Strategic Direction 2023-2027

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

2023-2027

INTRODUCTION

Knox Grammar School’s Strategic Direction 2023-2027 has been developed over 12 months with enthusiastic and valuable contributions from staff, students, parents, alumni and School Council. The positive engagement and feedback provided by our community has highlighted confidence in our future as a leading school and excitement at the breadth of possibilities.

Through our process of consultation, we discovered clear alignment between families and staff that developing the whole person is key to an exceptional education. Central to this is our bespoke ‘Total Fitness Model’, which represents the holistic academic, social and emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of each individual in our School community. It is the sum of all programs and opportunities that Knox offers that makes it a leading Uniting Church school. Strengthening the links between academic studies, wellbeing and co-curricular is an encompassing commitment that is core to our future leadership work.

The Strategic Direction 2023-2027 identifies four areas of focus: Students’ Experiences, Staff, Community and Stewardship. These areas provide insight as to how Knox intends to move towards the future with courage, and is a framework for the development of plans that will be reported annually to our community. This ensures we can be flexible and adapt to unforeseen needs and challenges, continuing to take advantage of the best research for the shaping of our priorities.

As we approach our centenary in 2024, we reflect on our duty to ensure educational excellence within the context of our time. In a rapidly changing environment where support and mental health are increasingly critical components to schooling, where

the expectations of students, teachers and parents are ever-changing, and where there are new careers and societal challenges to navigate, we must continue to lead the way.

Knox has always demonstrated great capacity to respond to its evolving local and global context. Our Mission, Vision and Values anchor our community, whilst our Guiding Principles support the contemporary enactment of these foundations. As we look to the next five years, we can be confident that the constancy and agility woven through our distinguished 100-year history will continue to inspire and sustain our future aspirations. Innovation wrapped in tradition encapsulates the idea of blending originality and creativity together with our rich heritage and traditions. Together, we have the energy, commitment, talent and resources to ensure we will build on our strengths and create new opportunities.

MR SCOTT JAMES Headmaster MR SIMON ROTHERY Chairman of School Council

WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A LEADING SCHOOL; HIGHLY RESPECTED GLOBALLY FOR INNOVATION, ALTRUISM AND A COMMITMENT TO STUDENT AND TEACHER EXCELLENCE AND WELLBEING. –OUR MISSION

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

Knox Grammar School is guided by its strong traditions and heritage, its close relationship with parents and the local and global community, and exceptionally high educational standards.

We are committed to our values of Faith, Wisdom, Integrity, Compassion and Courage. Underpinning these values is a deep and lasting commitment to preparing each student for their future beyond Knox.

To ensure that this is achieved, we have a commitment to knowing the stories of our students and teachers.

TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

COURAGE

HIGH EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

COMPASSION

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH PARENTS AND THE LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY

OUR OFFERINGS

The School provides an exciting, challenging and enriching curriculum which allows students to develop creative and critical thinking, as well as problem-solving and leadership skills in a variety of contexts. Each student is able to explore their passions and develop their self-identity and wellbeing through a diverse offering of academic, cultural, sporting and service learning experiences.

SPORT

A total of 31 sports on offer.

AFTER SCHOOL SUPPORT

After school academic support and mentoring is available in all three Senior Academies and Boarding through Old Boys and current staff.

OLYMPIADS

Opportunities to participate in a range of Mathematics, Languages and Science Olympiads.

SOCIAL JUSTICE / SERVICE LEARNING

Up to 31 opportunities available.

PERFORMING ARTS

A vibrant Performing Arts curriculum with extensive performance opportunities in Music and Drama.

EXTENSION SUBJECTS

Every extension subject is offered including; Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, English Extension 1 and 2, History, Science, Music and Languages.

CO-EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Knox Prep and Senior School work alongside numerous all-girls schools, and offer 63 co-educational opportunities. In addition, our Wahroonga Prep campus is co-educational for Pre-K to Year 6 students.

COURSES

A selection of 40 courses for students in Stage 6 and bespoke courses in Stage 5, including iStem and Critical Thinking.

OLD KNOX GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATIONS

Students have the opportunity to join the OKGA when they graduate. The OKGA has more than 12,000+ members.

CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Up to 71 Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities on offer.

HIGH POTENTIAL LEARNERS

The da Vinci Decathlon provides the opportunity for high potential learners to participate in regional, national and international competitions.

OUR OFFERINGS

LEARNING IN PRIMARY

Prep students learn the NSW curriculum through a conceptual lens using a guided inquiry approach and design thinking within the Knoxigations units at Knox Prep and via the Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy at Wahroonga Prep.

PERSONALISED LEARNING

A personalised program of learning that focuses on each Prep student’s next steps in learning to maximise growth.

DIGITAL LEARNING

Software Design and Multimedia courses are supported through innovative teaching spaces with specialised equipment.

MUSIC ENSEMBLES

A total of 96 Music Ensembles on offer.

RENAISSANCE YEARS PROGRAM

Students in Years 5 and 6 study English, Mathematics, Science, Music, Japanese and PDHPE with up to three levels of instruction offered.

TEACHER SUPPORT

Coordinators oversee our Gifted and Talented program, English as an additional language (EALD) and Learning Enhancement for students with special needs.

LANGUAGES

Opportunity to learn four languages in Senior School: Chinese, French, German and Japanese.

Figures correct as of April 2023

Innovation wrapped in tradition encapsulates the idea of blending originality and creativity together with our rich heritage and traditions.

– Mr Scott James, Headmaster

AREA OF FOCUS OUR STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE

An exceptional education prepares young people to forge their own path beyond school, able to pursue their passions, sustain positive relationships, and meaningfully contribute to the communities in which they live and work. We aim to provide our students with experiences that equip them to thrive through life, building on, and strengthening the linkages between our academic, wellbeing, co-curricular and co-educational programs. To prepare them for a fast-evolving future, we will advance an enterprise and innovation agenda through our service learning, careers education and leadership programs.

AN INTEGRATED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

• Strengthen the links between academics, spiritual and social-emotional wellbeing, as well as sport and co-curricular, to nurture an all-round Knox graduate who strives for their personal best.

• Explore evidence-based practices in personalised learning to diversify pathways for excellence.

• Develop a Years 5-8 learning continuum, strengthening the connections between stages of learning.

• Develop a digitalised student transcript that captures and communicates the strengths, interests and accomplishments of each student.

PRIORITIES

FUTURE READINESS

• Establish a dedicated hub for advancement of a world-class careers education program, with a focus on enterprise and innovation.

• Nurture industry partnerships that support new models of career experience and mentoring.

• Continue building micro-credentialled learning experiences that equip students with post-school skillsets.

STUDENT WELLBEING

• Develop a whole school Student Wellbeing Plan which ensures the continued evolution of Knox Total Fitness.

• Strengthen the staff training program to support integration of wellbeing practices.

• Refine the aligned parent wellbeing education program to achieve common understanding and support for the School’s philosophy, framework and practices.

CITIZENSHIP

• Enhance the service-learning program, with a focus on building students’ capacity to empathise, be resilient, value diverse perspectives and take action.

• Authentically incorporate student voice in the design and evaluation of programs.

OUR STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE

OUR STAFF

AREA OF FOCUS OUR STAFF

Our success depends upon talented and engaged staff. We aim to create a professional environment where our people thrive and have confidence that a career at Knox opens up outstanding avenues for their growth and progression. We will expand opportunities for staff to collaborate and connect across campuses, encouraging new insights and contributions. To support our people, we will provide leadership culture and practices that are consistent, trusted and focused on high quality relationships.

ORGANISATIONAL DESIGN

• Support collective wellbeing by continuously reviewing and improving organisational structures, systems and processes.

• Innovate our People and Culture strategy to ensure we attract, retain and develop outstanding staff.

CAREER PLANNING AND PROGRESSION

• Drawing on contemporary research and practice, develop a professional growth model in collaboration with staff.

• Develop a feedback system that reflects the value we place on the exceptional efforts of our staff and their insights into what ignites success at Knox.

PRIORITIES

STAFF WELLBEING

• Enhance and further develop the Staff Wellbeing Plan.

• Strengthen connections between campuses and promote opportunities for collaboration.

• Design the Knox Leadership Model, intentionally developing wellbeing literate leaders.

• Review and contemporise staff facilities in support of wellbeing objectives.

AREA OF FOCUS OUR COMMUNITY

In our centenary year we acknowledge and affirm the role of our community in continuing our mission. We aim to foster a culture that deepens a sense of belonging and fortifies the partnerships that will ensure a successful future. To further enhance engagement, we will strengthen our communication and share the exceptional contributions and achievements of community members.

SHARED PURPOSE

• Promote a culture in which trust and compassion characterise the quality of interactions and deepen a sense of belonging.

• Leverage the talent and commitment of parents and alumni to ensure the success of our strategic initiatives.

PRIORITIES

COMMUNICATION

• Enhance community engagement and support through a strengthened communications strategy.

• Celebrate and promote the exceptional contributions and achievements of community members.

STEWARDSHIP

AREA OF FOCUS STEWARDSHIP

Through responsible stewardship, Knox ensures its future is an aspirational enactment of its mission. We aim to optimise and sustain our resources through contemporary management of facilities, including a highly effective digital ecosystem that supports advancements in educational and commercial operations. Through prudent governance and a culture of philanthropy, Knox will remain a leading school, confident in our capacity to provide outstanding opportunities for current and future students.

SUSTAINABILITY

• Develop a plan that is aligned to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals and defines our activities and targets to achieve a more sustainable future.

• Develop a cohesive, adaptable and streamlined digital ecosystem to support advancements in learning, teaching, analytics and operational effectiveness.

• Continuously review and develop our facilities plan, prioritising environmental sustainability with a view to making incremental improvements.

PRIORITIES

THRIVING FUTURES

• Provide prudent governance of resources that prioritise future environmental sustainability.

• Continue to work towards our campuses being carbon neutral.

• Nurture a community culture of philanthropy, where giving in diverse ways reflects confidence in our mission and future.