satisfaction

School Satisfaction

School satisfaction was measured in numerous ways.

Parent Satisfaction

Feedback from parents occurred through a number of sources, some formal and some informal. Parents were regularly encouraged to express concerns and provide feedback to the school about school related issues.

Use of an ‘Exit Survey’ given to families when they leave the school. This survey provides a clear indication of their satisfaction about the school.
In a number of less formal ways we also provide opportunities to gauge parent satisfaction through: Learning Conversations, Parent Information Nights, Parents and Friends Association, specific feedback to teachers and class carers.
The staff of Good Shepherd also try to maintain an ‘open door’ policy allowing parents to speak about concerns as soon as possible when they arise. Involvement in ‘Restorative Practices’ empowers parents as contributors to the problem solving process and in celebration of goals achieved.
In our Newsletter we also encouraged parents to raise concerns or questions about anything that is happening in the school. A school email address is in place, for the specific purpose of receiving comments and suggestions about any aspect of the school.
Feedback surveys were launched after a number of community events.

Staff Satisfaction

Staff are provided with a variety of opportunities to provide feedback about the school and to also share in decision making:

Consultation Committee. This committee is set up with regular time allocated for staff to provide feedback and raise school related issues that can be considered by management.
Conversations with senior management. These are scheduled and provide staff with the opportunity to provide feedback about the school in general and also in relation to their specific role within the staff structure.
Stage team review process continued in 2022.
Staff meetings also provide opportunity for staff to raise issues and concerns while also evaluating and giving feedback about specific school related issues.
Leadership staff are accessible to staff so that they can discuss concerns and provide feedback about school related matters as they arise.

Student Satisfaction

In addition to the ongoing Quality Schools Project goals, indicators of student’s satisfaction were derived from feedback from parents, students meetings, class meetings, class and individual approaches to the Principal regarding school related issues, issues that arise from time to time in counselling sessions with the Wellbeing Support worker and teacher observations.

In 2022 we facilitated a Leadership Forum with senior students during the first week of the school year. This event recognised the 'circle of influence' of students and invited them into the leadership opportunities before them. School staff leaders also met with the student leadership team to discuss issues of general wellbeing within the school student body. These discussions are very useful in helping staff gain a sense of student engagement and empowerment.

A systemic approach to support school improvement

Throughout the year, Lutheran Education SA, NT, WA (LESNW) continued to develop new health and strategic analysis tools for its schools. Good Shepherd implemented the LESNW Health Check Survey to gather broad data sets to inform the Strategic Planning process. The School's new Strategic Plan will be launched in Semester 1 2023.

Closing

I celebrate that our students continue to benefit from a high functioning, highly professional and extremely well-connected community. I give thanks that gratitude, trust and integrity are characteristics of Good Shepherd Lutheran School.

Solid momentum will maintain the School's ‘good to great’ journey and we acknowledge that this is a journey without end. We’re not ‘great’; thinking so would suggest all has been achieved and every relationship and interaction is without fault. Rather, we must be humble, acknowledge our vulnerabilities and continue to be active and connected as together we grow for LIFE.

David Wilksch