Holy Cross College Ryde Strategic Directions 2012 2015 The Priorities 2016 Annual Plan Priority 1: Catholic Life, Patrician Identity and Religious Education We believe in a loving creator God. We believe that Christ is our role model and the Gospel is our script. We seek to build a Patrician community of welcome and hospitality that reflects the work of the Spirit. Religious Education is at the heart of our mission and has an organisational priority. Priority 2: Pastoral Care We believe that all staff, parents and students are valued members of our community and are respected through genuine and honest relationships. Boys learn best and are happiest in a structured, organised and disciplined environment which is affirming and safe. Priority 3: Quality Teaching We believe that quality teaching requires the teacher to know each child as a learner. Teachers must cooperatively and collaboratively plan, design and implement teaching in accordance with that knowledge. Quality teaching has an uncompromising insistence on high standards. Priority 4: Quality Learning We believe that every student has the right and the capacity to learn and must be challenged and motivated to achieve his personal best and take responsibility for his learning. We believe in the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the diverse range of students' achievements. Priority 5: Finances, Resources and Facilities We believe in the responsible stewardship of finances which promotes appropriate distribution of funds to deliver quality educational facilities and resources. A professionally presented environment aids quality teaching and learning. Priority 6: Parents, Partnerships and Promotion We believe that quality Catholic education happens in partnership with
families and is the shared responsibility of the community. We believe that the College must engage parents to enhance the quality of learning and promote it to the wider community as a school of excellence. Priority 7: Strategic Leadership We believe that strategic leadership influences and empowers others to make decisions and take action in a planned, deliberate manner. We believe that considered risk taking and transparent evaluation leads to creative and innovative solutions to challenges that enable incremental improvements in Holy Cross College as a school of excellence. Priority 1: Catholic Life, Patrician Identity and Religious Education We believe in a loving creator God. We believe that Christ is our role model and the Gospel is our script. We seek to build a Patrician community of welcome and hospitality that reflects the work of the Spirit. Religious Education is at the heart of our mission and has an organisational priority. 1:1 (SRI: 1.3) Catholic Life Intention 1.1.1 RCIA program Identify, in collaboration with local parishes, opportunities for RCIA processes to be entered by cohorts of Holy Cross Students. Intention 1.1.2 Liturgical Life of the Community Promote the liturgical celebration of the Quasquicentennary of the College with mass at St Mary's Cathedral. Intention 1.1.2 Liturgical Life of the Community Plan, practice for and execute the Mass for the Quasquicentennary of the College at St Mary's Cathedral. Intention 1.1.3 Prayer Life of the Community Build on the strengths of the three year faith formation programme for staff that affirms and enlivens this dimension of College life. Intention 1.1.3 Prayer Life of the Community Deepen the connections of all members of the community with the
College through various celebrations to be held as part of our Quasquicentennary year. Intention 1.1.5 Youth Ministry and Social Justice Initiatives Embed the recently enlivened Youth Ministry and Social Justice aspects of College life. 1:2 (SRI: 1.4) Parish Links Intention 1.2.1 Utilise the Established Parish Connections to Link Students to Parish Investigate opportunities for Stage 5 students to be more regularly involved in local parish life through various active ministries. 1:3 (SRI: 1.1) Patrician Identity Intention 1.3.3 Patrician Network Engage all Patrician schools in the Quasquicentennary of the College through their invitation to key celebrations throughout 2016. Priority 2: Pastoral Care We believe that all staff, parents and students are valued members of our community and are respected through genuine and honest relationships. Boys learn best and are happiest in a structured, organised and disciplined environment which is affirming and safe. 2:2 (SRI: 2.5) School Culture and Relationships Intention 2.2.1 Whole School Events Facilitate and bring to fruition the 12 months of planning for the College's Quasquicentennary with a focus to connect generations. Intention 2.2.3 Role of the Homeroom (Pastoral) Teacher Implement, under the guidance of the Pastoral Care Team, a new pastoral care approach within the College. Intention 2.2.3 Role of the Homeroom (Pastoral) Teacher
Develop a new Pastoral Care framework that will be delivered by homeroom teachers with a focus on positive relationships. 2:4 (SRI: 2.2 & 4.3) Provide a Safe and Supportive Environment Intention 2.4.1 Year Meeting Agenda Implement changes to the daily routine to better support students and their punctuality. Priority 3: Quality Teaching We believe that quality teaching requires the teacher to know each child as a learner. Teachers must cooperatively and collaboratively plan, design and implement teaching in accordance with that knowledge. Quality teaching has an uncompromising insistence on high standards. 3:1 (SRI: 3.3) Staff Ownership of Teaching and Learning Intention 3.1.2 Integration of Classroom Practice Utilise the practice of "Collaborative Expertise" across all stages to assist teachers develop and implement collaborative teaching strategies and delivery, focusing on the Three Cs of differentiation in the classroom and utilising Pairs and Pods to assist the process. Delegation: Leader of Pedagogy Intention 3.1.2 Integration of Classroom Practice Build and embed a whole school narrative about ability based groupings with mixed ability classes. The whole school approach utilises 3Cs groupings (Consolidated, Core, Complex work standard) and projectbased learning to achieve differentiated learning outcomes. 3:2 (SRI: 3.7 & 4.2) Professional Development Intention 3.2.3 Data informed and Research based Pedagogical Practices Focus on mapping and embedding differentiation strategies (3Cs Consolidated, Core, Complex) across Programmes, Teaching and Learning, Assessment and Feedback. Intention 3.2.3 Data informed and Research based Pedagogical Practices Continue to develop the Explicit Teaching agenda and provide professional development opportunities that inform teachers of best
practice and allow time to develop teaching and learning strategies that enhance student outcomes. Intention 3.2.3 Data informed and Research based Pedagogical Practices Explore ways and means of aggregating school quantitative and qualitative data on student welfare and learning utilising contemporary Business Intelligence ICT tools. 3:4 (SRI: 3.1 & 3.4) Curriculum Design Intention 3.4.1 Literacy and Numeracy Development and Innovation Further develop and work with KLAs to embed both the Short Term and Long Term Writing plan into teaching programmes. Delegation: Leader of Pedagogy 3:5 (SRI: 3.3) Curriculum Delivery Intention 3.5.2 Expand Team teaching Repertoire Timetable grouped classes as per KLA requirements to provide opportunities and encourage team teaching and provide opportunities for appropriate student grouping across large groups. Intention 3.5.2 Expand Team teaching Repertoire Work collaboratively with the Teacher Librarian to reimagine the Teacher Librarian role with a focus on supporting and coaching collaborative teacher expertise. Priority 4: Quality Learning We believe that every student has the right and the capacity to learn and must be challenged and motivated to achieve his personal best and take responsibility for his learning. We believe in the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the diverse range of students' achievements. 4:1 (SRI: 3.2 & 3.5) Personalised Learning Intention 4.1.2 Opportunities for Appropriate Student Choice Identify opportunities in Stage 6 Catholic Studies for students to study areas of personal interest and develop personalised packages of work for assessment.
Intention 4.1.2 Opportunities for Appropriate Student Choice Liaise with teachers to adjust classroom teaching, homework and assessment tasks in order that students with different learning abilities. Intention 4.1.2 Opportunities for Appropriate Student Choice Embed a structure for differentiation (3Cs) in formal and informal assessment that aligns with the teaching and learning strategies in programmes. Ensure feedback is timely, constructive, relevant and individualised (differentiated) for the individual student. Intention 4.1.2 Opportunities for Appropriate Student Choice Identify and provide opportunities to teachers in developing differentiated Project Based Learning activities in a mixed ability classroom based on the 3Cs of differentiation. Delegation: Leader of Pedagogy 4:4 (SRI: 3.1) Collaborative Learning practices Intention 4.4.1 Project based Learning Provide opportunities for all KLA's to actively investigate opportunities to work collaboratively in cross curriculum contexts to create learning opportunities that are authentic and engage students in their learning. Intention 4.4.2 Peer sharing and Review Re launch the Pairs and Pods program through the formation of a Learning Committee and gazetted meeting times (in College Calendar). Focus on teacher collaboration, peer review and ongoing professional dialogue with the production of an artefact (video) for personal and group reflection and use in teacher accreditation. Intention 4.4.3 Collaborative Learning Develop differentiated programmes for Stage 5 Religious Education that encourage collaboration, student choice, writing improvement and address the needs of student engagement in Year 9. Intention 4.4.3
Collaborative Learning Develop and implement a Diverse Learning Centre timetable that provides support to students collaborative lessons particularly in the FLP. Intention 4.4.3 Collaborative Learning Provide advice and assistance on grouping strategies to staff running Collaborative lessons. Priority 6: Parents, Partnerships and Promotion We believe that quality Catholic education happens in partnership with families and is the shared responsibility of the community. We believe that the College must engage parents to enhance the quality of learning and promote it to the wider community as a school of excellence. 6:1 (SRI: 6.1) Parent Engagement Intention 6.1.1 Parents In Touch Forums Promote the parent engagement program at the College through presentation at major conferences in 2016. Share the learnings from these presentations with the parent body through Parents in Touch forums. 6:3 (SRI: 6.2 & 6.3) Public Profile Intention 6.3.1 Reputation Building Promote the College and its achievements through the variety of events connected to the Quasquicentennary celebrations of the College in 2016. 6:4 (SRI: 6.3) Working With External Organisations Intention 6.4.2 University Links Investigate the Indigenous mentoring programme at Sydney University and inform the Indigenous students at the College, enabling participation as appropriate. Priority 7: Strategic Leadership We believe that strategic leadership influences and empowers others to make
decisions and take action in a planned, deliberate manner. We believe that considered risk taking and transparent evaluation leads to creative and innovative solutions to challenges that enable incremental improvements in Holy Cross College as a school of excellence. 7:1 (SRI: 7.1) College Master Building Plan Intention 7.1.3 Refurbishment of Patrician Centenary Hall Complete the refurbishment of the College Patrician Centenary Hall as a budgetary priority. 7:2 (SRI: 3.6) Middle School Intention 7.2.4 Stage 4 to 5 Transition Continue process of re testing the Year 8 using Australian General Abilities Test prior to their transition to Year 9 to review progress and using all data available determine which students may need extra focus to keep them moving in a forward direction academically and pastorally. Intention 7.2.4 Stage 4 to 5 Transition Facilitate development in Stage 5 teaching and learning through the support of work by the Leader of Pedagogy in collaborative teacher expertise. 7:3 (SRI: 4.1 & 4.4 & 4.5) Creative Educational Leadership and Initiatives Intention 7.3.2 Administrative Structures and Processes Complete a review of the Administrative and other ancillary needs of the College and publish a schema of this. Intention 7.3.3 Teacher Capacity Building Develop an awareness of the "HCC BOSTES Accreditation and Maintenance" Google site that provides all teachers with the requirements of initial and on going accreditation and details of professional learning opportunities, as well as internal professional learning that teachers may use as Teacher Identified hours. Delegation: Executive Assistant 7:4 (SRI: 3.2 & 4.5) Addressing Catholic Systemic Education Agenda Intention 7.4.1
Gifted and Talented Education 1. Develop a program encompassing the various projects and activities currently in place at the College, and include the whole school teaching and learning approach of mixed ability classes which incorporate the 3Cs (Consolidated, Core and Complex) with appropriate grouping to enable identified high ability students to be sufficiently challenged to remain engaged in their learning and fulfil their potential. 2. To monitor ongoing progress of high ability students, develop Personal Plans in conjunction with their parents to ensure their learning needs are being met and there is sufficient opportunity for them to fulfil their potential. 3. To provide opportunities for enrichment, organise projects for identified Years 7 10 students in liaison with teaching staff and provide support as necessary. Intention 7.4.4 Beyond this Strategic Planning Familiarise the College community with the Sydney Catholic Schools strategic plan "New Horizons". Intention 7.4.4 Beyond this Strategic Planning Explore options for and develop an online strategic planning tool for 2017 2020 that aligns with the strategic intentions of the Sydney Catholic Schools strategic plan "New Horisons". Intention 7.4.4 Beyond this Strategic Planning Prepare for and execute a whole school Cyclic Review in partnership with Sydney Catholic Schools. Intention 7.4.4 Beyond this Strategic Planning Plan, conduct and publish report on a College Listening Assembly, involving student councillors, senior students, parents, staff and regional representatives from Sydney Catholic Schools. The purpose of the Listening Assembly is to gather views for the future direction of the College for its next strategic planning cycle. Report printed Friday 12th February, 116