STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2018
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MISSION AND VISION St Joseph s School is a Catholic co-educational day and boarding school in the tradition of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Joseph, where faith, hope and love are hallmarks of learning and pastoral care. St Joseph s School provides quality learning programs for students from Reception to Year 12, welcoming families from all faith backgrounds and cultures. St Joseph s School endeavours to be a community that engages learners in a safe, ordered and caring environment, inviting students and families into a deeper understanding and relationship with God and the Church. Vision Statement St Joseph s School is a holistic, nurturing Catholic school living the Josephite tradition of justice, compassion and hospitality, igniting a love of learning. are challenged to excel and become confident, respectful contributors to global society. Values The School s motto In all things love, reflects the values and teachings at the heart of the Gospel. Our vision is lived out through the core values of faith, hope, love for self and others, and respect for property and the environment. CONTEXT Port Lincoln has a population of approximately 15,000. Its demographic is mixed. The economy is based on farming and fishing, with Port Lincoln being home to Australia s largest commercial fishing fleet, but the school demographic draws from varied employment backgrounds and a broad socio-economic strata. St Joseph s offers a Catholic Christian education to families throughout the Eyre Peninsula. St Joseph s School was established in 1874 by the Sisters of St Joseph and is conducted in the spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. St Joseph's School is one of 13 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Port Pirie, and is situated in the city of Port Lincoln. The school has approximately 720 students across Reception to Year 12. Our boarding facilities enable families in the more remote parts of Eyre Peninsula and beyond, to access a quality Secondary education while still being close enough for students to participate in their local communities. The boarding facility has a capacity of 40 plus boarders and is coeducational. 2
BENCHMARK DATA SCHOOL PROFILE DATA Enrolments over recent years have fluctuated in the low 700s. The 2016 enrolment stands at 719, and a challenge for St Joseph s School is to maintain and grow enrolments in a competitive environment. Enrolment reflects an approximate split of 60% in primary (R-7) and 40% secondary (8-12). There are 58 teaching staff, some of whom are part time. The full-time equivalent staffing at the school is approximately 50. Less than 1% of the student cohort is indigenous. Approximately 1% of students are funded for a learning disability, although many more are supported for learning difficulties that do not attract additional funding, such as dyslexia. Approximately 10% of our families access School Card, and a range of other fee remissions are granted to support families in need. GOVERNANCE A Board, comprising the local Parish Priest as its President and a parent as the Chairperson, governs St Joseph s School. Other parents, staff and parish representatives all form the Board. One of the goals of this Strategic Plan is to form and sustain sub committees for Finance, Strategic Planning and Community Relations, to support the work of the Board and contribute to the growth of the school. The school is run by the Principal, appointed by the Bishop of Port Pirie and the Director of Catholic Education in the Port Pirie Diocese. SCHOOL PERCEPTION DATA Perception data is largely collected through surveys and parent and student forums. Additional staff and community data was collected in mid 2015 to determine what the school was looking for in a new Principal, and following the appointment of Dr Sandra Hewson in Term 4 meetings were held with all members of staff, students and parents to assist in the shaping of the new Strategic Plan. Data indicates that, in general, the community is happy with St Joseph s School. It is consistently described as a happy, friendly, caring and safe learning environment where students are encouraged and supported to do their best. The community acknowledges improvements and additions to the teaching and learning facilities, particularly with the opening of the Sr Joan Barry Junior Primary Outdoor Learning Space and the St Joseph the Worker Trades Skills Centre in 2015. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATA Indicators of student achievement include Early Years Assessment, NAPLAN and SACE, but these scores form only part of the assessment of learning data that is collected by teachers and used to inform learning programs. 3
The following NAPLAN and SACE data are included as benchmark data in order to measure and evaluate goals and achievements in the Strategic Plan. 2015 SPELLING GRAMMAR & WRITING READING NUMERACY PUNCTUATION Year 3 93% 98% 98% 90% 98% Year 5 100% 96% 92% 100% 100% Year 7 96% 98% 96% 100% 100% Year 9 97% 97% 82% 99% 99% School Mean Score and Standard Deviation Year 3 2015 2015 Aspect All Mean All Standard Male Mean Male Standard Female Mean Female Standard Reading 411.2 87.5 379.7 81.3 435.9 85.8 Writing 384.8 60.5 350.4 68.3 410.5 38.1 Spelling 370.9 78.3 332.0 63.6 400.1 76.5 Punctuation 411.9 87.9 366.0 80.9 446.3 77.9 & Grammar Numeracy 383.6 64.5 384.4 64.3 383.1 66.1 School Mean Score and Standard Deviation Year 5 2015 2015 Aspect All Mean All Standard Male Mean Male Standard Female Mean Female Standard Reading 491.9 68.1 482.4 60.4 503.1 75.9 Writing 469.4 55.7 449.8 50.5 491.4 54.0 Spelling 492.4 61.8 482.6 58.7 503.5 64.5 Punctuation 494.5 59.6 482.1 68.5 508.5 45.1 & Grammar Numeracy 488.9 52.1 483.5 45.3 495.3 59.5 School Mean Score and Standard Deviation Year 7 2015 2015 Aspect All Mean All Standard Male Mean Male Standard Female Mean Female Standard Reading 545.3 56.5 559.5 56.5 537.0 55.7 Writing 515.5 54.5 502.6 35.9 523.4 62.6 Spelling 538.0 60.6 546.0 36.8 533.5 70.6 Punctuation 543.1 70.4 552.2 43.3 538.0 82.0 & Grammar Numeracy 539.4 52.6 553.2 56.0 532.0 49.9 School Mean Score and Standard Deviation Year 9 2015 2015 Aspect All Mean All Standard Male Mean Male Standard Female Mean Female Standard Reading 583.0 54.8 561.2 58.1 601.3 44.9 Writing 553.8 75.1 520.0 64.2 582.2 72.5 Spelling 583.9 62.1 567.5 59.2 597.2 62.0 Punctuation 578.1 63.0 573.1 61.1 582.2 65.0 & Grammar Numeracy 594.7 57.2 594.5 60.8 594.9 54.6 Analysis of Year 12 Results - Data extracted from Schools Data for 2015 A GRADE RESULTS SACE STAGE 2 2015 2015 28.2% A AND B GRADE RESULTS 78% STAGE 2 GRADE DISTRIBUTION 2015 A B C D E St Joseph s School 28.2% 48.8% 22.6% 0.4% 0% 4
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DOMAIN 1: CATHOLIC IDENTITY This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in expressing and witnessing our Catholic identity by bringing faith, life and culture together into a coherent synthesis. At the heart of the Catholic faith and our vision and mission as a Catholic School in the tradition of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Joseph, is the experience of God who is love. This underpins teaching, learning and pastoral care at St Joseph s School and is reflected in a commitment to strong partnership with the parish community, high quality Religious Education and fostering of social justice and ecological sustainability. GOALS STRATEGIES We express and witness our Catholic identity by reflecting theologically and doing theology together, and ensure that the Josephite vision and mission permeate the life of the school. Develop a structured approach to Catholic social teaching, outreach activities and charitable works aligned to the mission of the Church, and the local community context of our parish Support the initiation of Youth Masses and opportunities for students to attend termly liturgies and parish masses Provide professional learning opportunities for staff to develop an appreciation and practice of formal and informal prayer, contemporary and traditional prayer Provide educational programs and activities that focus on ecological and environmental sustainability Participation of the Principal in the network of Josephite Schools in South Australia Continued participation of Student Leaders and a staff member in the annual JJAMM experience We provide high quality Religious Education and faith formation opportunities for all members of the community. Develop a faith formation policy that is consistent with our context, but also aligns with faith formation goals of Catholic Education South Australia Develop a variety of faith formation approaches that complement and enhance the school s Religious Education Program Review and revise the Religious Education Program to reflect the updated curriculum of the Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) Crossways Religious Education Framework Develop a Retreat Team to plan and deliver a contemporary Retreat Program for students and staff 6
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DOMAIN 2: FOCUSED VISION AND GOALS This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in establishing a shared vision of Catholic education that focuses on an educational environment that resonates with students and their families both culturally and deeply. St Joseph s School is committed to gathering community feedback to inform strategic development. We seek to be futures oriented and responsive to the changing needs of the community and provision of schooling over time. A strategic plan that is in alignment with system priorities and government initiatives will inform the development of an annual School Improvement Plan and processes to evaluate achievement of annual goals. GOALS STRATEGIES We embrace the voice of students, parents, staff and the wider community to develop a shared vision for improvement, and keep improvement goals at the forefront of our strategic planning. Facilitate forums for students, parents and staff to provide ongoing feedback and further the vision for the School Create sub-committees reporting to the School Board to assist the school in working towards its goals: Strategic Planning Committee, Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee We provide regular and varied opportunities for consultation and communication to help us evaluate our achievements and inform future development. Implement annual student, staff and parent satisfaction surveys to gather data about achievement and suggestions for improvement Strengthen the Student Representative Council and other opportunities for student voice and leadership 8
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DOMAIN 3: STRONG LEADERSHIP This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in leading purposefully for sustained, high quality, student-centred school performance and a culture of practice of continuous improvement. St Joseph s School is committed to building leadership for learning and wellbeing. Effective leadership influences people to accomplish the mission, inspiring commitment to improvement and innovation. GOALS STRATEGIES We have an effective leadership structure, with a strong moral purpose, to lead improvement and innovation to enhance learning outcomes. Research best practice and implement a leadership structure that will actively support continuous school improvement in learning and wellbeing Review and further develop Student Leadership opportunities Develop a culture of distributed leadership to enhance decision-making across the school We are a purposeful, collaborative and reflective professional learning community that builds leadership capacity across the school. Develop a culture of reflective practice and targeted improvement through professional learning and effective use of staff meetings Provide internal and external opportunities for professional learning that build leadership capacity in current and future leaders Foster leadership of wellbeing through implementation of Mindmatters philosophies and practices Engage with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership to develop performance growth practices for teachers and school leaders 10
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DOMAIN 4: HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF ALL This domain addresses our Catholic school s deep belief that every student is capable of successful learning and that all staff and families have a shared responsibility for the learning and success of all students within a culture of continuous improvement. St Joseph s School is committed to a culture of high expectations, believing that everyone has the capacity to embrace opportunities for growth and development. and staff are supported in the maintenance of high standards and the pursuit of personal excellence. GOALS STRATEGIES We communicate clearly that learning and wellbeing are a shared responsibility and that we have high expectations of all. Newsletters, Parent Teacher Evenings and other forms of communication promote a shared responsibility for student achievement and wellbeing, with families integral to this mission Affirmation of achievement across multiple areas to encourage personal growth and a culture of learning Our teachers have shared responsibility and accountability for the care and successful learning of all students, particularly those with additional educational or pastoral needs. Student Review meetings are conducted regularly to identify students at risk and those needing additional challenge, with strategies negotiated with teachers, students, parents and outside agencies as necessary Families receive meaningful, effective and timely feedback on student progress Individual Education Plans are negotiated where appropriate for students, evaluated and updated regularly in consultation with teachers, students and families to ensure continued growth Opportunities for flexible pathways for students, including Vocational Education and Training, are extended and achievements shared and celebrated 12
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DOMAIN 5: HIGH QUALITY TEACHING AND LEARNING This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in providing high quality teaching and learning through the design, implementation and delivery of contemporary and engaging curriculum and educational practices. St Joseph s School is committed to high quality teaching and learning through inquiry and evidence-based practice. The curriculum is developed to be both developmentally appropriate and challenging and teachers design and evaluate learning intentions and outcomes based on research, achievement data and feedback. GOALS The school promotes a culture of teacher reflection, action and collaboration that results in timely and effective intervention to support student learning. Our teachers are experts in their field and receive ongoing feedback on their performance. Our students participate in challenging, rich and differentiated learning opportunities that engage them and promote deep learning. STRATEGIES Trial of R-12 Director of Teaching and Learning role (2016) to work with staff and focus on curriculum and timetable review, and professional standards for teachers Staff meetings and professional learning focus on evidence-based practice and inquiry to improve student learning outcomes Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI) is developed from R-7, and extended from ESO to classroom implementation Senior curriculum offerings are evaluated and timetable structures refined to promote effective achievement now an ATAR is calculated on 90 credits Teachers new to the SACE attend relevant PD and the school supports SACE teachers engaging in marking and moderation SACE Coordinator works with teachers on SACE feedback from moderation and Chief Assessor reports are used to inform improvements in curriculum design and assessment The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers are used as a framework for the development of teachers individual action plans A process of self-evaluation, peer and student evaluation is developed to support performance growth and annual appraisals Opportunities are developed within the curriculum for personalised learning Professional learning to enhance integration of digital technologies into engaging and contemporary learning programs The role of Indigenous Education Key Teacher is supported and developed to promote inclusion and an ATSI perspective in the curriculum Opportunities for engagement in Vocational Education and Training are explored and developed to provide a range of flexible learning pathways for senior students have opportunities to engage in cocurricular opportunities such as the Muroto Exchange Program, and overseas trips to China and Japan to promote inter-cultural understanding Research of best practice in middle schooling to develop a deep, engaging, integrated approach to teaching and learning for students in Years 7-9 14
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DOMAIN 6: EFFECTIVE USE OF DATA This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in gathering and interpreting data to identify strengths, challenges, trends, and patterns to assist in improving student outcomes and overall school performance. Whilst recognising the uniqueness of our school and community context, St Joseph s School is committed to analysing local data and feedback, and comparative state and benchmarking national data to inform continuous improvement. GOALS We identify a range of data to be used to inform strategic decision making We collect appropriate data for identified groups and use it in planning and evaluating improvement STRATEGIES Nominate review data for collection and analysis either on yearly basis or rotation: NAPLAN, Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), Early Years Assessment, SACE results, Running Reading Records, Levelled Literacy Intervention results, QuickSmart maths program results, student assessment data (report grades, test results), benchmarking surveys, exit interview data, enrolment data, records of adjustments made for students requiring learning support SACE results are analysed and teachers engage in strategies of continued SACE improvement PAT testing is implemented from Years 3-10 as a diagnostic tool to inform teaching and learning Professional learning on data analysis and how to use data e.g. NAPLAN to support student intervention Termly student review meetings conducted to share student achievement data and determine strategies for success Individual Learning Plans developed for all students requiring additional learning support NCCD (Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for with Disabilities) data collected and used to plan for student intervention 16
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DOMAIN 7: ORDERLY AND SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in creating a safe, respectful, tolerant and inclusive learning environment that is centred on the values of love, compassion, justice, reconciliation and hope, thus supporting and encouraging successful learning for all students. St Joseph s School is committed to wellbeing for learning, knowing that when students feel safe, included and supported, the conditions for learning are enhanced. GOALS Interactions between all members of the school community reflect a sense of justice, dignity and respect. School wide programs are in place to promote positive relationship building. STRATEGIES Review, revise and train staff in policies and practices: Code of Conduct, Protective Practices, Conflict Resolution, Creating and Maintaining Safe and Positive Work Environments Extend professional learning on Restorative Practices and include this approach as a foundation to a revised Behaviour Management and Personal Responsibility Policy Work with a newly formed Community Relations Committee to develop a Code of Conduct for families in use of social media and interactions with students, staff and the wider community Implement the MindUP Curriculum (Brain Focused Strategies for Learning and Living) from Reception to Year 6 Review and further develop the Child Protection Curriculum and the Made in the Image of God (MITIOG) Program Ensure a focus on wellbeing in the development of a new POR structure of leadership Professional learning and further implementation of Mindmatters to become registered as a Mindmatters school Use survey data to inform approaches to dealing with bullying and harassment 18
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DOMAIN 8: STRONG HOME, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school in engaging with our families, parish and community in its mission to be a dynamic faith community. St Joseph s School is committed to developing and maintaining a strong partnership with families by fostering a culture of welcome, inclusion and shared responsibility for student wellbeing and learning. GOALS Interactions with families and the wider community foster a culture of welcome, inclusion and shared responsibility for student wellbeing and learning Parents and families are active contributors to school decision making and planning processes that support student wellbeing and learning STRATEGIES Provide opportunities through Parent Information Nights, Parent Forums, Parent Teacher Conferences for parents to engage in learning conversations and shared responsibility for wellbeing and learning Develop a responsive website, and the use of SEQTA (Online Learning Environment) for communicating and engaging with parents Ensure timely responses to parent concerns and inquiries with clear avenues for communication about particular issues Invite parents and the wider community into regular coffee morning Conversations with the Principal Initiate committees supporting the work of the School Board, particularly the Community Relations Committee and Strategic Planning Committee to provide avenues for parent and community contribution to initiatives Seek input and feedback from parents through afore-mentioned initiatives into the development of policies for wellbeing and learning Develop a Positive Partnership Practices: Code of Conduct in consultation with parents and the Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities 20
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DOMAIN 9: EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION AND RESOURCING This domain addresses the effectiveness of our Catholic school to administer the school s human and physical resources, finances and infrastructure equitably to maximise student outcomes. St Joseph s School is committed to effective stewardship of resources, and to identifying areas for development to meet the needs of the school community. GOALS We plan effectively for future infrastructure needs which support student learning and stewardship of the school site. We plan effectively for future human resource needs including management, training, professional learning and succession of staff. STRATEGIES Amendment to plans, and completion of a new Boarding House to serve the needs of families on the Eyre Peninsula and beyond Improve signage around the school Explore and enhance Early Learning facilities participation in Supported Playgroup in Schools initiative through CESA Update MasterPlan for the future growth and development of infrastructure, to reflect planning for a Flexible Learning Senior Centre Develop fundraising avenues through Old Scholars organisation, and initiatives relevant to specific developments e.g. Mary MacKillop Spiritual Garden Continuously review current and projected enrolments to ensure efficient distribution of human resources to support learning Benchmark human resource provision and allocation against like schools Implement cost effective online process of professional learning related to WHS training Develop POR leadership structure for 2017 onwards and provide appropriate leadership training to build leadership and support succession planning Seek to bring more professional learning opportunities to staff in Port Lincoln, share and host professional learning opportunities through social media: Facebook, PLConnect 22
ST JOSEPH S SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2018 23