Deputy Principal's Update

Dear Friends,

The Friends’ School is committed to continuous improvement in student learning and wellbeing outcomes. Strong learning partnerships between our students, staff, and families are vital in supporting each student’s individual needs and development. As part of the School’s ongoing efforts to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, Year 5 to 12 students, parents and staff will be invited early next term to complete an online Community Survey.

Since 2014, Friends’ has undertaken a self-study survey with our community. This year, we have revised the survey questions to align with our strategic pillars: Culture, Wellbeing, Learning, Community, and Stewardship. The response scale has also been updated to a consistent five-point Likert scale. In addition, respondents will have the opportunity to provide free-text responses to selected questions. We are also seeking updated feedback on our catering services and school travel habits.

At Friends’, we do not view feedback as a mere formality; we see it as an essential cornerstone of our governance and planning. We use the information gathered through our school surveys to help us undertake informed investigations and, ultimately, make evidence-based decisions. Whether we are reviewing our pastoral care structures, refining our staffing models, or assessing our digital safety frameworks, your insights provide the on-the-ground perspective that helps us identify what is working well and where we have room to grow.

We take this process very seriously. Our strategic planning, including the management of risk and the development of our wellbeing policies, is designed to be dynamic and responsive. When you share your perspectives through our surveys, you are directly contributing to a cycle of continuous improvement. This data helps our leadership team to:

Identify areas for development: Highlighting gaps in our current programs or policies.
Validate our strengths: Understanding which initiatives are truly resonating with our students and families.
Target resources effectively: Ensuring that our time, effort, and funding are directed where they will have the most meaningful impact on student outcomes.

We are committed to transparency and to ensuring that our policies remain grounded in the lived experience of our community.

Once the surveys have been completed and the data analysed, we will share key findings and trends with our community. The information gathered through this survey is an important resource for informing the School’s planning and future priorities. Results will be collated by respondent group (e.g. students, staff, and parents) to provide a comprehensive picture of how our school is performing across all strategic pillar areas.

Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Director of Community Engagement, Bill Avery, or me.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in safeguarding and supporting our young people.

Yours faithfully,

Shaun O'Rourke - Deputy Principal