Principal's News

How will We Succeed? 

As part of our professional learning this term, we have focused on the CESL Cultural Covenant “How will we succeed?” We have worked through what it means for us and thought about how to bring it to life, in practice, in our school and in our classrooms.  To have real impact we need to move from principles to practices to observable outcomes.  

When looking at this covenant at the school level the covenant becomes the culture and operating rhythm of the school—not just a statement. 

In practice, at the school level, it impacts leadership – we need to continually model the covenant through trust, collaboration, inclusion and growth; and in decision-making that reflects shared purpose. 

The covenant is observable in our staff culture, in professional learning communities, for example, where staff can speak openly and challenge respectfully; and in classrooms where our staff take collective responsibility for every student.  

Time is prioritised for collaboration and reflection on classroom practices and our implementation of the Magnify suite of school improvement initiatives.  

The covenant leads us to ensure that student data is used with curiosity, and with a mindset for continual improvement. We ask what the data tells us, why that is the outcome and what it means for future teaching and learning. 

The “How will we succeed” covenant shapes how teaching happens and how relationships are formed. Teachers collaborate on planning and assessment and don’t work in isolation. Our classrooms are open for peer observation, drop-ins, coaching and shared practice. Classroom Mastery and StepLab are implemented so teachers can work on their own improvement goals. 

Our aim for students is that they feel safe, known, and valued, and that mistakes are treated as part of learning. This growth mindset culture develops resilience and the ‘what can I do to improve’ question. Students increasingly take responsibility for their learning outcomes. They are learning to be a willing participant in the feedback culture of the classroom where they receive constructive, timely feedback.  

The Impact of this covenant, as we continue to unpack it, implement it and live it in our daily practice, is increased student engagement, stronger relationships between students and teachers, improved learning outcomes through consistency and shared practice, and greater student confidence and willingness to take risks.  

Beyond the school, the covenant will also shape how the school partners with families, parishes, and the wider community. 

The CESL Cultural Covenant succeeds when it is seen in leadership behaviour, felt in classroom relationships, experienced by students and recognised by the community.

It moves from words on a page to a shared way of being, working, and learning together. 

As we wish our pre-service teachers, Arielle and Gurmeet, well for their further studies and contributions to our school community, our hope is that they have seen this covenant in action. We pursue success, in all its forms, as we work with the children in our care. 

Thank you for supporting us as we strive for ambitious outcomes. 

Jen McKillop 

(Principal)