School Improvement Framework

As you know this year was our 'review year' of our School Improvement Framework cycle. This involved us compiling an extensive Self Reflection Report revolving around the five spheres of schooling: Religious Education, Leadership and Management, Learning and Teaching, Student Wellbeing and Community. We also needed to provide an exhaustive evidence based document to illustrate the schools compliance with the required standards of registration (which was, as expected, achieved successfully).

You would have recalled that earlier this term, our External Reviewers, Mr Graham Luck and Annette Broadfoot were onsite over the course of three days observing how our school operated under the five spheres. They met with Fr John, all staff, groups of children along with a parent cohort to to develop a picture of the life of our school and add meaning to the copious amounts of data presented in our Self Reflection Report. Both were highly impressed with the welcoming nature of our school, our beautifully presented learning environments and of course our wonderful children.

Just recently we received the Final Report so I thought it timely to present to you the 'external' findings in relation to our strengths and recommendations for the future:

Strengths

Corpus Christi School has demonstrated consistently high scores in both the SIS Organisational Climate Aggregate Index (88.1) and Teaching Climate Aggregate Index (92.2), consistent with improvements initiated through the implementation of the Catholic Performance and Development Culture
Intervention approaches to support students across the learning curriculum were seen by staff and parents as being effective
The school has planned and delivered a range of initiatives to enhance linkage with families to create effective learning partnerships
A consistent focus on improving learning has been evident, particularly with improvement in student outcomes in reading
Effective support for students with additional learning needs, including support by specialist staff and Learning Support Officers, was highlighted by parents and teachers
Whole school planning documentation, including the consistent use of 'effect size templates' (to determine how effective the teacher has been)
A strongly focused teacher inquiry model delivered and supported through the Professional Learning Team model.

Opportunities:

A future opportunity may be to increase engagement with external networks.
Structures and processes already in place have demonstrated the organisational resilience of the school. Future development of (middle level) leadership skills will enable the school to adapt to future change.
The further development of social justice may be supported through a purposeful investigation of the objectives of Catholic Social Teaching, supported by school level activity for teachers and students.
A focus on effective teaching practice and planning to further extend high performing students through planned differentiation.
There is an opportunity to focus on enhancing students’ understanding of stimulating learning and teachers to engage with student feedback on their teaching practice.

Over the remainder of this year we, as a staff, will further unpack these recommendations and develop our new School Improvement Plan along with our Annual Action Plan to document what this looks like and sounds like in real terms.

Annual Review Meetings

Also in line with our School Improvement Plan and as part of of our Developing and Sustaining a Performance Development Culture existence, next week we commence our Staff Annual Review Meetings. Here each staff member and I will engage in dialogue around their own personal learning plan. It is a data driven conversation where we can celebrate all those little (and big) achievements across the year and put learning goals and associated plans in place where together we can make each, the best teacher they can be.

To facilitate these opportunities, teachers will be released and replaced at different times throughout the day across the next few weeks.

Year 5/6 Kanga Cricket

In Term One our Year 5/6 students competed in the Kanga Cricket Gala Day. Our boys team was successful and have now been invited to compete in the Inner West Metro Final next Tuesday 26th November, at McIvor Reserve, Yarraville.

We wish them all the very best and trust they will represent our school with pride.

ABC Music Concerts

If you haven't already marked theses dates in your diary, I thought I'd remind you of our upcoming Keyboard and Guitar Concerts presented by children participating in our ABC Music Program. Details are as follows:

Guitar Concert: Monday 2nd December @ 2:30pm

Keyboard Concert: Wednesday 4th December @ 2:30pm

Transition Program

Our transition sessions have continued this week and there has certainly been a buzz of excitement between children as they experience their soon to be class groups.

Our Year Prep 2020 children had their third and final session today where they met their teacher. They certainly settled straight into school life and looked like they have been coming here for years.

They also had the opportunity to meet and work with their Year 5/6 Buddy. It was certainly an exciting time for all ( I think our senior Buddies were more excited!)

Next Monday our Year 6 children will get to take part in a Transition to Year 7 Program: A transition opportunity developed and organised by our Western Zone Wellbeing Team along with our neighbouring Catholic Schools. On this day students will form groups with students from their 2020 Secondary College and will have an opportunity to get to know each other as they take part in various activities. It will be a great chance for the students to meet and greet and ask any burning questions they may have about secondary school.

Have a wonderful week

God Bless

Anthony Hyde

(Principal)

Community News

Simonds Catholic College

St Aloysius College