LEARNLIVELEAD
Strategic Plan 2020-23
CONTENTS Principal’s Welcome
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Mission. Vision Philosophy. Values.
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Learn
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Live
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Lead
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Principal’s Address to Students
After an extensive refurbishment project in 2019 to the Tower Building, we are proud to offer eight contemporary new learning spaces for our students. This refurbishment reflects the stylish interior of the Holy Eucharist campus. Peter Houlihan Principal, De La Salle
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Principal’s Welcome
Welcome to De La Salle College’s Strategic Plan for 2020-23. After a program of several years of significant growth, development and innovation in our last Strategic Plan, we are now entering another very exciting chapter in our 107-year history. The Strategic Plan is laid out along the lines of the six key spheres: Learning and Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Education in Faith, Leadership and Management, Community and Facilities and Resources. The Strategic Goals and Operational Priorities are listed under the College’s Live.Learn.Lead theme. We have been very successful in driving positive change and innovation in recent years with particular emphasis on a raft of learning and teaching initiatives, and supporting students’ wellbeing and development as they progress through the school. The 2020-23 Strategic Plan is designed to build on our recent successes. Across the various spheres, staff will continue to educate our fine young men to become true 21st century learners and responsible citizens. Positive relationships, faith, respect, improvement, service and leadership are central to our ongoing development. The Strategic Plan is designed to drive a superior performance in all areas of the College. It diagnoses our competitive challenges, develops guiding operational goals to address these challenges and provides coherent actions to implement the Plan. With a strategic blend of tradition and innovation, De La Salle provides a contemporary education designed to equip our young men with the skills and mindset required to flourish in the 21st century. Upon entering the college in Year 5 or Year 7, our students
embark on an academic, social and spiritual journey through our three well-appointed campuses. In Years 5-8 the experience on our Tiverton Campus covers a thorough transition program which initiates students into the secondary school environment, builds organisation skills and instils independence and resilience. The academic program is rigorous and challenging, yet personalised to enable all learners to develop and progress at their own pace. Our Year 9 Holy Eucharist Campus in Malvern East offers a creative, innovative and engaging community where students take increased responsibility for their learning and explore their education through collaboration and inquiry. The unique and purpose-built curriculum builds the skills and attitudes required to progress to and thrive in the senior school. In Years 10-12 at Kinnoull students specialise in their learning, as a viable and successful pathway is mapped out for all. Through a tremendous variety of Year 10 electives and VCE options, including our Acceleration Program, VET and VCAL, De La Salle students find their niche and develop as learners and mature, responsible young men. De La Salle students are terrific young men of empathy and character, with a strong moral compass and keen sense of social justice. Our Catholic, Lasallian values prepare them to grow and contribute and the opportunities in sport, music, drama, faith, service and academics add up to a wonderful environment.
Peter Houlihan Principal 2020-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN | 3
Mission. De La Salle is a Catholic Boys’ College empowering students to LEARN to maximise their potential, LIVE the Lasallian values, and LEAD with passion and spirit.
Vision and Philosophy. Building on more than a century of tradition and innovation. We are an outstanding Lasallian school continuing to pursue innovation and academic excellence in a supportive human and Christian community. Our positive school environment best prepares our young men for the future by enabling them to discover their potential and mission in a community of faith. A Lasallian education prioritises service to people who are marginalised and in need, and emphasises respect for all.
Values. At De La Salle College, we are committed to our faith, our educational community and our spirit of service and compassion. Our Lasallian charism guides, nurtures, challenges and encourages all our endeavours. We value our role in the international Lasallian network and strive with meaning, relevance and creativity to deliver a quality education for our young men in a 21st century environment. We practice the five core principles as set forth by St John Baptist de La Salle: 1. Faith in the presence of God: We honour and respect the dignity of all individuals. 2. Inclusive community: Students and staff work together to develop curiosity, be creative, think critically and strive for personal best. 3. Concern for the poor and social justice: We celebrate diversity and welcome all members to our community. 4. Respect for all people: We are in solidarity with people experiencing social, economic and spiritual marginalisation and advocate for those without a voice. 5. Quality education: We believe in the living presence of God in our students, in our community and in our world.
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LEARN
• Provide personal development programs designed to encourage critical and deeper thinking about significant social, emotional, environmental and development issues and projects;
Leadership and Management: Vision and Values
• Foster student leadership across the College, through a commitment to wellbeing, learning, faith, co-curricular opportunities and social justice;
All members of staff at De La Salle College are supported, empowered and challenged to exercise leadership.
• Create opportunities for formal and informal mentoring of, by and for students;
• Encourage growth and challenge all leaders via professional learning, postgraduate study, coaching and mentoring. • Implementation of the Learning and Teaching Observations program.
Learning and Teaching: Empowering Young People Today Learning environments are designed to prioritise high academic expectations and build confidence. • Consolidate dynamic feedback and reporting systems that emphasise ongoing growth in students’ learning. • Encourage students to be technologically creative, confident and digitally responsible.
Education in Faith: Hope and Mission Religious Education engages students in reflective learning that will give meaning to their lives. • Look to the Horizons of Hope Religious Education Curriculum Framework provided by the Archdiocese of Melbourne. • Increase staff accreditation to teach in a Catholic school.
Wellbeing: Rights, Respect and Resilience Students at De La Salle are supported and encouraged to develop authentic voice and agency. They are valued and given opportunities for leadership and community involvement.
• Cultivate students who are able to utilise their strengths to be agents of change.
Community: Our Place in the Global Village Positive partnerships and collaborations with families and the wider community encourage a holistic learning environment. • Work with the community to broaden student pathways after Year 12. This includes school-based apprenticeships, local business, universities and TAFEs as well as international partners. • Strengthen the connection between the Parent Network, the Community and the College.
Facilities and Resources: People and Places The College will have a clearly recognisable staff culture an aspirational environment with consistency of expectations, standards and practice. A comprehensive Master Planning process supports our vision for innovative and contemporary learning environments, and is informed by academic and wellbeing priorities. • Create a detailed Human Resource strategy to recruit, retain and develop staff who embody the mission and vision of the College. • Continual evaluation of the design of contemporary learning spaces. • Identify priorities to optimise facilities and reimagine spaces to enhance learning and realise the College’s vision. • Employ current research and emphasise global imperatives in the design of physical resources, and impact on student learning.
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LIVE Leadership and Management: Vision and Values Demonstrate collaborative Catholic and Lasallian leadership to emphasise our contemporary vision based upon respect, strength and support. • Model leadership styles that are caring, supportive, empowering, fair and consistent.
Learning and Teaching: Empowering the Next Generation Students approach their learning with curiosity, prepared to take risks and responsibility, supported by quality teaching. • Further embed the College’s Learning and Teaching Protocols. (hyperlink in the digital format)
Education in Faith: Hope and Mission The dignity of the individual is enhanced through encounters that allow equitable access and opportunity in line with Catholic and Lasallian Mission. • Provide opportunities for participation in mission experiences such as local and global immersions as well as prayer, service and formation. • The expansion of the Social Justice Committee. • Inviting staff and students investing in their own faith journey, through reflections, retreats, masses and liturgies.
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Wellbeing: Rights, Respect and Resilience Work in meaningful partnerships with families to create an environment in which students are able to challenge themselves, build resilience and develop respectful relationships. • Continue the whole school adoption and implementation of the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program, provided through our partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Training. • Embed Positive Psychology at De La Salle. • Expand the implementation and application of Restorative Practices.
Community: Our Place in the Global Village Promote student, parent and Old Collegians’ active involvement in the Catholic Lasallian community, its traditions and its future. • Enhance the Old Collegians association. • Develop the Mothers of Former Students Association.
Facilities and Resources: People and Places Optimise facilities and reimagine spaces to enhance teams and realise the College’s vision. • Refurbish Duffy, Murdoch, PAC and Tiverton yard.
VCE Results 2016 - 2019
2016
2017 % over 40
2018 Median ATAR
2019 ATAR of 90+ 2020-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN | 7
LEAD Leadership and Management: Vision and Values Strengthen channels of communication, consultation and measures of accountability between all staff. • Develop a mentoring and coaching program. • Develop a culture where feedback is sought and used to enhance performance.
Learning and Teaching: Empowering the Next Generation Professional capacity of staff encompasses contemporary research into boys’ education and emphasises the connection between student wellbeing and the learning process. Increase involvement with tertiary bodies and other educational organisations that broaden the experiences of staff and students.
Education in Faith: Hope and Mission Engage all in our community to live the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching – dignity, the common good, solidarity and participation. • Apply the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching in a contemporary setting. • Expand existing connections with Parishes, the Community and House charities. • Provide opportunities for graduates to be involved in the Lasallian Volunteers Program and serve as Lasallian Youth Ministers.
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Wellbeing: Rights, Respect and Resilience Embed a culture of safety for all members of the College community via supportive and inclusive physical, social and emotional environments that are positive, consistent and underpinned by College policy. • Maintain accreditation with the Australian Childhood Foundation. • Enhance students’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities to foster safe environments. • Develop students to reflect on their own and others’ behavior and form positive and effective relationships to build community.
Community: Our Place in the Global Village Cultivate men of action with a lifelong commitment to social justice that inspires them to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged. • Increase the involvement of students in the improvement of sustainable practices within the College. • Recognise and grow establish links with the local indigenous community.
Facilities and Resources: People and Places Apply contemporary research and emphasise global imperatives in the design of physical resources, and teacher impact. • Test accepted and innovative approaches to classroom design: e.g. light, colour, furniture, climate control.
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Principal’s Address to Students The following is an excerpt from Peter Houlihan’s address to students at the Academic Awards Assembly on 21 February 2020. I would like to speak a little about leadership and related issues. At the very centre of strong, effective and successful leadership is a high level of respect – and as our Lasallian Guiding Principle says – Respect for all persons. I think all of us are well aware of the controversy surrounding boys’ schools at the moment, and this situation throws into a very stark light, a range of themes and issues for contemporary boys’ education and Catholic schools in general. This is where the critical importance of leadership comes to the fore. Leadership from staff and students, which is built on Respect, generates Respect and enhances our Lasallian culture of Respect. Boys’ schools are currently in the public eye, Catholic schools probably more so. The good news for us is, that our students largely represent yourselves, your family and your school very well in the public domain and understand the importance of that. I feel very strongly about this – I’m proud to be your Principal and it’s important I acknowledge and thank you for this positive manner in which you conduct yourselves. In the past three weeks alone, I have received five positive messages from the public in relation to terrific behaviour and good deeds on public transport and in the street. You have set a high standard and we expect each of you to be aware of your responsibilities in this area – be respectful and do what you know is the right thing. Again, each of must show leadership in this area and it is one of the challenges facing not just the students to be invested here today but for all our young men. As you will know by now, our 2020 College theme is Respect. That must be translated into practice, to mean respect for all in the community. Respect for your peers - all of them, Respect for your teachers and families and Respect for the traditions and values of our College. It is through respect we can help address the critically important social issue of respect for women and gender equity, and it is through respect we increase our understanding of - and reject - misogyny and associated behaviours.
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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land. And we pay our respects to the Elders both past and present, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal Australia.
At De La Salle, there is a terrific sense of brotherhood. This tradition exists among all who don the blue and gold, and I has always found this aspect of the College personally inspiring. Having strong family ties with the College and being here since beginning in Year 4 in 2012, it this sense of family that is unparalleled and inspires me as a leader. Andrew McGaw, School Captain 2020
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T: +613 9508 2100 www.delasalle.vic.edu.au
TIVERTON CAMPUS 1318 High Street, Malvern
HOLY EUCHARIST CAMPUS 1241 Dandenong Road, Malvern East
KINNOULL CAMPUS Northbrook Avenue, Malvern
