IMPROVEMENT PLAN 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 St Joseph's School is a Reception to Year 12 co-educational regional Catholic school that was established in 1874 by the Sisters of St Joseph and conducted in the spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The school provides a Catholic Christian education to families throughout Eyre Peninsula. There has been a long tradition of Boarding at St Joseph's, and new state of the art coeducational boarding facilities with capacity for 38 boarders from Year 8 upwards were opened in 2017. This enables 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 school has approximately 715 students across the Primary (R-6), Middle (7-9) and Senior (10-12) Years. The school acknowledges the dignity and uniqueness of each student and aims to provide all-round development in the intellectual, social, cultural, spiritual, moral and physical dimensions. Local, national and international charities and organisations are supported each year by the fundraising efforts of the students. Local organisations such as St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and Fred's Van are supported through Community Outreach and Social Justice activities by students each year. also participate in Spiritual Retreats. These Retreats help prepare students for Sacraments, or develop their relationships with each other and God. Liturgical celebrations occur at the beginning and end of the school year as well as throughout the year to commemorate our feast days. The school is well equipped with specialist facilities including a Gym, Performing Arts Centre for Music and Drama, Design and Technology Centre, Science Labs, Visual Arts facilities and Food and Hospitality areas. Our Resource Centre has become the hub for our ICT expansion and this upgrade provides greater access for all students in the school through both cabled and wireless network connections. A Bring Your Own Device Program from Years 7-Year 12 enables students to integrate ICTs into their curriculum and assessment to effectively enhance their learning. 2
In the Primary years, students are nurtured in a caring but challenging environment. A Key Literacy teacher and Inclusive Education Coordinator work closely with classroom teachers to support students in early intervention programmes as well as supporting staff to ensure that students are challenged to achieve their potential in all aspects of the curriculum. Beat Dyslexia, Quick-Smart Maths and fine and gross motor skills programs are run by Student Support staff for those students needing extra 1:1 assistance to optimise their learning. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is active within the school and provides opportunities for members of our community, as well as our Year 12 students to volunteer and work with students in the Primary years who require additional support. Specialist teachers teach Music and Physical Education in the Primary years, and in 2018, a specialist ICT teacher is working with students and teachers to develop computing skills in preparation for online assessment and learning. in R-3 study an integrated Studies of Asia program in preparation for Japanese language classes from Year 4. Seasons for Growth is conducted in the school to assist students to cope with loss which has occurred in their life. There is a School Counsellor on staff. In Years 7, 8 and 9, both facilities and programs reflect the needs of students in the Middle Years of schooling. The Pastoral Care program is responsive to the needs of adolescents and this culminates in the Rite Journey Program in Year 9. A variety of elective subjects caters to students needs and interests, with the recent introduction of Robotics and Computer Aided Design. The very popular ApPLe option (Applied Personalised Learning) enables students to design their own learning project, developing independent learning and research skills to set them up for success in the Senior Years. In the Senior Years, an extensive range of subjects enables students to pursue their pathway to SACE completion. An arrangement with Port Lincoln High School and Navigator College provides options for cross-school study to maximise subject options. The school enjoys a reputation for providing an excellent academic education and many students undertake further study at University or TAFE. Other teaching programs with Vocational Education and Training pathways, including Construction courses in our St Joseph the Worker Trades Skills Centre, are tailored to students seeking trade and industry qualifications. The school has both a Primary and Secondary Athletics carnival and students have opportunities to participate in interschool competitions in athletics and a variety of other sports. The school, in partnership with the local Yacht Club, has been very successful in school team sailing over many years. The Sailing Team has represented Australia in the Inter-dominion Competition against New Zealand in recent years, winning the school title in both 2011 and 2013. have been successful in winning the prestigious Australian Teams Racing Championship. The school has a strong instrumental music program, which includes both a stage and concert band. involved in these two bands have opportunities to perform at functions within both the school and local community. A major School Musical is performed every two years and is well supported and regarded within the local community. Each year students from Years 5 to 12 participate in a Camp Program. Opportunities to engage in bushwalking and outdoor education experiences, a visit to Canberra and overnight spiritual retreats are enjoyed by our students. In all year levels, the Student Representative Council is very active and time is invested into developing student leadership skills, especially for our senior students. 3
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BENCHMARK DATA SCHOOL PROFILE DATA Enrolments over recent years have been relatively stable in the low 700s. Port Lincoln has a total population of around 15,000 and a challenge for St Joseph s School is to maintain enrolments in an environment where there is choice for parents in both primary, secondary and R-12 education. From 2018, Year 7 students are being federally funded at secondary level, which supports the school s change some years ago to resource and teach Year 7 as secondary students in a middle school structure. The full time equivalent teaching staff is approximately 42, comprising 59 teachers. Approximately 2% of the student cohort is indigenous and about 1% have a language background other than English. Approximately 4% of the student cohort is funded for a disability or learning difficulty, although many more students are supported for learning difficulties that do not attract additional funding, such as dyslexia. Approximately 11% of families access School Card and a range of other fee remissions are granted to support low- income families. 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 school s improvement goals is to sustain the initiative to form 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 Principal is appointed by the Bishop of Port Pirie and the Director of Catholic Education in the Port Pirie Diocese. SCHOOL PERCEPTION DATA School perception data was collected in the second half of 2017 through student, parent and staff surveys. The school is consistently described as a happy, caring and friendly learning environment where students are encouraged and supported to achieve their best. Traditions such as Shake and Take, which build cross-age relationships, for example between Reception and Year 12 students, are valued. The community acknowledges and supports the school s efforts in striving for continuous improvement. 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 collected by teachers and used to inform learning programs. A higher than average percentage of students achieve their SACE through a variety of learning pathways. The school strives for 100% SACE completion each year and this was achieved in 2017. 5
The following NAPLAN and SACE data are included as benchmark data in order to measure and evaluate goals and achievements in the Strategic Plan. 2017 SPELLING GRAMMAR & WRITING READING NUMERACY PUNCTUATION Year 3 98% 92% 100% 96% 100% Year 5 98% 98% 91% 95% 100% Year 7 96% 92% 94% 98% 98% Year 9 96% 91% 92% 91% 98% School Score and Deviation Year 3 2017 2017 Aspect All All Male Male Female Reading 416.0 75.8 409.3 80.5 421.7 72.6 Writing 398.2 41.5 377.7 35.2 415.6 39.0 Spelling 394.0 76.5 372.7 73.4 412.1 75.6 Punctuation & Grammar 418.6 91.7 392.6 90.4 440.7 88.5 Numeracy 398.2 59.9 396.6 62.8 399.5 58.6 Female School Score and Deviation Year 5 2017 2017 Aspect All All Male Male Female Reading 486.0 47.9 494.9 51.2 479.3 45.2 Writing 490.3 88.9 472.6 116.4 503.7 59.7 Spelling 489.9 61.5 473.9 60.5 502.1 60.7 Punctuation & Grammar 489.7 59.5 470.6 64.5 504.2 52.0 Numeracy 445.7 47.8 414.3 40.3 469.6 38.8 Female School Score and Deviation Year 7 2017 2017 Aspect All All Male Male Female Reading 538.8 59.4 530.0 59.7 548.3 58.8 Writing 537.3 72.9 530.5 74.6 544.6 71.9 Spelling 543.9 65.3 539.5 64.7 548.7 66.9 Punctuation & Grammar 553.0 63.0 540.8 64.6 566.3 59.8 Numeracy 509.4 51.9 491.1 44.2 528.4 53.3 Female 6
School Score and Deviation Year 9 2017 2017 Aspect All All Male Male Female Reading 591.3 45.2 595.3 48.5 588.9 43.6 Writing 563.0 73.7 569.7 52.7 558.9 84.4 Spelling 569.9 62.6 572.8 69.2 568.3 59.4 Punctuation & Grammar 572.6 65.2 590.9 57.2 561.5 68.1 Numeracy 555.3 61.8 546.1 52.3 560.8 67.1 Female Comparative Analysis of Year 12 Results - Data extracted from Schools Data for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 A GRADE RESULTS SACE STAGE 2 2014 2015 2016 2017 St Joseph s School 17.34% 28.2% 21.40% 19% A and B GRADE RESULTS STAGE 2 2014 2015 2016 2017 St Joseph s School 73.67% 78% 71.9% 72.8% GRADE DISTRIBUTION 2017 A B C D E St Joseph s School 19.0% 53.8% 26.5% 0.9% 0 7
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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Actively promote and engage in activities to promote the Year of Youth. Bridge generations through initiatives inviting parishioners and old scholars into the school community. Provide regular opportunities for spiritual reflection and journaling for staff. Enhance the visible symbols of Catholic Identity around the school. Enhance teaching of Reconciliation with varied opportunities for students to engage in rites of reconciliation. 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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Conduct annual surveys using the Curtin University suite of tools for gathering feedback. Work with Catholic Education SA consultants and schools to align school improvement with CESA priorities. Enhance Student Voice through leadership development opportunities. Consolidate implementation of the sub-committees of the School Board. 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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Work with AITSL Resources and the Principals Australia Institute to build leadership capacity within the school. Support teachers to attend the CESA Aspiring Leaders course. Principal to participate in and implement cognitive coaching strategies. Further develop opportunities for Student Leadership across the school. 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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Articulate and make visible consistent and explicit expectations of learners and an effective learning environment. Continue to develop and celebrate a broad range of pathways for students to achieve success in their learning. Staff and students to develop strategic goals and engage in reflective evaluation. 10
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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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Action plans and feedback mechanisms reflect the Australian s for Teaching. All teachers to engage in either classroom observation or the Curtin University Classroom Climate Questionnaire feedback process. Implement processes for inquiry into classroom practices, and provide opportunities for sharing professional learning. Prepare for and successfully complete Self-Review and Verification of Meeting the s for ongoing registration as a school. 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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Analyse Early Years Assessment, NAPLAN, PAT and SACE data to implement strategies for, and measurement of improvement in learning outcomes. Participation in Curtin University School Organisation, Classroom Climate and What s Happening in our School surveys to inform the next Strategic Plan. Participate in CESA External Validation process to identify strengths and areas for improvement. 12
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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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Review and develop Pastoral Care programs across the school to enhance wellbeing. Update training for key staff in facilitating restorative conversations. Enhance professional learning opportunities for ESOs with a focus on working in teams. 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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Implement new Reporting Structure. Implement Learning Journey Evenings in Middle School to promote student ownership of learning. Provide workshops for parents on SEQTA to improve communication about student learning and wellbeing. 14
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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. SPECIFIC ACTIONS Complete new Master Plan. Begin development of a new Senior School Centre. Develop a business plan for an Early Learning Centre. Seek avenues of funding to build the St Joseph s Support Fund for families in need. 16
ST JOSEPH S SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2018 17