SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AGENDA 2016 FROM THE PRINCIPAL Welcome to the third and final year of our current School Improvement Plan 2014-2016. As you would be aware, our overarching goal at Mater Maria Catholic College is to develop Engaged, Positive, Independent and Connected (EPIC) learners. Our principal directions in 2016 are summed up from our School Improvement Plan 2014-2016 in three key statements focused on mission; teaching and learning and pastoral care. These are: • Strengthen students’ understanding and commitment to being disciples of Jesus through prayer; service to others and active reflection on the College values • Effective data and resource use by staff, students and parents to optimise each student’s learning outcomes • Provide a positive, safe learning environment that celebrates each student’s success within a connected learning community. In 2016, our annual School Improvement agenda is drawn from these principal directions. As well, the community will be focused on articulating and promoting the College value of Justice; enhancing the use of student data to inform teaching and track student performance; improving literacy skills with a focus on paragraph writing and punctuation; improving skills of creative and critical thinking; collaboration and effective communication and increasing parent engagement in their children’s learning. I invite all members of the Mater Maria Catholic College community to join in the implementation of this agenda as we work together to develop students who are EPIC learners.
Marc Reicher Principal
MATER MARIA CATHOLIC COLLEGE COMMUNITY • FORMATION • SUCCESS 5 FOREST ROAD WARRIEWOOD NSW 2102 AUSTRALIA TELEPHONE 02 9997 7044 FACSIMILE 02 9997 6042 WEBSITE www.matermaria.nsw.edu.au
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AGENDA 2016 In 2016, the community of Mater Maria Catholic College will be committed to: Articulating and promoting the College value of Justice Enhancing the use of student data to inform teaching and track student performance Improving literacy skills with a focus on paragraph writing and punctuation Improving skills of creative and critical thinking; collaboration and effective communication Increasing parent engagement in their children’s learning
KEY DOMAIN 1:
Strengthen students’ understanding and commitment to being disciples of Jesus through prayer; service to others and active reflection on the College values
By the end of 2016 we will have: •
Provided the community with a variety of experiences to achieve a deeper understanding of the College value of Justice in the context of Pope Francis’ proclamation of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
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Implemented the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) program for Year 9 and Year 10 students
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Offered staff professional learning in mission to strengthen faith formation
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Acknowledged all students who have served the College and wider community in ministry through the House Cup system
KEY DOMAIN 2:
Effective data and resource use by staff, students and parents to optimise each student’s learning outcomes
By the end of 2016 we will have: •
Implemented and evaluated a whole College literacy approach with a focus on student paragraph writing and punctuation
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Utilised student learning data to inform teachers’ pedagogy
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Continued the teacher collaborative professional learning agenda to focus on the learning needs of students
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Provided professional learning on the effective use of 1:1 devices by utilising strategies to develop 21st century learning skills
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Completed the external School Review and Development Process for registration and accreditation
KEY DOMAIN 3:
Provide a positive, safe learning environment that celebrates each student’s success within a connected learning community.
By the end of 2016 we will have: •
Implemented the eSmart framework to support students as smart, safe and responsible users of technology
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Enhanced positive relationships and resilience by introducing MindMatters strategies and linking these with the eSmart framework
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Strengthened parental engagement of their child’s learning and wellbeing through the Edumate Parent Portal
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Deepened student engagement and responsibility in their own learning and wellbeing through the Edumate Student Portal
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Facilitated the College Board and P&F to host parent evenings for parent nominated topics
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Established an official Twitter and Facebook presence to build connectivity and share successes.