SAC News 

The 2024 School Advisory Council  (SAC) met for the first time on 20 February. 

This year’s SAC includes renewing members (Imogen Lewis, Michelle Murphy) and new members (Sam Mitchell, Laura Hill, Emma Newitt, Lucy McLean, Andrew Catterall), plus Daniella and Bern.

The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools organisation (MACS) that oversees the finances and governance of all Catholic schools in Melbourne defines the Terms of Reference and role of each school’s SAC. 

Our role is to support Daniella and Bern in the delivery of the school’s strategic plan, consult on major policies and help foster relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. parish,. parents and friends).

The 2024 SAC has inherited an outstanding Strategic Plan 2024-27 developed by Daniella and the previous SAC chaired by Michael Illot. This plan has seven pillars and nineteen initiatives and is available on the school website.

For 2024 the SAC has decided to prioritise eight initiatives, and has nominated members to take the ‘lead’ in supporting Daniella and Bern on each:

1. Create a culture of welcome and belonging for all members of the community
2. Safe and supportive learning space for all students
3. Greater focus on STEM
4. Lift student enrolments to 180
5. Maintain marketing and social media presence
6. Support teachers, staff and families to effectively partner and collaborate in student progress and growth
7. 2024 funding decision for school refurbishment
8. Strengthen connections with the Parish.

The SAC meets monthly and we will aim to provide a short update on one of the above priority initiatives in the monthly school newsletter.

In the meantime, if you would like to discuss the SAC, our role or the school’s strategic plan please feel free to contact any SAC member.

MACS Flourishing Learners Launch

Last week, the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic schools unveiled its new Vision for Instruction, emphasizing the use of explicit teaching methods as highlighted in a recent article in The Age on February 22, 2024. This initiative aligns seamlessly with St. Columba's steadfast commitment to evidence-based learning methodologies. At our school, we prioritize explicit instruction, ensuring students not only grasp the purpose and relevance of their learning but also understand its connection to existing knowledge and the criteria for success. This approach resonates with the ethos of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which underscores critical thinking, communication, research, self-management, and social skills across all grade levels to foster holistic development. 

Serving as the cornerstone of our pedagogical framework, explicit teaching provides clear, structured guidance that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey. By articulating learning objectives and offering step-by-step support, we cultivate confidence and self-efficacy in our students. Our approach integrates a diverse range of methodologies, including inquiry-based learning, hands-on exploration, and technology-enhanced instruction, all tailored to address varied learning needs and ensure consistency in the approach to foundational skills such as reading, maths, spelling, and inquiry across all grade levels. Through the implementation of evidence-based programs like Read Write Inc, Smart Spelling, Daily 5 & CAFE, Mindset Maths, and the PYP framework for inquiry, we have established a scaffolded approach that minimizes variance from teacher to teacher. 

Ultimately, at St. Columba's, explicit teaching characterises our dedication to excellence and equity in education, ensuring that all our students receive the necessary support to succeed academically and flourish as lifelong learners, in perfect alignment with MACS’ vision.