St Catherine s School Strategic Plan Summary 2012-2016
Setting new goals We look forward to working with you in making our great school even better. It has been six years since we published our last strategic plan. In that time, we have realised many of our priorities, exceeding our goals in some areas. Today, our student numbers are strong, we enjoy academic, sporting and musical success and have a vibrant school community spanning many generations. As we seek to be the best we can be in all areas of endeavour, we are mindful that improvement is a continuous process. As such, in 2011 we consulted with our community of students, Old Girls, teachers, parents and friends to review our priorities for the years ahead. The result is our Strategic Plan 2012 2016, and this document summarises its major goals. We thank you for helping us shape our priorities for the next five years, and look forward to working with you in making our great school even better. Rev Tony Payne Chairman of Council Dr Julie Townsend Headmistress
What is our vision for a St Catherine s girl? And our mission? Our vision is that a St Catherine s girl is secure in her character, confident in her abilities, respectful in her manner, and equipped to make her unique contribution to the world. Within the context of our Christian faith, and in collaboration with our families, our mission is to: Provide a broad, challenging and vibrant education that calls forth the unique potential of each girl. Build a nurturing environment that enables each girl to form a network of rich relationships to support her now and into the future. Encourage each girl to embrace learning, think critically and act ethically. Give each girl opportunities to learn about Jesus Christ and consider her response to the Christian message. Prepare each girl for service and leadership in the local and global community. Make each girl s school days happy and purposeful.
Our Core Virtues Our vision and mission are underpinned by four core virtues integrity, respect, courage and service. Integrity Integrity is demonstrated through honesty, fair-mindedness and acting in accordance with sound ethical principles. The power of personal integrity enriches and strengthens our community, and ultimately our society. Respect Respect is the foundational principle of building and maintaining relationships, enabling us to treat others with consideration and dignity. Within our community, mutual care, respect and encouragement are fostered, and our diverse backgrounds, skills and contributions are celebrated. Courage Courage empowers us to make hard decisions, to show initiative and to stand up for what we believe in the face of difficulties. Courageous contributions build strength of character in the individual and make a positive difference to our community. Service Service is love in action, as shown to us in the person of Jesus. Considering the needs of others, with an attitude of compassion and generosity, enables us to develop our own sense of belonging while building connections with others. Service strengthens communities. We also recognise the importance of resilience and interdependence to a fulfilled and purposeful life, and strive to model and encourage these attributes: Resilience Resilience enables us to rebound from adversity with optimism for the future. It enables us to embrace challenges, value problem solving and persevere in difficult circumstances. By building strong relationships, practising self-control and showing forgiveness we can strengthen resilience in ourselves and others. Interdependence Interdependence recognises the potential of all individuals to make meaningful contributions to our community. Cooperative, constructive relationships are nurtured and collaboration is encouraged to enhance learning for all, and to enable effective participation in today s global society. Founded on Biblical wisdom, our core virtues are the model for our own actions and our interactions with each other as a community.
Our Key Priorities are: Our priorities are informed by our vision and mission, and drive our strategic direction. 1. Striving for excellence in learning. 2. Striving for excellence in teaching. 3. Proclaiming the Christian message. 4. Building an inclusive, multigenerational school community. 5. Providing world class facilities and infrastructure. 6. Ensuring financial and operational sustainability.
PRIORITY ONE Striving for excellence in learning To maximise each girl s learning outcomes through excellent academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs, for girls of different abilities and backgrounds, our key strategic priorities are to: Continue to offer a broad, challenging academic curriculum in line with our nonselective policy. Continue to differentiate for individual students through the curriculum, striving to ensure each student is challenged and rewarded for her effort. Strengthen the academic care structure to support development of the whole child so she is closely monitored, supported and guided through her school years. Continue to improve our extensive and inclusive co- and extra-curricular programs through opportunities in sport, music and service education, as well as through a comprehensive Beyond the Curriculum program. Implement Information and Communications Technology learning initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of learning. Enhance our global focus by developing in students sound information literacy skills, an international outlook and create opportunities to live and study abroad. We support the development of the whole child so she is closely monitored, supported and guided through her school years.
PRIORITY TWO Striving for excellence in teaching By enhancing teaching and support staff s partnerships, we contribute to the overall wellbeing and success of the school. To attract, retain and develop top quality teachers and support staff, our key strategic priorities are to: Develop a comprehensive staff development system, encompassing professional development, staff appraisal and performance management. Enhance teaching and support staff s sense of partnership, and increase understanding of the importance of each area to the overall wellbeing and success of the school. Develop clear Human Relations processes, including setting and managing expectations, measures for staff involvement and consultation.
PRIORITY THREE Proclaiming the Christian message To provide a clear and reasoned explanation of the Gospel to all members of the school community, our key strategic priorities are to: Continue to proclaim the Gospel corporately through school and community events. Employ, value and support all members of staff for the contribution they make to the school and for their support of the Christian character of the school, regardless of their personal convictions concerning Jesus Christ. Teach Biblical studies as an integral part of the curriculum to give students an understanding of the Bible as a foundational text, and its significance to world history and culture. Promote and support voluntary Christian groups for girls, staff and the school community. Work to ensure all areas of the school s academic and pastoral programs are consistent with the Christian foundation of the school. Encourage job applications from staff who have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, and who are able to contribute personally to the Christian character and purposes of the school. Through school and community events we will continue to proclaim the Gospel, demonstrating its relevance and application to moral character and purpose in life.
PRIORITY FOUR Building an inclusive multigenerational school community Continuing to develop strong ties and relationships with past, present and future students and families will retain the caring and vibrant atmosphere of the school. In building an inclusive multigenerational school community, our key strategic priorities are to: Maintain boarding at the heart of our community, ensuring a warm and caring boarding school to a capacity of 70 students from Australia and abroad. Retain the caring and vibrant atmosphere of the school through continuing to develop strong community ties and relationships with past, present and future students and families, with the Old Girls and with the Parents and Friends. Continue to resource and develop a first class museum and archives. Market the school locally, throughout New South Wales and internationally. Establish a culture of philanthropy to St Catherine s both in the current and past communities to support the school s growth.
PRIORITY FIVE Providing world-class facilities and infrastructure to support our aims In providing world-class facilities and infrastructure to support our aims, our key strategic priorities are to: Develop Information and Communications Technology infrastructure and systems to support the highest standards of teaching and learning, and full and comprehensive communication with the school community. Investigate the feasibility of preschool education and/or an Early Learning Centre. Set aside funds for land acquisition for future development. Our first priority is to build an integrated indoor pool, research centre and multi-purpose complex. As first priority, build an integrated indoor pool, research centre and multi-purpose complex. As second priority, build a Visual Arts and Technology complex.
PRIORITY SIX Ensuring financial and operational sustainability through careful stewardship To support the school s growth, we will continue ensuring financial management is efficient, effective and ethical. In ensuring financial and operational sustainability through careful stewardship, our key strategic priorities are to: Continue to ensure robust governance practices. Continue to review and monitor risk management policies and practices. Continue to ensure financial management is efficient, effective and ethical.
In setting our strategic priorities we entrust our way to God, mindful that In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Colossians 2:3
Headmistress Dr Julie Townsend BA (Hons) Cert Ed PhD MBA (Ed Ldship) MACE MACEL 26 Albion Street Waverley NSW 2024 Australia email stcaths@stcaths.nsw.edu.au web www.stcatherines.nsw.edu.au telephone +61 2 8305 6200 facsimile +61 2 9369 2470 ABN 98 012 260 068 CRICOS provider no 02322K