From the Principal
During the recent IGSSA Rowing Regatta hosted by the College at Champion Lakes, a graduate from the Class of 2023 asked ‘what the latest news was from the College’. After talking through some of the latest initiatives with her, it occurred to me that it was time to provide an update and celebrate the implementation of some those same initiatives. Particularly worth celebrating is the progress being made in relation to our key objective, Inspiring Educational Excellence.
For the benefit of those new to the College, our strategic intent for 2024 was unpacked as part of the parent information nights held to start the year. The focused intent identified for this year is specifically related to our broader College goals as detailed in our Strategic Plan which can be found on our website.
Strategic Goals to 2027
As detailed in our Strategic Plan, the College’s strategic goals to 2027 are:
- Enriching our Catholic Community of Faith
- Inspiring Educational Excellence
- Cura Personalis (Care for the Whole Person)
- Nurturing an Inclusive Community
- Sustainability
College 3-Year K-12 Learning Goal
To respond to the needs of students through effective student identification, tracking of student data and differentiated learning strategies to ensure learning growth.
To support the realisation of the College’s 3-Year Learning Goal, the newly developed Teacher Professional Growth Model has now been implemented. See link to the Model.
As part of the model, all Secondary School Learning Areas and the Primary School have developed specific and measurable objectives for 2024 designed to support the realisation of the College’s 3-Year Learning Goal. Most of the Secondary Heads of Learning and the Primary School have recently discussed their goals with me, and I am pleased to report that the conversations have been both fascinating and enriching. We are so blessed as a College to have such deep-thinking and passionate educators within our K-12 teaching faculty and are all looking forward to sharing the findings of each research area later in the year.
In addition to identifying areas of focus across Learning Areas, all K-12 teachers have developed their own professional learning goals, helping to frame their action research as part of the Teacher Professional Growth Model. To support our teachers, all K-12 middle and senior leaders have commenced their growth coaching training (their second session took place on Monday) which will help inform the series of coaching sessions designed to support teachers in realising their 2024 goals.
We are a College steeped in the Ignatian tradition of course and as Sarah Broscombe describes in What is Ignatian Leadership? ‘An Ignatian approach to good decision making in leadership involves more than calculating the benefits and losses entailed by different ways forward … It involves a commitment to listen carefully to the different motivations at work...’ and our new Professional Growth Model certainly provides the necessary framework for this exploration to occur. Exciting times indeed.
Finally, I extend my thanks to all of the parents who so generously donated to the staff morning tea this morning. Your contribution to our morning tea was greatly appreciated and resulted in just a little more spring in the step of our staff for the remainder of the day.
Daniel Mahon
Principal