and compassionate students. To achieve this, we aim to explore opportunities for students to nurture an ethos of social responsibility. This outreach will be local, national and global. 2. Stewardship of finite resources The School continues to finesse its master plan to enhance the learning environment and improve its physical space. We will develop a philanthropic culture in the School community to build connections and encourage wider participation in, and ownership of, our strategic design. To best attract students to the School we must stay competitive, not just in the types of programs we offer, but in the technological innovations we incorporate to enable the learning, and the physical spaces that we create to engage students in this important job of preparing our young women to have the competencies of global citizens in this 21st century. NEW HORIZONS 17

18 Demonstrate integrity Engagem Live with humility Pursue excellen RespectBe open minded and principled Honour our uniqueness Embrace world citizenship 18

19 ent Be curious for knowledge Bold actions ce Be collaborative learners Celebrate diversity Fearless thinking Show moral courage Wisdom New Horizons is dedicated to our students, the architects of tomorrow s world who learn in our school today. NEW HORIZONS 19

20 NEW HORIZONS Rowley Street Burwood NSW 2134 Tel Fax CRICOS No D A UNITING CHURCH DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, PRE-KINDER TO YEAR 12