Feedback from Cyclic Review 2020

The school has undergone numerous refurbishments over the years, and there are ongoing plans to improve classroom and playground facilities even further. Despite the site being limited and located on a main road, the school has creatively used its available space to provide an impressive array of learning, administrative and active and passive play areas. The Principal and Leadership Team indicate a high level of commitment to the school with a clear vision for where they want the school to be in the future.

The school has strong links with the neighbouring Catholic High School, Holy Spirit College, and students are actively involved in numerous community events. Students report great affection for the school and appreciation for the extensive opportunities provided them. Parents, similarly report high satisfaction and admiration for the staff and the high levels of care afforded their children. They expressed gratitude for the strong sense of community and transparency created by the staff in harmony with the parent body.  Relationships with the Parents and Friends Association, understandably, are very collaborative.

Whilst student academic performance is generally above expectations, the staff are still committed to unlocking the potential of every child. The school has noted the need to focus on writing to improve student literacy, and continued focus on improving student numeracy across the whole school.

School Leadership Team Recommendations

The school named the following areas it wishes to focus on to bring about improvement over the next cycle:

1. Creating and maintaining strong links with the Parish;
2. Implementing Age Appropriate Pedagogy (Inquiry Based Learning) into Stage 1;
3. Improving staff capacity to facilitate student writing, especially spelling, grammar and punctuation;
4. Continuing to refine the Student Data Wall to make it relevant and accessible;
5. Re- developing classroom environments and providing resources to support contemporary learning pedagogy;
6. Embedding a culture of Collaborative Inquiry through strengthening staff understanding of Collaborative Leadership Improving Learning methodologies; and
7.  Developing staff understanding of new system policies in Diverse Learning Needs and Student Pastoral Care and Well-Being, and ensuring they are integrated into the life of the school.

Cyclic Review Team Recommendations

 The Cyclic Review Team were very impressed with the improvement initiatives and collaborative culture of the school. Based on the information collected in this review, the Cyclic Review Team validate the school’s planning for the future and recommend that the school:

1. Develop a strategy for providing ongoing staff spiritual formation experiences that deepen the experience of Lamplighters and Shining Lights;
2. Seek ways to share the successful collaborative processes and culture of the school with other Diocesan schools.