Royal St. George’s College: Draft Strategic Plan for 2013 to 2018 Draft for Review with Our Community June 19, 2013
ROYAL ST. GEORGE’S COLLEGE DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2013 – 2018 June 2013
INTRODUCTION We are excited about our future. At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year the Board of Governors launched a process to develop a strategic plan to guide Royal St. George’s College forward. Through this process our community has shared their aspirations for our future, and their thoughts on what must change and what should not change within our College. This draft strategic plan is being shared with you at this time to seek your feedback before we finalize the Plan. The final plan will be shared with the RSGC community in the Fall of 2013. This is not the final strategic planning document, but it does contain the key components we expect to include in the final plan including the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Information About the Strategic Planning Process About Royal St. George’s College – Past and Present Our Draft Mission, Vision and Values Draft Strategic Directions for 2013 to 2018 Approach to Implementation Planning
INFORMATION ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The strategic planning process has been guided by a Steering Committee appointed by the Board. The Steering Committee includes the following individuals.
Strategic Planning Steering Committee
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Shelly Haber: Co-Chair, Board Member, Parent Stephen Beatty: Co-Chair, Headmaster, Alumnus, Parent Dorothy Byers, Board Member James Crossland: Board Member, Parent Kimberly Cudney: Board Member. Guild Executive, Parent Roma Dubczak: Parent Julie Girvan: Staff Molly Johnson: Board Member, Parent Anna Magor: Staff Jesse Parker: Board Member. Alumnus Ruth Woods: Board Chair, Past Parent
RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
The Strategic Planning Process includes three phases. We are nearing the end of the second phase: •
Phase 1: Strategic Assessment: Environmental scan of external trends, review of progress in recent years, assessment of internal trends, and engagement of members of our community in a dialogue about our future.
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Phase 2: Strategic Direction: During the second phase, we have prepared strategic directions to provide guidance for the development of our School over the next five years. We have also reviewed and renewed our mission statement, vision statement and core values. This draft document is being shared with our community to hear their views, prior to finalization of the plan.
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Phase 3: Plan Completion, Implementation and Launch: During the final phase, the School’s leaders will develop strategies and tactics to implement the directions outlined in the Plan. The Plan will be launched in Fall 2013, and implementation will begin in the next school year (i.e. 2013-2014). Ongoing monitoring and reporting to our community will be a key element of the planning process.
Through the process to date, we have consulted and engaged many voices. Members of our RSGC community have participated through a community survey, focus groups and a number of leadership retreats and discussions. We have engaged over 270 participants in the process, including students, staff, current parents, former parents, the Board of Governors and alumni. The draft plan included in this document includes the following elements:
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
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ABOUT ROYAL ST. GEORGE’S COLLEGE: PAST AND PRESENT
In 2014 Royal St. George’s College will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Ontario Legislative Assembly chartered RSGC on April 29, 1961 by ‘The St. George’s College Act’. Founded as a boys’ choir school in the English tradition by a group of Anglican clergy and laymen, St. George’s admitted its first students on September 7, 1964. Over the past 50 years RSGC has grown and evolved into a school with a student population of 426 boys. Today the School offers a diverse academic and co-curricular program (Grades 3 to 12) that prepares boys for post-secondary education and life. The School’s location in the Annex neighbourhood in the heart of Toronto, puts it at the doorstep of a rich array of amazing learning opportunities and institutions. The School’s facilities bring together both unique heritage elements such as the historic Chapel of St. Alban-the-Martyr as well as modern state of the art learning facilities completed in the fall of 2013. Through our planning process we asked many questions about what makes us unique, what makes us strong, where we need to improve and how we should change. Our community told us that some things at RSGC should never change: •
The Focus on the Individual: At RSGC each person in our community is recognized as a unique individual. Through the planning process parents told us “Boys are celebrated for who they are” and “There’s a place for every type of boy”. High value is placed on our guarantee that each boy will be “known and loved”. As one parent said “The school really got who my son was”. We pride ourselves on how well our teachers know the boys. We value and support the development of the unique talents of individual boys. Unlike some schools where “one size fits all”, our school is willing to be flexible and enable boys to pursue special talents such as participate in competitive sports at an elite level.
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Balance: During the consultation process people talked about the importance of balance to be successful in today’s world, and the special value placed on balance at RSGC. RSGC provides a balanced program which encourages growth in diverse spheres of learning – academics, athletics, arts, community service etc. Participants noted the importance of developing “well-rounded individuals” or “renaissance men” who possess the diverse qualities needed to thrive in a changing world. People value the fact that RSGC has strong programs in areas as diverse as choral and vocal music and advanced computer engineering.
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Manners Maketh Men: Our founding headmaster, Dr. J.L. Wright proffered the motto, “Manners maketh men”. The students and graduates of RSGC continue to be known for their exceptional courtesy and character – for their ability to look you in the eye and shake your hand, and for the respect and kindness they show to others. –4–
RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
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A Welcoming, Caring Community: RSGC is more than a school – it’s a community with many dimensions. Through the planning process participants spoke of “the sense of community”, being “a strong community”, and the feeling that RSGC is a warm place where people really care about each other. Alumni place a special value on the lifelong friendships they have developed and the support they receive from their Georgian community throughout their lives.
When asked how RSGC needs to evolve in the future, a number of key messages emerged. These are addressed in the draft strategic directions which are highlighted in the following sections.
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
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OUR DRAFT MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
We have reviewed and renewed our mission, vision and values to bring clarity to our purpose, our aspirations for the future, and the core beliefs that guide us in everything we do.
Our Draft Mission
To challenge and inspire each boy to become the best version of himself
The Meaning behind the Mission: To challenge and inspire…Our teachers challenge and inspire boys to reach higher and go further. Our teachers ignite, and model, a love of learning. Our programs open the minds of our boys to new horizons, new thinking and new possibilities. each boy…We value the uniqueness of each boy. Each boy will be “known and loved”. Each boy will be challenged and supported academically, athletically, artistically, socially and emotionally. to become the best version of himself… The best version of himself understands that “manners maketh men”. The best version of himself is an inquisitive, creative and collaborative problem-solver, and has a strong academic preparation that opens doors in his future. The best version of himself is engaged in a breadth of experiences, takes initiative and honours his commitments. The best version of himself is cultivated through authentic relationships with outstanding educators who are passionate about their students and learning. The best version of himself is a Georgian.
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
Our Draft Vision
We believe that our world needs more “Georgians”. Our vision is that each Georgian: • • • • • • • • •
is inquisitive, creative and collaborative is resilient and able to adapt and thrive has moral character and spiritual strength is kind, polite and caring has a global mindset and community awareness takes initiative and honours his commitments values continuous learning gives back to his communities continues to be engaged in the Georgian community throughout his life
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
Our Draft Organizational Values
Our organizational values are guiding beliefs and principles that inform our decisionmaking and behaviour throughout the School from the boardroom to the classroom. Known and Loved: Each boy is understood and valued Manners Maketh Men: We value manners and demonstrate respect through our actions. The Power of Community: We believe in the power of collaboration, working together and building community. Action with Integrity: We are guided by moral and ethical principles and are accountable for our actions. Spirituality Matters: We celebrate our Anglican affiliation and nurture our boys’ spiritual lives. We are inclusive and supportive of our diverse and multi-faith community. Learning Never Ends: We must continue to learn, to ask important questions, explore new ideas, and be responsive to changing needs. .
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
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DRAFT STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2013-2018
Navigating the economic and social transformations ahead for our world will require original thinkers, creativity and social intelligence. The opportunities and demands of the 21st century will require individuals who possess strong moral character, creative thinking skills, confidence and resilience. Our primary goal for 2013 to 2018 is to prepare our boys to thrive and lead in a changing world. This goal and its supporting objectives can only be realized if we pursue our supporting goal: to foster innovation and excellence by engaging our community and partners.
Our Primary Goal for 2013 to 2018: Prepare our Boys to Thrive and Lead in a Changing World Key Strategic Objectives: Challenge our boys with strong and inspiring academic programs Support the development of our boys’ resilience and independence Connect our boys to the world beyond the school Further develop an environment that celebrates and supports the individuality of our boys, and reflects the diversity of our changing world
Our Enabling Goal for 2013 to 2018: Foster Innovation and Excellence by Engaging our Community and Partners Key Strategic Objectives: Ensure an environment that inspires staff and enables collaboration and innovation Build learning partnerships and connections with our extended community Engage our Georgian community in the life and future development of our School
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
Goal 1: Prepare our Boys to Thrive and Lead in a Changing World A strong focus of our school has always been to ensure that our boys are “known and loved”. To enable our boys to succeed in the future we will need to enhance our focus on challenging and inspiring each boy and help them further develop the resilience, skills and initiative that enable them to adapt, thrive and lead in a rapidly changing and inter-connected world. Over the next five years we will pursue these strategic objectives and high-level strategies:
1. Challenge our boys with strong and inspiring academic programs: Foster challenge, enrichment, critical thinking and preparedness for the future through opportunities such as new course pathways and experiential learning Create a whole school academic vision that ensures a strong, inspiring and integrated academic program - reflecting best practice and high academic standards 2. Support the development of our boys’ resilience and independence: Develop comprehensive strategies from Junior School through the Senior School to enhance leadership skills, life skills and the capacity of our boys to develop the resilience, independence and wellness they will need for future success Explore the potential offering of a new Bridge Year to life beyond RSGC – a planned year that would provide an enriched learning and growing experience (including but not limited to independent study, travel, work experience and service opportunities) 3. Connect our boys to the world beyond the school: Enhance “real world” experience throughout our academic and co-curricular programs by building in more community-based and global experiential learning opportunities Develop a mentoring program which connects our boys to our vast network of talented alumni, parents and past-parents in different fields 4. Further develop an environment that celebrates and supports the individuality of our boys, and reflects the diversity of our changing world Sustain an atmosphere that welcomes, celebrates and supports the diverse attributes and unique gifts of each individual Maintain our Anglican roots, and ensure our culture, programs and practices continue to evolve to understand and welcome multiple cultures and faiths – 10 –
RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
Goal 2: Foster Innovation and Excellence by Engaging our Community and Partners To prepare our boys to thrive and lead in a changing world, we need to create an environment that fosters innovation and excellence and fully engages the strengths of our community and partners. We are blessed with an exceptional Georgian community (students, faculty, staff, parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni and friends of the School). Our unique urban setting and our local and global networks provide us with potential access to a range of exceptional corporate and institutional partners locally and globally. Over the next five years we will pursue these strategic objectives and high-level strategies:
5. Ensure an environment that inspires staff, and enables collaboration and innovation Develop a targeted professional development strategy that equips faculty and staff to continue to deliver inspiring and innovative programs and services Develop supporting systems that reinforce and enable a culture of collaboration and innovation Encourage, support and share action research and creative strategies for boys education through partnerships with external organizations and support to our faculty 6. Build learning partnerships and connections with our extended community Enrich and strengthen our programs by further developing partnerships with Toronto’s amazing variety of cultural and learning institutions Engage alumni and parents who would be willing to support community-based learning opportunities for the boys, as well as other learning and mentoring programs 7. Engage our Georgian community in the life and development of our School Develop an alumni engagement strategy that supports lifelong relationships among alumni and with the School Develop a culture of philanthropy that will support the strength and sustainability of the School for future generations of Georgians
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RSGC Draft Strategic Plan for Community Feedback June 2013
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APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
Once refined and approved, these directions will come to life through implementation planning. Each year we will identify key priorities and implement specific strategies to move forward to achieve our objectives. We will monitor our changing environment annually, and adjust our strategies as necessary. We will develop specific metrics for monitoring our progress, and report annually to our community on our progress. We will also continue to listen to our community through both formal and informal consultation. Your views matter to us. We look forward to your ongoing insights and ideas as we move ahead.
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