strategic plan 2016 - 2018 - :: st joseph's school … plan 2016 - 2018.pdfin all things love...

STRATEGIC PLAN

2016 - 2018

In All Things Love St Joseph’s School Strategic Plan 2016 – 2018 1


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.

Students 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 co-

educational.


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.


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 &

PUNCTUATION

WRITING READING NUMERACY

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 Students

Mean

All Students

Standard

Male

Students

Mean

Male

Students

Standard

Female

Students

Mean

Female

Students

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

& Grammar

411.9 87.9 366.0 80.9 446.3 77.9

Numeracy 383.6 64.5 384.4 64.3 383.1 66.1



Mean

All Students

Standard

Male

Students

Mean

Male

Students

Standard

Female

Students

Mean

Female

Students

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

& Grammar

494.5 59.6 482.1 68.5 508.5 45.1

Numeracy 488.9 52.1 483.5 45.3 495.3 59.5



Mean

All Students

Standard

Male

Students

Mean

Male

Students

Standard

Female

Students

Mean

Female

Students

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

& Grammar

543.1 70.4 552.2 43.3 538.0 82.0

Numeracy 539.4 52.6 553.2 56.0 532.0 49.9



Mean

All Students

Standard

Male

Students

Mean

Male

Students

Standard

Female

Students

Mean

Female

Students

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

& Grammar

578.1 63.0 573.1 61.1 582.2 65.0

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

2015 2015

A GRADE RESULTS – SACE

STAGE 2

28.2% A AND B GRADE RESULTS

STAGE 2

78%

GRADE DISTRIBUTION 2015

A B C D E

St Joseph’s School 28.2% 48.8% 22.6% 0.4% 0%


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


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


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


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. Students 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


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 STRATEGIES

The school promotes a culture of teacher reflection,

action and collaboration that results in timely and

effective intervention to support student learning.

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

Our teachers are experts in their field and receive

ongoing feedback on their performance.

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

Our students participate in challenging, rich and

differentiated learning opportunities that engage

them and promote deep learning.

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

Students have opportunities to engage in co-

curricular 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


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 STRATEGIES

We identify a range of data to be used to inform

strategic decision making

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

We collect appropriate data for identified groups

and use it in planning and evaluating improvement

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 Students with Disabilities) data

collected and used to plan for student

intervention


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 STRATEGIES

Interactions between all members of the school

community reflect a sense of justice, dignity and

respect.

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

School wide programs are in place to promote

positive relationship building.

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


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 STRATEGIES

Interactions with families and the wider community

foster a culture of welcome, inclusion and shared

responsibility for student wellbeing and learning

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

Parents and families are active contributors to

school decision making and planning processes that

support student wellbeing and learning

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


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 STRATEGIES

We plan effectively for future infrastructure needs

which support student learning and stewardship of

the school site.

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

We plan effectively for future human resource needs

including management, training, professional

learning and succession of staff.

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


ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL

STRATEGIC PLAN 2016 - 2018

strategic plan 2016 - 2018 - :: st joseph's school … plan 2016 - 2018.pdfin all things love...

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