mackillop catholic college · introduction 2 school vision 3 school improvement 4 1. catholic...

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2017—2020

MacKillop Catholic College

Strateg ic Di rect ions 2017 -2020

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

School Vision 3

School Improvement 4

1. Catholic Culture and Ethos 5

2. Leadership 7

3. Learning Environment 9

4. Curriculum and Teaching 12

5. Student Learning and Achievement 13

Strateg ic Di rect ions 2017 -2020 Page 1

Great leaps forward

This document replaces the Strategic Directions 2012-16 while

acknowledging the great leaps forward MacKillop Catholic College

has made as a result of the previous Strategic Directions.

This document is the result of a consultation process that included

forums for staff, students, Board members, parents/guardians and

the Parish community.

The document takes into account the Archbishop of Hobart’s

2016 Charter for Catholic Schools and its four domains of Catholic

Identity, Learning, Leadership and Mission, with individual direct

references listed as [AC].

INTRODUCTION

Life isn’t fair, but good teaching and good schools are the best means we

have of overcoming disadvantage and opening doors of opportunity for

young people. - Prof. Stephen Dinham

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

The faith relationship is the alpha and omega of any Christian institution.

Our Catholic identity impels us to care for others. Our best expression of

this is in the pursuit of excellence as educators, in the fullest sense of the

word ‘educate’. Education is transformational and changes life

trajectories. Student success matters, as it has a big impact on future

salary, health, even length of life.

We want our students to be aspirational, to have a life-long love of

learning and to be compassionate human beings who have empathy,

especially to those most in need. This Strategic Directions document is

designed to help us achieve these goals.

Eamonn Pollard

Principal


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SCHOOL VISION

We, as a Christ-centred community inspired by the charism of Saint Mary

MacKillop and the Spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, are committed to a holistic

Catholic education in faith and hope and love.

MacKillop Catholic College is a co-educational Christian school in the Catholic

tradition and strives to develop a unique identity of faith, hope and love based on

the vision and person of Jesus Christ. As a community of students, parents,

guardians and staff working together towards common goals, we endeavour to

be welcoming, open to, and supportive of each other.

At MacKillop Catholic College, we aim to educate the whole person: spiritually,

intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and morally. We believe in the

importance of a broad curriculum suited to the needs, abilities and interests of

the students. We aim to provide encouragement and opportunity for each

student to reach excellence and to achieve to the best of his or her God-given

talents.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Since 2010, MacKillop Catholic College has been engaged in the school

improvement process—this is a process of ongoing development that builds on

strengths and addresses issues and needs in a strategic manner. The school

improvement process is:

School-based learning

Learning centred

Future oriented

The school improvement framework outlines essential components or domains

that the College reflects upon in the continuing journey of improvement. The five

domains include Catholic Culture and Ethos; Leadership; Learning Environment;

Curriculum and Teaching; and Student Learning and Achievement.

The MacKillop Catholic College community is confident that this Strategic Direction

document reflects our Catholic ethos and spirituality, giving each student the

opportunity to reach their potential in a learning environment that is authentically

enriched in the Catholic faith and Josephite and Edmund Rice traditions.

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1. CATHOLIC CULTURE AND ETHOS

1.1 Vision and Mission

GOAL Ensure that the unique Catholic identity of the College is

evident within relationships, educational programs and the

physical environment of the College [AC 1].

Strategy ► Ensure that Catholic Christian values inform decisions of all

aspects of College life.

1.2 Tradition

GOAL Promote opportunities for students and staff to connect with the

founding charisms networks and their connections to the

Church [AC 1,2].

Strategy ► Continue to identify and promote opportunities for staff and

students to attend faith formation conferences and retreats

provided by Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), the

Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools (AJASS)

and Tasmanian Catholic Education Office (TCEO) [AC 1].

GOAL Increase the opportunities for Eucharist in the College for all

students and staff [AC 1, 2].

Strategy ► Work with the local Parish to create more opportunities for

the College community to celebrate the Eucharist [AC 1, 2].

1.3 School Climate

GOAL Provide opportunities for students, staff and the wider College

community to celebrate and feel pride in the College’s identity [AC 1].

Strategies ► Explore and develop opportunities that will allow the wider College

community to become more deeply involved in the life of the College

[AC 1].

► Ensure all new staff and students receive an induction in the area

of Catholic identity, the charisms of the founding orders and College

traditions to gain an understanding of what it means to belong to the

College community [AC 1, 2].

1.4 Community

GOAL Create better parent/guardian engagement with the College

community [AC 1].

Strategy ► Provide opportunities for families to participate in College activities

that allow them to connect and engage with the College [AC 1].


GOAL Develop partnerships between families, the College and the Parish

in the spiritual formation and education of our young people [AC 1, 4].

Strategies ► Explore and develop opportunities that strengthen the links

between the Parish and College community [AC 1].

► Actively promote local, Archdiocesan and Parish faith and

community-based events [AC 1].

1.5 Spiritual Formation

GOAL Continue to provide opportunities for student and staff spiritual

growth.

Strategies ► Build capacity and confidence in staff to pray, so that general

and Tutor Prayer is meaningful for staff and students.

► Actively encourage participation in completing the Sacraments

of Initiation [AC 1, 4].

2. LEADERSHIP

2.1 Leading the Catholic School Community

GOAL Articulate and model a core set of values based on the Gospel, and

the Vision and Mission and Catholic Identity of the College [AC 1].

Strategy ► Professional learning in the area of leadership to have an

explicit focus on Christian leadership, where possible [AC 3].

2.2 Leading Self

GOAL Engage in ongoing leadership reflection and development in order

to influence others to develop leadership capacity of all staff and

students [AC 3].

Strategies ► Provide regular professional learning opportunities in the area of

leadership [AC 3].

► Continue to provide opportunities for staff and students to

apply leadership skills [AC 3].

2.3 Leading Others

GOAL Continue to engage and support staff in analysis,

interpretation, clear goal setting and evidence-based action for

improvement, using qualitative and quantitative strategies, in

relation to both student and school data.

Strategies ► Promote the use of student and peer feedback for

teachers, to enable them to differentiate effectively and

provide personalised learning opportunities [AC 2].

► Continue to provide 1-2-1 meetings for staff allowing the

review and formulation of goals.

► Investigate and implement a program that provides a

comprehensive framework for teacher and leadership review

and goal setting.


2.4 Leading Continuous Change

GOAL Ensure the School Improvement Planning process, including the

ongoing cycle of review and the implementation of the School

Improvement Plan, is up-to-date.

Strategy ► Continue to create and be accountable to annual plans which

reflect the priorities of the Archbishop’s Charter and Strategic

Plan and are within the structure of School Improvement [AC 1].

2.5 Leading the School Organisation

GOAL Demonstrate effective stewardship of finances, resources and

facilities which focus on meeting the learning needs and

accountability requirements.

Strategies ► Develop and implement a site master plan that promotes

student learning.

► Provide the College Board and Governing Council with

accurate and timely information, including financial, policy

development, risk management and school development for

decision making.

► Ensure the College is compliant with all legislative and

governing requirements.

3. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Student, Staff and Community Wellbeing

GOAL Develop and strengthen structures and processes to promote

collective responsibility and accountability for students and links

with high academic outcomes.

Strategies ► Review existing leadership structures to ensure positive

student/teacher relationships that promote student wellbeing

and academic excellence.

► Develop and communicate clear procedures and policies which

outline teachers’ accountability regarding student issues within the

College [AC 4].

► Continue to develop and refine the student/parent (or guardian)/

teacher goal-setting program and the personal development program

[AC 4].

3.2 Parent/Guardian-School Partnership

GOAL Work to create greater engagement with the parent/guardian

community to promote a shared responsibility for student outcomes.

Strategy ► Work to develop a culture that promotes shared responsibility

between staff, students and parents/guardians to help achieve the

highest academic outcomes for all members of the College community.


3.3 Student Engagement in Learning

GOAL Provide learning environments across the College which are

appropriately resourced, stimulating student curiosity,

inquiry, persistence and learning.

Strategy ► Investigate, consult and implement teaching pedagogies

that promote better use of the upgraded general learning

areas.

3.4 Positive Behaviours

GOAL Promote a whole College approach which supports positive

behaviour, ensuring an orderly, safe and pastorally

supportive environment for students and staff.

Strategy ► Review and refine existing positive behaviour program to

foster positive student/staff relationships.

4. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING

4.1 Quality Teaching

GOAL Provide staff with opportunities for reflection and discussion to

enhance the quality of teaching [AC 2].

Strategies ► Provide opportunities for staff to engage in professional

dialogue regarding programs in the College.

► Encourage and support opportunities for team teaching and

planning.

► Provide and encourage opportunities that allow staff to plan for

differentiated learning that is both developmentally appropriate

and challenging [AC 2].

4.2 Learning and Teaching Programs

GOAL Ensure teaching programs indicate clear expectations and

specific targets that are aligned to school priorities, curriculum

documents and student needs [AC 2].

Strategies ► Develop a culture and environment that encourages,

acknowledges and celebrates student academic excellence [AC 2].

► Implement a new Learning Management System.

4.3 Curriculum

GOAL Respond to national and state educational initiatives in curriculum

and pedagogy.

Strategies ► Continue to implement the Australian Curriculum.

► Explore learning models within the College and work towards

a collaborative approach to teaching and learning.


4.4 Religious Education

GOAL Maintain the priority of the Religious Education program within the

College [AC 2, 3].

Strategy ► Continue to implement and review Religious Education teaching,

learning experiences and assessments [AC 2, 3].

4.5 Staff Professional Learning

GOAL Promote a staff culture of continuous learning, inquiry and

improvement, accessing school-based and external professional

learning opportunities.

Strategy ► Develop staff professional learning plans that align College and

individual staff learning goals.

5. STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT

5.1 Student Achievement

GOAL Develop a culture that has high and explicit expectations for student

learning and celebrates academic achievement with the whole

College community.

Strategy ► Work with staff and students to raise expectations around student

engagement and work habits.

GOAL Provide an environment where each student has the opportunity to

reach his or her potential.

Strategy ► Continue to have processes and structures that focus on

personalised learning and personalised care [AC 2].

5.2 Assessment Reporting and Feedback

GOAL Develop efficient and manageable reporting cycles that inform

parents/guardians about student progress and achievement.

Strategy ► Investigate and explore opportunities to provide continuous

online reporting to parents/guardians.

5.3 Equity

GOAL Provide an inclusive culture that values all students, addresses

their needs and ensures educational, financial and resource

commitment to equity [AC 4].

Strategy ► Continue to develop and implement programs that re-engage

students with learning and promote improved academic outcomes

[AC 2].


MacKillop Catholic College

Goondi Street, Mornington, Tasmania 7018

PO Box 1068, Rosny Park, Tasmania 7018

Telephone +61 3 6245 0099 Facsimile +61 3 6245 0100

Email [email protected] Web www.mackillop.tas.edu.au

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mackillop.tas.edu.au

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