Tiverton Campus ’09
Deputy Principal Taking over the Deputy Principal’s role after Brother Bill’s departure has given me further opportunities to appreciate the depth and breadth of talent and commitment in the De La Salle community. As Peter Riordan and I planned how we would operate together, it became clear that my role in the Deputy Principal position would have a particular focus on curriculum development. The Deputy Principal would also be the executive officer for the School Improvement Framework (SIF) which commenced in Term 3. The SIF is the process by which non-government schools undertake a review with the registration body (VRQA) once every four years. We are actually quite excited by the SIF, because we believe the process used will not only confirm what we are doing well, but provide the basis for improving what we can do even better. It aims to assist schools and teachers achieve improved student learning outcomes. It is focused on evidence of achievement of measurable aims and how these might be better achieved in the future. The SIF work in 2009 involved quite a lot of training for the Leadership Executive and staff of the school, as well as administering the school climate surveys to all staff, plus random samples of parents and students. We have also commenced gathering data to analyse the success of our programs and procedures.
The actual review will be in terms one and two next year, during which time we will prepare our evaluations and plans to present to the externally appointed expert reviewers in May. Their report will provide the basis for the development of a four-year School Improvement Plan, as well as Annual Action Plans. One of the most rewarding parts of the Deputy role is to witness and engage with students in such a wide range of achievements. Our School and Campus Assemblies have continued to celebrate outstanding achievements across a huge range of activities including academic, cultural, sporting, and social justice achievements. One of the challenges for whole school assemblies and liturgies is not just fitting 1400 people into the gymnasium, but enabling all the audience to be engaged. An initiative to support this in 2009 was the improvement of the visual media by using camera vision onto the projection screens so all in the audience could see fine detail. My particular thanks must go to the Heads of Campus, Mr John McAlroy at Tiverton, and Mrs Sally Buick at Kinnoull, for their outstanding dedication and work for the students. Thanks also to the often unsung heroes, the various school officers working in the two campus offices and the Health Centre. They are often the first face of the school administration to students, parents and visitors. Their calmness, efficiency and friendliness is not always acknowledged although it is invariably appreciated. Mr Stephen Young Deputy Principal
10
One busy year draws to a close and a new year of continued challenge and opportunity beckons. Whilst it would be all too easy too focus on developing further the improvements and achievements of 2009, it is important that we stop to reflect on and celebrate the moment. The year began under the inspiring leadership of Brother Bill Firman, and ends with Mr Peter Riordan in the position of Principal. The year began with 200 Year 9 students enrolled for their final journeys at Tiverton: these same boys now find themselves preparing for the next important chapter of their formative years at Kinnoull, taking the knowledge, memories and experiences of Tiverton with them. We celebrate the senior students of our campus and wish them all the best of luck for the transition to senior school. De La Salle is all about getting involved, extending oneself in partnership with others, and having fun along the way. As you peruse this issue of Blue and Gold, it is difficult not to be impressed by the volume and variety of activity that has occurred throughout 2009. Then again, this is what one should expect from a Lasallian school. Last year the Tiverton students raised just under $40,000 for Mission Action Day — this year, in difficult times, it was just on $45,000. This is an incredible achievement, and all students and parents should be congratulated for
