Strategic Plan for 2011-2014 - Mount Carmel College

Strategic Plan
2011-2014

Vision Statement
Mount Carmel College, founded in 1942 by the Sisters of
Charity, is a K-10 school in the Catholic tradition.
In a vibrant educational community individuals are encouraged
to develop their potential, live their faith, acquire a love of
learning and contribute to society with confidence and integrity.
We nurture,
We challenge,
We care
Welcome to
Mount Carmel College
MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE BOARD
Mount Carmel College was established by the Sisters of Charity in 1942 and
the story of their courage and faith informs our vision. Mary Aikenhead, who
founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity in Ireland in 1815, wanted
the Sisters to be “contemplatives in action” and “extensively useful”. This
tradition of faith in action continues today.
Our learning environment creates opportunities for individual students to
develop their unique giftedness, both within the College and the wider
community. Our teachers recognise the extraordinary responsibility of their
profession in engaging in one of humanity’s most excellent and creative
activities.
Traditional strengths are valued but Mount Carmel also anticipates and
provides for the changing needs of the students and other members of the
College community. The importance of positive relationships is also central to
all that we do.
In a dynamic and developmental educational process, staff, parents and
students work together to develop all students to their full potential and to
give witness to the good news of Jesus Christ – through message, partnership
and service.
Mr Christopher Stennard, Chairman

We Love ourSchool
CATHOLIC ETHOS STATEMENT
“Our work in a Catholic organisation
is more than using our professional
skills in the service of others.
In everything we do, we are
ministering in the name of the
Catholic Church and the Gospel.
We must, therefore, represent the
values of the Church, presenting
the compassionate face of Christ to
the world- respecting the dignity of
every person as a child of God.”
(Archbishop Adrian Doyle, 2005)
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
At Mount Carmel College, the Gospel values of justice, freedom and service
are affirmed and celebrated.
Our College community is small enough to enable each student to be
known and valued, while being encouraged to explore a remarkable breadth
of educational opportunities. A comprehensive curriculum emphasises
educational excellence for every student, as well as providing space in which
to learn and grow. This proactive engagement in the process of education
should be the foundation of life-long learning.
At Mount Carmel College, pastoral care expresses the ethos and philosophy
of the school. It provides an experience wherein members of the College
community can interact creatively to make positive choices about life. We
acknowledge that each member of that community, whether student, staff
member or parent, deserves to be supported and treated with equity and
justice.
Our learning community is one which uses its resources well to enhance our
teaching programmes and to foster an approach to social justice which is
global in outlook. Mount Carmel College aims not just to be different but to
make a real difference in the world in which we live.
Mrs Laurie Wolfe, Principal
Hannah &Lucy Watson,Year 10
“Our strongest belief about Mount Carmel is that it is like a
second family to us. We are comfortable in the knowledge
that we’re respected and valued members of the College
community.”

Building a Learning Community
Journey in Faith
GOALS
We aim as a Christ-centred
community to acknowledge the
dignity of each person and to
promote Catholic values.
We aim as a faith community to
ensure that the charism of the Sisters
of Charity permeates the culture of
the College.
We aim to foster the spiritual
formation of each member of our
College community.
We aim to prepare our students to
be courageous, articulate, faith-filled
contributors to a more just world.
STRATEGIES
1.1 Celebrate our Catholic identity
1.2 Build a community based on integrity, justice, compassion and forgiveness
1.3 Provide opportunities for liturgy, prayer and reflection
1.4 Create a welcoming and inclusive environment
1.5 Value and celebrate the story of the Sisters of Charity
1.6 Empower and inspire young women to take their place in a changing world.
1.7 Make our values real and obvious to the school community
1.8 Develop strategies that ensure that the staff is fully immersed in and
committed to the vision, values and mission of the College
1.9 Build resilience in our students
1.10 Provide opportunities for faith in action
1.11 Foster an understanding of social justice and ethical behavior
1.12 Encourage an understanding in our students of their responsibility within
creation and their duty towards the natural world
GOALS
We aim to provide an inclusive K-10
curriculum which is challenging,
relevant and fosters a passion for
life-long learning.
We aim to teach in ways which
reflect a knowledge of how students
learn,incorporating teaching strategies
which are both proven and innovative.
We aim to prepare our students to
make informed study, career and life
choices.
We aim to provide a stimulating
and rich program of co-curricular
activities.
We aim to meet system and
government requirements with
integrity and in the best interests of
our students.
STRATEGIES
2.1 Provide opportunities for integrated learning with clearly defined learning
goals
2.2 Develop strategies to meet the needs of all students in literacy and
numeracy across the curriculum
2.3 Take an active role in the implementation of the Australian curriculum
2.4 Provide a comprehensive curriculum which emphasises educational
excellence for every student
2.5 Encourage and support teachers in their professional learning
2.6 Develop a focus in the Year 9 curriculum on sustainability
2.7 Engage students in learning experiences which cater for different learning
needs
2.8 Promote problem solving and deep understanding across all curriculum
areas
2.9 Recognise the role of national testing in providing information which
enhances learning for all students at an individual level
2.10 Use Pathway Planning as an integral part of the curriculum
2.11 Work with GYC to strengthen links to PY10 education
2.12 Build on the VET programme for Year 9 and 10 students
2.13 Maintain our commitment to a program of co-curricular activities in
partnership with parents
2.14 Encourage participation, team spirit and a sense of fair play
2.15 Promote health and wellbeing
2.16 Implement curriculum requirements in ways that reflect our values, culture
and direction in teaching and learning
2.17 Maintain an ongoing review of our Teaching and Learning practices

Resourcing the Future
GOALS
We aim to continually improve the
College environment, recognising its
interconnection with student learning
and wellbeing.
STRATEGIES
4.1 Use the opportunities presented by the BER funding to enhance educational
opportunity and incorporate best practice
4.2 Develop a Learning Centre which provides extra support for all students
4.3 Develop, improve and use technology to enhance the learning of all
students
Leading a Learning Community
GOALS
We aim to engage in leadership
practices that are prayerful,
collaborative and consultative,
respecting the dignity of students,
staff and parents.
We aim to provide quality
educational leadership and model
the practice of leading learning.
STRATEGIES
3.1 Actively promote the unique culture and identity of the school
3.2 Model the integration of spiritual and religious dimensions throughout all
areas of school life
3.3 Facilitate the building of positive networks with the parish and wider
communities
3.4 Ensure that there are opportunities for all to contribute to decision-making
through opinion and discussion
3.5 ensure the ongoing development of staff and students as a learning
community
3.6 ensure that staff are given the opportunity to participate in various
educational forums outside the school
We aim to provide a safe and
welcoming environment.
We aim through our Capital
Development Plan to provide quality
facilities in response to educational
priorities.
We aim to promote the College
effectively and with integrity.
We aim to maintain the financial
viability of the College.
4.4 Ensure best practice in our approach to OH&S policy and guidelines
4.5 Encourage all members of th College community to be responsible in
meeting safety obligations
4.6 Implement all planned improvements via the BER money
4.7 Review the College Strategic Plan for 2011-12
4.8 Promote Mount Carmel as a vibrant K-10 school
4.9 Use marketing strategies which emphasise availability of access to Mount
Carmel for all
4.10 Develop strategies which are true to our mission of providing for the poor
and the marginalised
4.11 Provide sound and prudent financial management
4.12 Continue to explore opportunities for enrolment
4.13 Provide an evaluation of the purchase of the new bus to increase
enrolments from the Eastern Shore
4.14 Actively pursue funding which provides additional support for students
We aim to monitor our leadership
structure, mentoring, succession
planning and performance
management systems to ensure that
we achieve best outcomes for our
staff and students.
3.7 develop a sustainable programme for performance management for all
staff, based on a process of self-evaluation and connected to professional
teaching standards
3.8 continue to review the effectiveness of our organisational structures
3.9 commit to an ongoing programme of school improvement planning and
management of change
3.10 ensure that new staff are invited to participate in an induction process
which is welcoming and effective

We celebrate our Strengths
OUR COLLEGE
We are proud to be a Catholic College in
the tradition of the Sisters of Charity.
OUR STRENGTHS
1 We actively support academic excellence and consistently encourage and
expect all students to work towards their potential.
2 We recognise and celebrate the gifts of all members of our College
community within a safe and welcoming environment
3 Our pastoral care practice has at its core a network of positive relationships
Community Partnerships
4 Our approach to behaviour management is guided by restorative principles
5 Our commitment to social justice inspires us to reach out to those in need
GOALS
We aim to create an active parent
involvement, based on positive and
reciprocal relationships, in order to
achieve the best outcomes for our
students.
We aim through our Restorative
Practices to foster a climate of
resilience, responsibility,
resourcefulness and respect.
STRATEGIES
5.1 Promote the value of mutual cooperation and positive relationships.
Actively seek to involve parents in participation within the College
5.2 Affirm the value of Restorative Practice as underpinning behaviour
management at the College
5.3 Ensure that the principles of Restorative Practice are understood by all
members of the College Community
6 Our teachers are passionate about their practice and actively engage in
professional learning
7 We use our resources wisely to enhance our educational environment
8 We acknowledge the importance of the partnership between students,
teachers and parents
9 We nurture, challenge and care for our students through a range of
opportunities beyond the classroom
We aim to provide opportunities for
collaboration and consultation in our
planning and decision making.
5.4 Provide meeting time to discuss significant issues
5.5 Put mechanisms in place whereby feedback can be provided by the whole
school community on significant issues
We aim to strengthen our
relationships with the wider
community.
5.6 Explore strategies that give students an understanding of their role within
parish communities
5.7 Actively seek to involve students in projects where interaction with
community groups is key
5.8 Use internet and technological opportunities to connect with the wider
community
5.9 Continue to refine our communication systems

Mount Carmel College
Address:
361 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia 7005
Tel: 6216 7900, Fax: 6216 7999
Email: info@mountcarmel.tas.edu.au
Postal Address:
PO Box 217, Sandy Bay TAS 7006
Website: www.mountcarmel.tas.edu.au