Intent
2019-2024
Chairman’s Message
The most important responsibilities of the College Board are to plan for the future, govern with integrity, use our resources wisely and sustainably, and to appoint a Chief Executive Officer who can deliver the needs of the College Board and provide for the College Community.
To reflect the changing nature of the educational environment, the increasing demands and expectations of Australian schools, and with a need to plan with deliberate and sustained focus, our Board has commenced a new planning cycle.
The following pages document the College’s Strategic Intent, which will be delivered by Ms Joanne Sheehy, Principal A.B. Paterson College and her dedicated teams. The College Board has expressed its ideas in broad overarching concepts thereby enabling the Principal, the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams and working teams of staff to plan the specific steps required to deliver the Strategic Intent.
A.B. Paterson College is well-known to be a leading School on the Gold Coast and beyond. This plan calls the College to now lift its sights on our contribution to the world beyond.
The College Board is very appreciative of the efforts of staff and parents for the wonderful development of our College and its community. The challenges and opportunities that now present, as we near our 30th anniversary, are wonderful and indeed ones that will enable further maturity and growth as we develop our philanthropic hearts.
United in community, we anticipate the years ahead with much excitement.
DAVID TANNER Chairman, A.B. Paterson College Board
Principal’s Message
I am as excited and encouraged about our future as a leading educational institution as the very first day I entered our campus.
The A.B. Paterson College community values our ongoing commitment to a strong academic program, but in a balanced and holistic approach that develops character, genuine personal wellbeing and a strong moral standing. This development mandates high levels of effective engagement between students, parents and staff, and a commitment by all to our shared Values and Purpose.
Our community also seeks innovation, the development of leadership and a platform from which we can become more globally connected and minded. We seek to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and most importantly the heart to do just this, and to have every expectation to be a part of the solutions to the challenges that our world will face in the future. Through such actions, our College seeks to inspire hope and leadership for many.
I am delighted to present and commend to you the A.B. Paterson College’s Strategic Intent 2019-2024 titled ‘Inspiring Hope and Leadership’. Our College stands at a very interesting point in our history as we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Although young by many measures, our College has grown and developed a maturity, standing and public recognition far in excess of our years. This wonderful achievement is a result of the dedicated and skilful leaders in our past who have raised our College to its current significance.
On behalf of the Chairman of the College Board, Mr David Tanner, and the Senior Leadership Team of the College, I commend this document to you and in doing so, seek your support in helping us achieve these goals. Only through unity and commitment can we achieve our very best for our students – past, present and future.
May our collective efforts be seen and recognised solely in the young people who leave our College better placed and equipped to improve society and community for all.
MS JOANNE SHEEHY Principal A.B. Paterson College
Introduction
A.B. Paterson College has a wonderful history of high academic achievement and an outstanding commitment to the education and development of young people since its Foundation in 1991. Notwithstanding these high academic achievements and the many Awards achieved by our students, it is in fact the character, social responsibility, humanity, and leadership of our students that sets them apart from all others.
Our College is focused on meeting the contemporary and anticipated future needs of our students, to aid in developing the essential knowledge, skills and frameworks to prepare them to transform the world around them, to develop the awareness and recognition of their social responsibilities, and the leadership to effect positive change for humanity.
We aim to provide opportunities throughout the College and in all areas of endeavour to develop the character and leadership of our young men and women through their active participation in a wide range of educational experiences. These opportunities are provided by a committed and professionally focused staff, who model the College’s Motto of Excellence, Care and Commitment in all that they do within the College. A culture of leadership, sense of community, integrity and service are the integral elements of our Strategic Pillars.
Our Strategic Intent has been developed to achieve the Strategic Governance requirements of the College Board to ensure that A.B. Paterson College will provide an education that is:
■ committed to the development of the qualities of each individual student;
■ characterised by the pursuit of individual excellence in academic areas by each student;
■ provided in a caring environment, with a system of pastoral care involving all students;
■ characterised by strong co-curricular programs, providing opportunities for all students to develop cultural skills and interests, sporting skills and interests, and community service involvement;
Strategic Intent
■ characterised by an appreciation and understanding of Christian morality;
■ characterised by a high correlation between home and school values; and
■ committed to the development of curriculum and pedagogy using the Teaching for Understanding approach as developed by Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education, or an alternative framework approved by the Board which supports the educational objectives of the College.
The Strategic Intent has at its very foundation our belief of ‘One College, One Focus’ and is grounded in whole school goals and strategies to ensure a seamless transition throughout the College. Action Plans articulate the approach to ensuring goals are met and are reported to the community throughout the year.
Our Vision is to develop in our students the intellectual character necessary to become passionate about the ongoing pursuit of learning; to have the skills and confidence to succeed in an increasingly complex world; and to become committed to creating positive futures for the good of all, through leadership and active participation in their communities. We believe in every student having the opportunity to excel and to experience those special moments that will forever remain a treasured memory of their education at A.B. Paterson College, whether it be the first time they enter our beautiful campus, the level of engagement and endeavour within the classroom, the occasions in which they meet and overcome academic or personal challenge, their involvement in a special rite of passage, the realisation of their special achievement in an area of endeavour, or the special relationships formed with their peers and their teachers. It is these special moments that shape their character and ultimately their lives, long after they have commenced their journey at our College.
This document aims to celebrate our history and articulate our future directions. We welcome you on this journey and together look forward to an exciting future.
The Strategic Intent of A.B. Paterson College, outlined in this document, recognises the dynamic nature of education, as it relates to the impact of technology, political influences, and the increased pressure on staff, students and parents that arise from contemporary education, societal influences, and the nature of Australian communities.
The Key Assumptions upon which this plan is based are:
1. The national and global economic situation will remain fluid and uncertain, thereby necessitating that the College’s budgeting position must be carefully managed, and that there is a need to constantly critically consider and evaluate expenditure;
2. The student population of our College will not exceed current predictions and patterns, but enrolments will remain steady, recognising that parental and student choice will remain highly influential in such decisions;
3. The national debate around funding will continue to develop further division between the various education sectors, and that funding levels will remain at existing levels but with increased demand for reporting and acquittals on funding and school performance, leading to increased compliance costs;
4. The College’s academic program will continue to be influenced by the Australian Curriculum and Queensland Senior Studies Curriculum;
5. During the life of this plan there will be greater compliance requirements and higher levels of individual student tracking with respect to academic performance and external measures of performance;
6. The College community will expect more ready access to data and analysis;
7. The College will need to continually review and develop its facilities based on the need to genuinely enhance classroom engagement and provide new opportunities for our students, as opposed to developments as mere marketing opportunities;
8. The College will need to be responsive and proactive on social issues that affect the wellbeing of our young people and be a strong voice in such conversations;
9. The nature of the sub-school structure of the College and key staffing roles to be reviewed to ensure that the College best provides for our students and their generational needs;
10. The College, while maintaining high academic standards, emphasises a holistic education by the provision of diverse co-curricular experiences and a curriculum that enables the development of young men and women of character; students who are equipped with the intellectual skills to develop deep understanding by reflecting, questioning and modifying their thinking. Underpinning this learning mindset is our belief that character development is critical to wellbeing.
The art of teaching at A.B. Paterson College demands a detailed understanding of the learner. Learning intentions are delivered by deliberate and strategic educational practices that lead to individual growth through goal setting and effective feedback. Learning will be authentic, meaningful and challenging to ensure high academic standards. Teachers are passionate, inspirational and engage the learner by reflective, contemporary practice. Our teachers are active learners who strive to develop expert practice as a part of their learning mindset; and
11. A.B. Paterson College will continue to act with integrity, seeking excellence in all that we do and at all times remaining true to its Founding Principles.
It is assumed that the College will remain within its existing networks, such as ISQ, APS and AHISA, but will also consider other networks and Associations to further our objectives.
A.B. Paterson College
Mission To challenge the individual to achieve, and to act with purpose and character
Vision To develop young men and women of character – leaders now and for the future.
Statement of Purpose
To be a leader in education for young men and women:
■ A leader in educational pedagogy;
■ A leader in the development of outstanding educators;
■ A College in which students and staff feel supported and encouraged to achieve their very best;
■ A College that contributes to humanity through the development of individuals with a strong sense of purpose, wisdom, character, and the required leadership skills to transform society for the betterment of all;
■ A College that supports and provides meaningful contributions to society as a consequence of its Excellence, Care and Commitment to all in the community.
