ELTHAM College Our Vision (Strategic Plan)

Growing hearts and minds OUR VISION

ELTHAM COLLEGE GROWS THE HEART AND MIND OF EACH CHILD. WE BELIEVE SCHOOL IS A DARING ADVENTURE WHERE CHILDREN LEARN TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, IN PREPARATION FOR A FUTURE OF EXCITING POSSIBILITIES. LOCATED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ENVIRONMENT, STUDENTS EXPERIENCE AN ENGAGING, RIGOROUS, WORLD READY CURRICULUM WHILE BEING SUPPORTED WITH WARMTH, CARE AND RESPECT.

At

College we inspire !

ELTHAM College has eight key areas of focus, which together will “Grow the hearts and minds” of our students. Each of these acknowledge our heritage and inspire our future. They serve as a beacon to guide us, and as a reference point to remind us of our intent as we evolve and grow. We are proud to share them with you now.

A THINKING CULTURE

LIFELONG LEARNING

OUR UNIQUE

A DARING ADVENTURE

ENVIRONMENT

ENGAGED GLOBAL CITIZENS

WORLD READY

N OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

A THINKING CULTURE

The thinking culture at ELTHAM College ensures students are equipped and motivated to extend their own learning within an interdisciplinary, forward thinking, technology rich environment; a place where they can develop passions and maximise their potential.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

WORLD READY

We prepare our students for life after school. With us they develop the wisdom, confidence, optimism, curiosity, flexibility and resilience to become passionate, active and engaged citizens of our ever-changing world.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

Our students are supported by a caring community that promotes tolerance, trust and respect, from interpersonal to community relationships. The College values a strong voice in all students, which is encouraged by a culture of open minds and kind ears.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

A DARING ADVENTURE

ELTHAM College offers students opportunities beyond the traditional academic domain, with exceptional visual and performing arts, sport, technology, hospitality, outdoor education, international exchange and intercultural connection programs that challenge and inspire.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

LIFELONG LEARNING

The ELTHAM College staff embrace excellence, encourage new ideas and foster collaboration. All staff lead by example and are committed to the culture of unlimited learning for themselves as professionals and for their students.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

OUR UNIQUE

ENVIRONMENT

ELTHAM College’s bushland setting provides a unique opportunity for students to gain respect for, and an understanding of, the natural environment. From its foundation the College has fostered a culture that aspires to sustainable and responsible practices. Coupled with our City Experience, opportunities for our students to explore different worlds are plentiful.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

ENGAGED GLOBAL CITIZENS

The College engages with our local and global community to ensure students value their place in the world, and understand their ethical and responsible contribution to that world. ELTHAM College has a vibrant and passionate parent community, who support the distinct values and spirit of the College. Past ELTHAM students, staff and families stay connected via our active alumni body. The College is also well supported by its strong relationship with the ELTHAM College Foundation.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

N OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

OUR STUDENTS The students of ELTHAM College are working with a team of young people to build a world-class leadership program. The roles delegated to our students give them responsibility for building relationships and leading by virtue of their example and service.

OUR EXECUTIVE ELTHAM College is led by a Principal and Executive team dedicated to a forward thinking program. This group embrace contemporary educational thinking with a desire to invoke change while acknowledging proven educational strategies.

OUR BOARD ELTHAM College is governed by an elected Board which is representative of the College community. It sets the direction of the College, strives to ensure sound financial management, good governance and has the flexibility and capacity to develop and support an ongoing and innovative, strategic planning agenda.

ELTHAM COLLEGE CHARTER

Strategic Plan

These six areas of focus will help us achieve our Vision to grow the hearts and minds of our students.

TEACHING AND LEARNING At ELTHAM College we are committed to out-standing learning practices that aim to maximise student intellectual and individual potential. We provide a challenging, innovative, inclusive and dynamic curriculum that promotes academic excellence and embraces life-long learning. Our teaching and learning practice is informed by strategic analysis of a

wide range of quantitative and qualitative data to optimise student achievement and develop their creative capacity.

N LIFELONG LEARNING

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

We will ensure: >> An explicit plan for an exciting differentiated curriculum >> College wide adoption of Understanding by Design (UbD) as the ELTHAM curriculum framework >> College wide adoption of Project Zero as our educational thinking paradigm >> A culture of inquiry and innovation in Teaching and Learning >> An Emotional Intelligence framework is embedded in all learning plans, so that student intellectual and personal potential is maximised >> An effective and accessible system of assessment, reporting and feedback >> A school where all staff aspire to the highest professional standards and performance

LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL GROWTH ELTHAM’S ongoing success will be measured in regards to how effectively we lead and organise our community to pursue our Charter. We optimise the effectiveness of our community, programs and processes in all educational and non-educational aspects of the school.

Research has determined that leadership of students by

effective teachers, and leadership of schools by effective school leaders are key factors influencing student outcomes.

N A THINKING CULTURE

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

LIFELONG LEARNING

OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

We will ensure: >> A responsive College improvement plan >> An innovative College-wide leadership and organisational structures that optimise student, staff and ELTHAM College community leadership opportunities and outcomes >> Exciting and effective programs, policies and procedures that inspire innovation and daring challenges >> Effective and thoughtful annual reporting processes

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT When students embrace learning opportunities, engage in activities beyond the walls of their classroom, collaborate with their peers and staff, and are supported by encouraging home environments, their capacities will be realised. At ELTHAM College the classroom extends into the community, and provides opportunities for our students to be “enabled” through challenging co-curricular We will ensure:

activities, partnerships, mentoring, social enterprise and commitment to others. Therefore, a genuine participation in the co-curricular programme at ELTHAM College is a central element of the College experience.

N WORLD READY

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

LIFELONG LEARNING

>> A fully developed and exciting co-curricular program >> A culture of outreach and environmental responsibility and action >> Challenging engineering and technology options >> An inspiring public speaking, creative and performing arts program >> Wide-ranging, expertly coached sporting programs >> Multiple exchange programs and interstate and international service opportunities >> A culture where students undertake and complete innovative and engaging online courses >> A culture of innovation enablement

STRATEGIC PLAN

OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

ATTRACTING, RETAINING AND DEVELOPING STAFF ELTHAM is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding staff. The College will employ and encourage adventurous and energetic educators and educational support faculty who celebrate education in all its forms.

Our staff are inspired by, and supportive of, the work of global educational leaders and have a belief that everything is curriculum.

A professional team of highly able teachers and educational support staff, who take an active leadership

role, with shared responsibility for student learning and success, and a culture of continuous professional improvement that includes classroom-based learning, mentoring and coaching.

N EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

LIFELONG LEARNING

OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

We will ensure: >> The College enjoys a reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a leading education organisation >> World class professional learning experiences to build an outstanding teaching staff >> We have an outstanding Educational Support Staff and supporting professional development >> A supportive, fulfilling and professional environment

COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION Effective representation of our College to the broader community is integral to our continued growth and success, as is the extended experiences, support and resources to its community of members past and present.

WORLD READY

EMPOWER AND SUPPORT

A DARING ADVENTURE

ENGAGED GLOBAL CITIZENS

We will ensure: >> An effective college-wide communication process >> The extended College community (alumni, current and former families, residents of Nillumbik and friends of the College) enjoy an enhanced and supportive relationship >> A culture of philanthropy is embedded with our students, staff and the wider College community >> An effective marketing and public relations plan >> Decisions are based on robust data

PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ELTHAM College strategically utilises our physical and financial resources to meet the educational needs of our students. The Board and the College prioritise long term physical and financial sustainability to further support our aim to be the preferred independent school in north east Melbourne. ELTHAM College is a not for profit entity.

We will ensure:

As such, all income is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of students, not just today, but with a view to the future.

N A THINKING CULTURE

A DARING ADVENTURE

OUR UNIQUE

ENVIRONMENT

OUR KIND OF LEADERSHIP

>> The provision of cutting edge school facilities >> Our financial strategy is consistent with existing and future challenges >> Planning and capital works are consistent with the College’s environmental, technological and physical masterplan

STRATEGIC PLAN

Growing hearts and minds

Early Learning to VCE | 1660 Main Road Research Ph 9437 1421 | elthamcollege.vic.edu.au | registrar@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au