- 2025 Today’s Boys, Men for Tomorrow
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023
Acknowledgement of Country
St Mary’s College respectfully acknowledges and pays respects to the traditional custodians of this land, the Giabal and Jarowair peoples of the Western Wakka Wakka Nation who long before us, live and learned, loved and raised their children on this land.
Let us sense the land beneath our feet, acknowledge to whom it belongs, and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.
For we too are one in land, one spirit, one in faith united in God’s love.
In the words of the Wakka Wakka language,
Let us all strive for the crown
“Yah-naan-day gum-bah ngay”
About Us
St Mary’s College, Toowoomba, is a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition for boys in Years 5 to 12.
At St Mary’s College, it is our mission to empower students to be men of faith, integrity, action and excellence.
We provide boys the opportunity to achieve excellence in all areas of their holistic education guided by our Four Touchstones: Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity and Liberating Education.
At St Mary’s College, we focus on, and are specialists in, boys education, providing various relevant and modern learning experiences, as well as extracurricular activities.
Established in Toowoomba in 1899, St Mary’s College has played an integral part in educating young men in regional Queensland for 125 years.
Today’s Boys, Men for Tomorrow
Who, and what, are today’s boys and men for tomorrow? This is the theme that we wish to explore in our journey together as part of our new Strategic Plan. Our vision for the road ahead is to form today’s boys into men for tomorrow. As a school leader, this is about developing men of faith, integrity, action and excellence, equipped to take on a complex, but exciting, contemporary world beyond the walls at St Mary’s College, Toowoomba.
This three-year Strategic Plan outlines a clear path for a new vision for the College. We have sought feedback from a crosssection of the community to arrive at the plan. It is highlighted by new projects in lifelong learning, sustainability and the well-being of our staff and students; however, it cannot be achieved without co-operation with you, as partners in this work.
It is, therefore, a spirit of partnership that accompanies the plan we present to you today.
As we move into our 125th year as a College, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the wider St Mary’s College community. This is a community that knows what it is, but importantly, is open to change and improvement. We are proudly a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, and we carry the Touchstones with us on the journey ahead.
I thank you for your contribution to our plan and look forward to working with you as opportunities emerge for our young men over the next three years.
Brendan Stewart COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Vision
Today’s Boys, Men for Tomorrow.
Mission
Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition, empowering our students to be men of faith, integrity, action and excellence.
Values
The Touchstones, following Blessed Edmund’s example, help us to reflect and aim to transform the Gospel into a living reality in our community.
Our Touchstones
As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we aspire to be faithful to these four Touchstones:
Liberating Education
We open hearts and minds through quality teaching and learning experiences, so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.
Gospel Spirituality
We invite all people into the story of Jesus and strive to make His message of compassion, justice and peace a living reality within our community.
Inclusive Community
Our community is accepting and welcoming, fostering right relationships and committed to the common good.
Justice and Solidarity
We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.
Desired Future
The Leadership Group agreed on key characteristics and components that will define St Mary’s College by 2025:
Known & Acknowledged
St Mary’s College ackowledged as the standard-bearer for boys education.
Staff Development
The ongoing development of exceptional teaching staff.
Pathway Options
Extension of pathway options in academic, vocational and employment offerings for all boys.
EREA Transition
Embed the EREA touchstones and EREA membership associate status.
Inclusive Community
A welcoming, safe and inclusive community where every student is known and welcomed.
St Mary’s College Teaching & Learning Passport
Quality teaching and learning offering an engaging curriculum and future opportunities for all.
Key Enablers Include: Productive Partnerships
We will continue to develop and formalise partnerships with key Catholic, community, business and education organisations to enhance teaching and learning, and pathway options for St Mary’s College boys.
Workforce Investment
Investment in the development and retention of skilled teaching and support staff committed to the education and formation of young men at St Mary’s College.
St Mary’s College Education Foundation
Establishment of the St Mary’s College Education Foundation in partnership with the St Mary’s College Old Boys to assist the College in future education programs and resourcing.
Technology in the Classroom
Enhancement of our learning spaces using proven technologies.
Data Platforms
Integrated systems providing accurate data information and reporting on student progress.
Diocese Relationship
Collaborative working relationship with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office.
Strategic Initiatives
Learning For Life
St Mary’s College will champion lifelong learning through quality teaching and learning; empowering boys to take responsibility for their own learning and realise their potential.
To achieve this strategic priority, we will:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Strengthen our learning culture by formalising a College Teaching and Learning Framework
Implement a St Mary’s College Learning Passport
Initiate a Year 13 Program at the College
Instigate a “real-time” data learning approach for the St Mary’s College community
Maximise ATAR, QCE, Uni Entrance, VET, NAPLAN and QCIA outcomes through a focus on improvement for each student
“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” - John 10:10
Forming Our People
St Mary’s College will continue to invest in the formation of people through on-going professional development of leaders; particularly middle leaders and teachers, and through building capacity of teachers and support staff.
To achieve this strategic priority, we will:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Develop a formation program to ensure Gospel values and EREA touchstones are reflected in College life
Instigate an annual professional and pedagogical development program with a focus on improvement
Enhance the annual staff development programs for new teachers and middle leaders
Develop a St Mary’s College workforce plan with emphasis on recruitment and retention
Implement a co-curricular policy and practice for staff involvement
“I will never forget you, my people I have carved you on the palm of my hand.”
- Isaiah 49:16
Nurturing Well-being
St Mary’s College will continue to nurture the well-being of students and staff and maintain a learning environment that is safe, ensuring that every student is challenged to learn, grow and develop.
To achieve this strategic priority, we will:
1. 2.
Strengthen the use of restorative practices in the Responsible Thinking Process across the College
Implement programs to increase the capacity of students to support the mental well-being of themselves and others
3. 4. 5.
Design a program that addresses the needs of young men in the modern world, including digital footprint, respectful relationships and positive contribution
Implement training programs for staff well-being
Develop and implement an annual formation program for students involving rites of passage, camps, retreats and EREA touchstones
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25:40
Pursuing Partnerships
St Mary’s College will pursue partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance the quality of our teaching, learning and pathway options for our boys.
To achieve this strategic priority, we will:
Develop and implement a College partnership strategy with the aim of improving engagement with partners
Formalise enterprise partnerships delivering employment pathway outcomes for students
Initiate MOU agreements with girls colleges
Enhance engagement with the College Old Boys Association
Develop a St Mary’s College Service Framework to enhance student service learning opportunities
Strengthen the relationship with EREA
“If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.” - Philemon 1:17
“So they signalled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats…”
- Luke 5:7
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Ensuring Sustainability
St Mary’s College will deliver future sustainability through robust financial management, ongoing development of facilities and responsible use of resources.
To achieve this strategic priority, we will:
1.
Redevelop the College Master Plan
Complete Stage Two of the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre
Establish the St Mary’s College Education Foundation
Develop St Mary’s College Environmental Sustainability Strategy
Develop a plan to improve resourcing for Diverse Learners at the College
“For everything created by god is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” - Timothy 4:4
2. 3. 4. 5.
www.stmaryscollege.com
129 West Street Toowoomba QLD 4350
A Future Not Our Own
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.
- Bishop Ken Untener