A reflection on our 2021 school year…
In some ways this year took us by surprise. After the disruption of 2020 with the global pandemic our 2021 year started with much hope. The hope of being in community, the hope of teaching and learning onsite, the hope of gathering together as a faith community in prayer and liturgy. However it was not to be. We were once again faced with an uncertain world. Families were coping with unemployment, the pressure of working from home whilst homeschooling and pressure and anxiety around vaccination and their health outcomes. Staff were faced with the challenge of keeping their students engaged in an online platform and staying motivated and creative in their work. The children felt the challenges of being isolated from friends and having ready access to their teachers. In short, life was different once more.
This year taught us the importance of acceptance. We were taught patience and graciousness and we were reminded once more to trust in God.
Our community is to be commended. Parents, staff and students worked together to see each day as a blessing. We learnt to give thanks for our families, for the amazing technology that we have available to us so that we could continue to deliver a quality education and most importantly for each other. We took nothing for granted. We appreciated belonging to such a cohesive and life giving community.
This year we were reviewed by an external reviewer as part of our 4 year school improvement cycle.
The following strengths were identified:
The mission of St John the Baptist School is student centred and focused on formation of the whole child and community relationships. The school’s mission is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Catholic tradition and is embedded in all aspects of the school’s operation, driving decision making and supporting inclusive relationships.
A high performing leadership team has driven the school’s improvement agenda that is well understood and supported by all staff.
Embedded data analysis practices and enhanced staff capacity in analysing individual, cohort and whole school data, supports high quality teaching and learning. A wide range of student performance and wellbeing data is used to track student growth and achievement.
High levels of collaboration and teamwork, commitment to distributed instructional leadership and privileging of time for staff to work on strategic priorities have led to measurable growth in student’s learning and wellbeing, and a positive school culture.
The school maintains a respectful, safe, tolerant and inclusive learning environment, the key to which is the fostering of genuine and caring relationships, consistently applied behaviour management strategies, and a community in which everyone is known and valued.
The school’s vision and improvement plan are underpinned by a whole school professional learning plan that is research and data informed and driven by the school’s strategic needs. Staff value the support provided for sponsored further study, including study towards accreditation, and for their personal learning goals. Innovation and new ideas are welcomed and supported.
Effective and carefully planned change management practices take account of the school’s context, the needs of teachers and students and opportunities associated with system level programs, networks and professional learning.
As St John the Baptist School engages in the process of strategic thinking and planning, manifesting in the development of its School Improvement Plan for the next four years, the reviewer recommends that the school:
1. Further develops student self-efficacy and agency in their learning through explicit teaching and embedding of metacognitive and reflective strategies that support students to identify and articulate their learning goals and achievements, and the next steps in their learning.
2. Continues to enhance staff professional growth through teacher observation and feedback (peer, leadership and student feedback), mentoring and coaching.
3. Designs a contextualised, whole school, pedagogical framework with annual priorities that include high impact learning and teaching strategies. This could include metacognition and thinking routines, as well as transferable high impact practices from programs and system level initiatives that the school has implemented.
Child Safety has once again been a high priority for our school. During our Review process there was dedicated time given to our Child Safe Standards Compliance. We were deemed compliant against all 7 standards and the principle of inclusion. Our school’s Child Safe Practices have been developed under MACS (formally CEM), CECV and government guidelines. The school leadership team assumes the role of the Child Safety Team. Students have been consulted as part of their curriculum in regards to our child safe practices. Parents have been informed of our Child Safe Practices through the newsletter and school website. Resources provided from VRQA, DET and CECV have all informed and supported our child safe policy development. Policies have been contextualised at a school level and ratified by the school board. Ongoing professional development has been provided for school staff. The Parish established a Child Safeguarding Committee this year. As the Principal of the school I am part of this team to ensure consistency of our child safe practices across our school and parish.
Our Prep enrolments for 2022 are strong with a higher intake of Preps coming in than Year 6s exiting the school. We have a good reputation in our community which is testament to all our work. Together we are making a difference.
To everyone in our community I wish to extend a word of thanks for the support and commitment you offer to our school and the way you are such advocates for our school. We know that your belief in us as a school and the positive way you affirm our work has supported the strong reputation we have in the wider community.
Wishing you all a happy, safe and peace filled Christmas. I look forward to sharing all that is ahead for us in 2022. Our theme for next year will be “Seek to Understand.” I am confident that with God’s Grace when we seek to discover the best in others, we will also bring out the best in ourselves.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May he let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May he lift up his countenance upon you , and give you his peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
