Inspiring Excellence with Christ at the Heart A Strategic plan for Tanunda Lutheran School 2014 - 2016
www.tls.sa.edu.au
Welcome A Message from the Principal.
Mr Darren Stevenson commenced as Principal of Tanunda Lutheran School on the 19th of April, 2010. Darren provides outstanding and innovative leadership in an ever changing educational landscape. He takes great pride in Lutheran
Welcome to the Tanunda Lutheran School. Our school is very distinctive in character and well regarded by the community it serves. We have a close knit, caring community that values every member of the school family. A school steeped in history, Tanunda Lutheran School provides educational best practice and state of the art facilities that provide our students with every opportunity to enjoy success.
education, with emphasis given to a strong thriving school community. Darren strives to provide students with an excellent education with a reputation for quality, relevance and effectiveness.
Darren Stevenson Principal, Tanunda Lutheran School
In an ever changing world, Tanunda Lutheran School endeavours to provide its students and families with every tool necessary for success. An Early Learning Centre that delivers outstanding preschool education and smooth transition to school and a one to one notebook computer program for students in year 4-7 are examples of this.
We provide outstanding educational opportunities within a Christian framework, where every member of the community is highly valued and supported. We are dedicated to developing and challenging every person to reach their full potential. As parents, choosing the right school for your children can be one of the most important decisions you can ever make. The early years of a child’s education are paramount. At Tanunda Lutheran School we provide a safe and caring environment, with a highly dedicated and motivated staff, encouraging character development and positive contribution to society for pre-school and primary school children. I sincerely thank you for your interest in our school, and take pleasure in inviting you to visit us so you can see for yourself all that Tanunda Lutheran School has to offer.
In the spirit of reconciliation Tanunda Lutheran School acknowledges that the site of the School is the traditional lands for the Peramangk people. We respect their spiritual relationship with the country. We also acknowledge the Peramangk people as the custodians of the Barossa region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Peramangk people today.
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Darren Stevenson Principal
School Profile
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In living our mission, TLS aims to inspire excellence in all endeavours, including academic achievement, the arts, physical and cultural activities. Our purpose is to nurture our children in a positive, caring, Christian environment in their lifelong journey of learning, ethical behaviour and educational development. Tanunda Lutheran School endeavours to inspire an intentional, strong community of individuals who embrace the highest possible standards of personal behaviour.
Other characteristics we aim to inspire in our community include: - Christian ideals - Personal integrity and honesty - Self discipline, accountability and self-belief - Understanding, dignity, com passion and respect - Inclusiveness and empathy - Persistence and resilience - Fairness and Sportsmanship
MISSION STATEMENT
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“Tanunda Lutheran School inspires excellence both in academic and co-academic areas of education in a Christian, positive environment.”
Environmental Context Tanunda Lutheran School (TLS), situated in the heart of the wine growing district of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, delivers excellence in education for Early Learning Centre (pre-school) to Year 7 students, in a warm, nurturing Christ-centred environment. Our mission is to ‘inpire excellence both in academic and co-academic areas of education in a Christian, positive environment.’ Tanunda Lutheran School values community. We consider ourselves as a family and ensure that all members of our school family feel welcomed, valued and included. Each child who attends Tanunda Lutheran School is considered its most important asset. Children learn best when they are immersed in an environment that cares, nurtures and encourages. Tanunda Lutheran School provides that environment for its students. With a current enrolment of around 300, TLS provides a contemporary and future-driven education equipping students with lifelong skills. We recognise and develop individual talents, enabling students to enrich their life journey and contribution to society. TLS develops in students their knowledge of the Christian faith and skills in literacy, numeracy and information processing. Our curriculum, based on the ACARA Australian Curriculum, and the Lutheran Education Australia Christian Studies Curriculum Framework, has been developed in each of the following Key Learning Areas: Christian Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography, Technologies, Health and Physical Education, LOTE (German and Japanese) and Arts, Civics and Citizenship (Yr 3 – 7), Economics and Business (Yr 5 – 7). Our aim at Tanunda Lutheran School is to develop our students into well rounded citizens, not only academically, but socially, emotionally and spiritually. We instil in our students values such as; love, justice, forgiveness, humility, courage, service, compassion, appreciation, hope and quality. We encourage our students to not only learn about these values, but to live them. Delivery of Christian values and an outstanding academic program is complimented by diverse extra and co-curricular opportunities which enable our students to discover their special interests and talents.
VALUES Strategic Plan 2014 - 2016
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1. Christ is the head of the organisation. Our Christian beliefs underpin all we do. 2. We develop and grow the ‘whole’ child (academically, emotionally, spiritually). 3. We intentionally value, promote and protect close community.
4. All students will be provided every opportunity to reach their full academic potential. 5. We provide diverse opportunities for students to investigate and discover their gifts, talents and interests. 6. We promote sustainability intentionally as custodians of God’s creation.
VISION
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‘Inspiring excellence with Christ at the heart.’
Elements of Activity Christian Ethos
Building Community
Academic Performance
Educational Diversity
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Resilience & Sustainability
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“Tanunda Lutheran School inspires excellence both in academic and co-academic areas of education in a Christian, positive environment.�
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“...love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, service, humility, courage, hope, equality & appreciation.�
Christian Ethos Christian worship is valued at Tanunda Lutheran School. Opportunities and encouragement are provided for corporate and individual worship. Teaching and learning about Christian life permeates all that we do. We value explicit teaching and personal modelling of God’s love and grace. The culture of our school is based upon Christian values of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, service, humility, courage, hope, equality and appreciation. As a reflection of our knowledge of God’s love for each individual, we also will value the individual and nurture their relationship with God.
To achieve this goal we will: 1. Provide and encourage opportunities for corporate and individual worship. 2. Teach and learn about chrisitan life. 3. Instil Christian values in our community.
“WORSHIP IS… THE ONE INDISPENSABLE ACTIVITY IN OUR SCHOOLS. UNLESS WE LET GOD’S WORD BE RIGHT AT THE CENTRE OF EVERY SCHOOL DAY OUR SCHOOLS WILL ONLY BE THEORETICALLY BASED ON CHRIST AND HIS WORD.”
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(KLEINIG 1977: 6). KLEINIG, JW. 1977. ‘NEW HORIZONS FOR OUR LUTHERAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.’ COLLEAGUE 5 (1) (MAY): 4-10
Building Community In intentionally fostering a strong sense of community at TLS, where staff, students and parents feel that they belong, TLS also supports the facilitation of students developing their own potential as citizens and active members of the wider and global community. Through enhanced communication and a continuation of service and respectful partnership in the broader community, TLS aims to maintain a culture of strong history, acceptance and connection. TLS encourages parental participation within the community and curriculum and aims to ensure a welcoming environment for new families during their integration into the School. We aim to enhance internal and external communication and practices to better engage the community. To achieve this goal we agree: 1. Communication practices & systems should be clear, timely, accurate, relevant, open and interactive. 2. To promote school programs that encourage and facilitate a positive contribution in the local and global community. 3. To identify and develop key foundations of maintaining a sense of community, culture and belonging within the school at a class, house and school level. 4. Positive parental engagement can and does significantly influence student academic attainment.
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5. Well-being is a common focus. Supporting each other emotionally and spiritually through friendship is vital.
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(HARGREAVES 1994: 58) HARGREAVES, A. 1994. CHANGING TEACHERS, CHANGING TIMES. TEACHERS’ WORK AND CULTURE IN THE POSTMODERN AGE. LONDON: CASSELL
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“ONE OF THE GREATEST EDUCATIONAL CRISES OF THE POSTMODERN AGE IS THE COLLAPSE OF THE COMMON SCHOOL; A SCHOOL TIED TO ITS COMMUNITY AND HAVING A CLEAR SENSE OF THE SOCIAL AND MORAL VALUES IT SHOULD INSTIL.”
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“Tanunda Lutheran School aims to maintain a culture of strong history, acceptance and connection.�
Academic Performance TLS provides opportunities for children to maximise their intellectual and spiritual potential through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. The TLS learning environment strives to engage the organic curiosity, individuality and creativity of each child and allow these principles to flourish. Tanunda Lutheran School continues to harness technological development, including information and communication technologies, to enhance the learning experience of students and staff. TLS seeks to employ and retain a highly professional and vocational staff. We continue to contribute to the growth and development of our teaching staff by providing career development,through relevant and up to date training and development opportunities. To achieve this goal we will: 1. Continually review and strengthen quality of teaching and learning. 2. Continue individual performance improvement. 3. Endeavour to be technologically current and innovative. 4. Further integrate play based approach for R-7.
(FISHER, FREY, PUMPIAN 2012). FISHER, D, FREY, N, PUMPIAN, I. 2012. HOW TO CREATE A CULTURE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM. ASCD. ALEXANDRIA, VA.
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“THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF A SCHOOL COMMUNITY THAT TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO BUILDING A CULTURE OF ACHIEVEMENT CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED.”
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5. Act on more forms of data.
Educational Diversity Tanunda Lutheran School fosters a culture of tolerance, inclusion and understanding in a welcoming Christian community. We value diversity and believe children prosper best with a broad curriculum which engages and celebrates their curiosity, individuality and creativity. TLS aims to build mutually respectful relationships which support parents and students and equip them with the positive learning experience necessary to transition through stages of learning, from the early years through to preparation for secondary education. It is our hope to develop compassionate, confident, curious, globally minded individuals who are equipped with a life long capacity to learn and adapt. To achieve this goal we endeavour: 1. To improve transitions for students and families through school. 2. To provide a diverse, innovative curriculum in which individual learning can flourish. 3. To facilitate engaged, curious learners and collaboration amongst student body.
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“IN TIMES OF RADICAL CHANGE, THE LEARNERS INHERIT THE EARTH… WHILE THE LEARNED FIND THEMSELVES PERFECTLY EQUIPPED FOR A WORLD THAT NO LONGER EXISTS.” (HOFFER 1973). HOFFER, E. 1973. REFLECTIONS ON THE HUMAN CONDITION. HARPER & ROW. NEW YORK.
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“...compassionate, confident, curious, globally minded individuals who are equipped with a life long capacity to learn and adapt.�
Resilience & Sustainability Tanunda Lutheran School strives to provide a learning environment which accommodates, facilitates and supports teaching, learning and community. Our vision is to develop an innovative school culture that is recognised as an inspiring model of environmental, social and economic sustainability. We continue to build upon the foundations our Sustainable Outdoor Learning Environments program with a mindfulness toward remaining financially and operationally sustainable in the long term. With a continued development of greater checks and measures focused on financial sustainability, TLS continues to increase its capacity to provide for development and future optimal enrolments. TLS aspires to equip our students, staff and the school community with the lifelong tools to engage in sustainable environmental practices which foster resilience. To achieve this goal we will: 1. Maintain and develop a sustainable business to ensure long term school viability. 2. Increase the school’s capacity to provide for development and future optimal enrolments. 3. Provide a learning environment which accommodates, facilitates and supports teaching, learning and community. 4. Increase financial resilience.
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5. Endeavour to develop a school culture that is recognised as an inspiring model of environmental, social and economic sustainability.
“THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO DESIGN IT.� (R BUCKMINSTER-FULLER)
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“... A school culture which is recognised as an inspiring model of environmental, social and economic sustainability.�
Inspiring Excellence with Christ at the Heart 16 Maria Street Tanunda SA 5352 P. (08) 8563 2456 E. admin@tls.sa.edu.au www.tls.sa.edu.au