TAS Strategic Plan by Toowoomba Anglican School

Strategic Plan

Introduction & Overview Creating the Strategic Plan & Vision

Toowoomba Anglican School is one of Australia’s most respected coeducational, independent day and boarding schools. Toowoomba Anglican School is a friendly and inclusive environment with a rich history.

Our students are encouraged to consider their roles as global citizens, and the responsibilities and challenges that brings. We are committed to developing students who are informed about the local, national and international community, and are ready and willing to contribute to the whole of society. At TAS, every student is valued for their unique capacity to contribute to the life of the school. We are academically non-selective but all students are expected to strive for their personal best. When students leave us, they’re ready to face the challenges of the future, as confident and independent young adults.

Our approach continues to be holistic as we focus on the development of the ‘whole child’. While excellence in our ‘core business’

of teaching and learning will continue to be pursued as one of the elements that is highly valued, we also continue to strive to attain distinction through our pastoral care, cocurricular, faith-based and service learning

This Strategic Plan will acknowledge and build on past achievements but recognises the imperative of having an effective blueprint for further success which will position our students well as we advance further into the 21st century and an increasingly globalised world.

The Strategic Plan has been developed to take our school forward over the next five years, again with purposeful direction, clear vision for the future, and aspirational yet attainable goals. Consultation has taken place with key

stakeholders including workshops with Staff, Student leaders, Parents and Friends, The School Foundation, Past Students Association and the School Council.

The continued contribution, involvement and support of all members of the school community will be both essential and much valued for the full implementation of the Plan.

programmes, all of which contribute towards inspiring our young people to achieve their personal best in all areas, as well as to be considerate, compassionate, well-rounded members of society.

Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration

Toowoomba Anglican School strategic plan proudly embraces The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. We are committed to Improving educational outcomes for all young Australians is central to the nation’s social and economic prosperity and will position young people to live fulﬁlling, productive and responsible lives. The Declaration has two distinct but interconnected goals:

Goal 1: The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity

Goal 2: All young Australians become:

• conﬁdent and creative individuals

• successful lifelong learners

• active and informed members of the community.

Our vision is for a world class education system that encourages and supports every student to be the very best they can be, no matter where they live or what kind of learning challenges they may face.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 2

“Our approach continues to be holistic as we focus on the development of the ‘whole child’. ”

BELIEVE

Tohavefaith,confidence andtrustinGod,yourself andothers.

CARE

Tocareistodowhatis necessaryforthehealth, welfare,maintenanceand protectionofyourself, someoneorsomething.

Tolearnistogain knowledgeor understandingofaskill bystudy,instruction, teachingorexperience.

LEARN

Tothriveistoflourish.

Thrivingisallabout workingonyourpersonal growthandresilience.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 3 Together We ... Our Core Values

THRIVE

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 4

Points of Difference

A Coeducational School

Toowoomba Anglican School has been proudly coeducational since 1972, 50 years of girls and boys, men and women, developing a mutual respect and understanding for each other in an educational setting.

On a daily basis and in every classroom setting, you will find students working and learning together in natural settings where gender equality and opportunity is promoted. In both academic and co-curricular activities, this reflects the most realistic and authentic learning environment.

Coeducation improves the ways students think, learn and collaborate; children develop confidence, empathy, understanding and leadership, among both genders. This then also leads to friendships that develop between genders through the course of their schooling, because boys and girls share in the triumphs and the disappointments, the humour, the sadness and the challenges of adolescence.

A community of Faith and Service

TAS is proud to be an Anglican school. You can see signs of our Anglican faith and our school spirit in our emblem. Below the shield is a scroll that bears the motto Sola Nobilitus Virtus, which translates to ‘Virtue Alone Ennobles’. In plain language, this means that it is only virtue that should dictate a student’s nobility – not where they come from or their position in society.

Becoming noble in character is a lifelong journey where you will commit to moral and ethical values, compassion in serving others and contributing to your community. All students at TAS are expected to play an active role within the community as a part of their ‘character’ education. To develop the students’ understanding of Anglican faith and life, we offer a range of opportunities for personal growth and community service.

A Day and Boarding School

‘A school where children live, becomes a home’. Boarding lies at the heart of Toowoomba Anglican School and it is the special relationships between boarders, their families and staff that sets the tone for all relationships across TAS.

If you have never experienced a school with boarding, than you are missing out. By its very nature, the pastoral care in boarding must be exemplary. The care, attention, and culture filters through the whole school to children of all ages. At Toowoomba Anglican School, key members of the senior leadership reside on campus with their families. This reinforces the culture of family boarding within our community.

Together We Are TAS

Toowoomba Anglican School prides itself on being a school and community where both primary and secondary students have regular and natural interactions, whether that be while having lunch in the dining room, or kicking a ball on the oval. TAS has implemented intentional programs where older students are tasked with supporting, mentoring and nurturing our younger students. In both our Sporting and Performing Arts arenas you will see a cross section of primary and secondary coaching, competing, and performing together, as one.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 5

The world is our classroom at TAS.

"

Points of Difference

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

At TAS, students from kindergarten through to Year 12 have a wide range of opportunities available to them. With over 15 fixture based sports on offer and 40 plus ensembles, band and choirs, students at Toowoomba Anglican School have ever opportunity to realise their potential outside with classroom. Students participate in annual camps, tours and excursions to help enhance the curriculum. Leading initiatives, such as the Gateway Program, Options Program and the Thrive Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Program allow students to experience real-world situations in a safe and nurturing setting.

Character Education

Toowoomba Anglican School believes that the purpose of school is not simply to prepare young people for a life of tests, but more importantly to prepare them for the tests of life. Character education, when taught well, will empower and liberate young people, and help them respond to the modern, day to day challenges they face. By adopting an Aristotelian virtue ethics approach, character education should enable young people to develop character virtues and practical wisdom, which helps them decide what to do when faced with moral dilemmas. The following virtues (among others): courage, kindness, justice, honesty, compassion, self-discipline, gratitude and humanity are developed at TAS.

Future Focused Facilities

With the implementation of a Master Plan based on future focused learning, current and new buildings are developed with student learning at the forefront. An integral component of the school’s pedagogical framework is creating a learning space that isn’t restrictive, but instead, allows the students to feel relaxed and comfortable and in turn, allows them to be receptive to what is being taught.

Learning spaces have moved beyond traditional building design to create unique learning space for our students. These contemporary learning spaces will take students out of the traditional classroom structure so that they can collaborate with others or work independently. Designed with multiple breakout spaces our classrooms allow greater freedom and opportunity for students to collaborate and think independently.

Community Networks

Toowoomba Anglican School has a long standing relationship with the education ad business community. These networks have been fostered to help provide our students and staff with a wide range of professional opportunities.

The school is a long standing member of the following organisations: Chamber of Commerce, the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise group, Independent Schools Queensland, Australian Boarding Schools Australia, Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia, Boarding Schools Association (UK).

Toowoomba Anglican School students take part in regular excursions and networking events at major Queensland Universities and Residential Colleges and we have hosted a number of tertiary expos annually. The school also has a number of networks with local and national apprenticeship for students wishing to take a vocational pathways.

Toowoomba Anglican School has historical relationship with number of leading schools globally, including in the UK, Japan, China.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 6

We are a regional school with global connections.

Strategic Pillars

Student Wellbeing:

At Toowoomba Anglican School our aim is each student is known, known for who they are and who they wish to become as a person.

Teaching and Learning:

At Toowoomba Anglican School students engage in an innovative and holistic curriculum.

Pillar 1. Student Wellbeing

STRATEGY

At Toowoomba Anglican School our aim is each student is known, known for who they are and who they wish to become as a person.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• Students feel welcomed, accepted and supported.

• Students feel comfortable approaching staff and other students.

• Students feel emotionally and physically safe.

• Students know who they can speak to when issues arise.

• Students are willing and open to helping each other.

• Concerns and feedback is responded to appropriately.

• Teachers are approachable and supportive.

Sport, Arts and Extra-Curricular:

To foster participation in a wide range of extra-curricular pursuits including sport, performing arts, culture and service.

Community, Faith & Service:

Toowoomba Anglican School is a community of faith and service. Toowoomba Anglican School strives to be a welcoming, accessible, vibrant, family-oriented community-minded school.

Staff and Culture:

Toowoomba Anglican School values people as the most important contributor to our organisation.

Financial, Capital Works:

Toowoomba Anglican School is a financially sustainable business which provides outstanding facilities and infrastructure for its community.

Governance:

Toowoomba Anglican School is known for its active and transparent governance, active external relationships and culture of risk management and compliance.

• School attendance rates are high.

ACTIONS

1. Child protection and safety is paramount in all aspects of our school life.

2. Continue to develop a school where ‘Every child is known’ remains fundamental to all aspects of school life.

3. Continue to provide the best practice in health care for both day and boarding students.

4. Continue to develop a robust and relevant pastoral curriculum that addresses the agespecific needs of students.

5. Provide opportunities for feedback on the current strengths and ongoing successes of the wellbeing and residential life program.

6. Maintain a shared understanding of the wellbeing of students working in partnership with parents and care givers.

7. Provide age-specific wellbeing programs for our student population.

8. Create specific learning spaces within the boarding and learning environments for both Primary and Secondary students.

9. Continue to build lasting relationships and connections with our families and communities.

10. Continue partnerships with leading providers of pastoral care to compliment the school curriculum.

11. To continue to develop the best practice staffing model to support student wellbeing.

12. Respond appropriately to wellbeing concerns raised.

13. Continued professional development for staff on student wellbeing.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 7

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 8

Teaching & Learning

STRATEGY

At Toowoomba Anglican School students engage in an innovative and holistic curriculum.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• Students are highly engaged at their individual levels.

• Communication between the school/teachers to both parents and students is clear and concise.

• Curriculum delivery is innovative

• Consistent pedagogical approach across all teaching staff, year levels and subject areas.

• Curriculum is delivered by both outside experts and classroom teachers.

ACTIONS

1. ReviewthebenefitsoftheACARAincomparisontootherleadingprogramssuchas InternationalBaccalaureate.

2. TodevelopaleadingTASStudentLearnerProfileonlinemanagementsystem.

3. Continuetodevelopasuiteofmicrocredentialsforourstudentstoattain.

4. Buildprofessionalrelationshipswithotherexcellentcoeducationalschools.

5. ContinuetogrowaneffectivetransitionprogramforYear6intoYear7.

6. MaintainaclearDigitalLearningframeworkandphilosophy.

7. Exploredifferentapproachestoworking,creatingandmanaginglearningspaces.

8. DevelopDesignandTechnology,withanincreasedrepresentationofenterprise,entrepreneurialand criticalthinking.

9. ContinuetobetheleadingproviderinKindergarteneducation.

10. Continueanin-depthtransitionprocessesfromKindytoFoundation.

11. Examinefurtheropportunitiesforcross-curricularandinterdisciplinaryapproachestoteachingand learning.

12. FurtherdeveloptheYear2–12OutdoorEducationexperiencesasacorepartofcurriculum.

13. Continuetoenhancewaystousedatatoinformlearningandteaching.

14. Continuetoworkwithparentsandstudentstoreviewtheapproachtohomework/homelearning.

15. Continuetoprovideappropriatepathways,includingtheannualreviewofsubjectsselectionsto ensurepathwaysareunderstood,realisticandopen.

16. ContinuetosupportstudentprogresstowardsachievingtheQueenslandCertificateofEducation (QCE)andATARsystems.

17. FurtherdevelopUniversitypartnerships.

18. ContinuetodevelopacareerpathwayprogramincorporatingStudentLearnerPlans,entrepreneurial opportunitiesandworkexperience.

19. Continuetorefineanddevelopourlearningenhancementprogramsincludinglearningsupportand giftedandtalentedprogramsforstudentstodeveloptheirtalentsinandoutoftheclassroom.

20. Provideongoing,regularandrelevantthreeway(parent,schoolandstudent)communicationand feedback.

21. Providesubjectandthemedworkshopstoassistparents.

22. Continuetoreviewbestmodelsofdaystructure.

23. Investigatetheviabilityofbeingadistanceeducationprovider.

Pillar 3. Sport, Arts & Extra-Curricular

STRATEGY

To foster participation in a wide range of extra-curricular pursuits including sport, performing arts, culture and service.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• Co-Curricular opportunities are readily available for all students.

• High percentage of students involved in sport, performing arts or both.

• Parents and teachers are supportive and visible at extra-curricular events.

• TAS has ties to external groups to support student’s interests.

• Staff involved in co-curricular are highly skilled in their area of speciality.

• TAS is well-known as a school of excellence in all areas of extra-curricular.

SPORT

1. TAS sport strategic plan link can be found here. A summary of the plan is below.

2. To continue to develop a ‘Sport for Life’ approach to our programs.

3. To provide appropriate funding to support facilities, equipment, coaching and uniform for existing and future programs.

4. To continue to have a structured committee approach in all core sports.

5. Continue to review engagement of sporting and cultural organisations and associations to ensure best fit for school and students (e.g. Toowoomba Primary School Sports Association, Toowoomba Secondary School Sports Association, Darling Downs School Sport, Andrews Cup, Anglican Schools Music Festival, Art Shows, Queensland Coeducational Independent Schools Association).

6. Continue to work with coeducational schools, particularly within the Darling Downs, for sport, cultural and academic engagement.

7. Support students who play sports outside of the ‘core’ school sports.

8. Support students who play sports at an elite level with a high performance pathway program.

9. Provide ongoing best practice professional development opportunities for coaches, coach volunteers and tutors.

10. Provide a robust sporting program that provides for all age groups across key times of the week and the year.

11. To educate parents and coaches on the benefits of winning and losing.

THE ARTS

1. To continue to develop a lifelong love of the Arts.

2. To aim to be the leading co-education provider of Performing Arts in the region.

3. Continue to review engagement of cultural organisations and associations to ensure best fit for school and students (e.g. Anglican Schools Music Festival, Art Shows, Queensland Coeducational Independent Schools Association).

4. Provide a robust performing arts activities program that provides for all age groups across key times of the week and the year.

5. Continue to promote the strengths of the Performing Arts Centre of Excellence, School musicals, Eisteddfod programs, Art Exhibition and Drama showcases.

6. To develop partnerships with leading centres of artistic excellence such as QPAC, The Empire Theatre

EXTRA- CURRICULAR

1. Provide a robust extra-curricular and service activities program that provides for all age groups across key times of the week and the year.

2. Develop an educationally relevant and financially sustainable Tour Program including sport, performing arts, culture, curriculum and service.

3. Review and manage student participation in the extracurricular programs to ensure balance and wellbeing.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 9 Pillar 2.

Community, Faith & Service

STRATEGY

Toowoomba Anglican School is a community of faith and service. Toowoomba Anglican School strives to be a welcoming, accessible, vibrant, family-oriented community-minded school.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• TAS is proudly known as a school of faith

• Communities members from different faiths and cultures are welcomed and embraced.

• Both Boarding and Day families have an evident connection and support each other.

• Staff, students and parents actively support and are involved in service within the community.

• TAS has a strong connection with its supporting bodies (P&F, Alumni, Foundation).

ACTIONS (FAITH)

1. Employ a School Chaplain who has a strong understanding of our school community.

2. Continue to enhance relationships with our brother and sister schools within the Anglican community.

3. Develop ongoing and strong relationships with the local parish community and enable our students to access spiritual opportunities beyond the school walls.

4. Explore further alignment of Chapel programs and messaging across years K – 12.

5. Continue to have opportunities for student led Chapel programs.

6. To continue to lead a relevant and rigorous Religious Education Program for Years K – 12.

7. Continue to maintain the professional development of staff on the Anglican Faith.

8. Promote the teachings of the Anglican Ethos in the classroom.

9. Provide and support opportunities for Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and Weddings.

ACTIONS (SERVICE)

1. All TAS students will make a meaningful contribution to the service programs.

2. Through the TAS Colours Program system provide numerous opportunities for students to embrace service as part of their daily lives.

3. Consult with charities and service providers to better understand the needs of the partners.

4. Investigate opportunities for senior students to participate in a mission program that will support a community in need.

5. To maintain and build on the current strength of our Student Representative Council in both the Primary Years and Secondary Years.

6. Continue to develop the Duke of Edinburgh Service component of the award scheme.

ACTIONS (COMMUNITY)

1. Develop a best practice model of keeping past students engaged and revitalise the engagement of younger past students.

2. Maintain strong and meaningful relationships with external businesses and community groups including Chamber of Commerce, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise, Toowoomba Regional Council.

3. The School Foundation will continue to develop a culture of philanthropy and fundraising within the wider community to support both the building and scholarship projects within the School.

4. To maintain an accurate data base to help connect with past families.

5. To maintain high quality archives and present the school history to a wider audience.

6. To promote the use of school facilities by local community groups.

7. Parents and Friends will maintain a strong association that supports the current students and is both a community minded organisation as well as a fundraising group.

8. Continue to coordinate all support bodies to act in the best interests of the School and common goals.

9. To continue to engage and support volunteers. Explore engagement with the community within the small business realm (Chamber of Commerce, Australian Business Week, Anglican Church, Toowoomba & Surat Basin Enterprise)).

11. Maintain the traditions and heritage of the School and build relevant and new traditions where appropriate.

12. Continue to let all members of the community know and understand that they are an important part of the heritage of the School.

Pillar 5. Staff & Culture

STRATEGY

Toowoomba Anglican School values people as the most important contributor to our organisation.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• Staff have a sense of belonging and ownership.

• Staff are aspirational and consistently looking for innovative ways to improve their area of speciality.

• Parents have an open and positive relationship with staff.

• All Staff embody and believe in the core values of the School.

ACTIONS

1. Grow staff capacity to be responsive to future and new developments in education fostering a lifelong learning culture.

2. Continue to encourage and support all staff’s growth through appropriate and relevant professional development, including Higher Education, and other avenues towards personal career objectives and organisational goals.

3. Staff are linked into relevant networks e.g. AHISA, Subject based networks, online and collaborative networks.

4. Continue to maintain positive relationships with national support groups such as Independent Primary School Heads of Australia, Anglican Schools Commission, Educate Plus, Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association, Association of Heads of Independent Schools and Australian Boarding Schools Association.

5. Maintain a leadership structure that continues to meet the needs of curriculum, students, staff and parents.

6. Continue to foster a distributed leadership approach so staff at TAS are given the skills and autonomy to make key decisions in their areas of responsibility. This autonomy is central to empowering staff and giving them ownership of their work.

7. To continue to develop staff wellbeing and collegiality by creating more central common spaces

8. Continue to be a school where staff promotion (both internal and external to the organisation) is celebrated.

9. Have relevant and rigorous processes of staff recruitment and be regarded as a school of choice amongst the teaching community.

10. Develop the capacity of parents to support the pastoral and academic programs.

11. Strengthen relationships with the Qld Universities and other tertiary institutions in preservice teacher training.

12. Quality teaching will be referenced by the AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) Professional Standards for Teachers.

13. Further develop best practice staff annual appraisal process.

14. Follow the best practices of human resource management.

15. Performance improvement to manage underperformance to help improve standards.

16. To be recognised as an employer of choice.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 10 Pillar

Financial, Capital Works

STRATEGY

Toowoomba Anglican School is a financially sustainable business which provides outstanding facilities and infrastructure for its community.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• The School has sustainable financial management.

• The facilities are well maintained.

• Resources are readily available and accessible.

• Parents, students, and staff take pride in the facilities and resources available.

• The campus master plan reflects the needs of current and future generations.

• ACTIONS

1. School Council and Management achieves sustainable financial results that meet the fiveyear financial plan and the school’s strategic objectives.

2. To develop in consultation with leading architects and landscape architects the next phases of the school’s master plan.

3. All learning spaces are equipped with premium furniture, equipment and tech.

4. Effectively manage supplier contracts to improve service delivery and value for money.

5. Comply with all statutory and legislative requirements.

6. Use a risk-based approach to allocating financial and physical resources referencing appropriate Anglican Finance (ANFIN) benchmarks.

7. Continually review financial models based on existing and unexpected scenarios.

8. Maintain the capacity to meet any fiscal, economic and lawful changes.

9. Investigate potential appropriate hire agreements for school facilities.

10. Maintain high quality learning environment and play spaces.

11. Ensure the learning environment in JH Fairfax Library matches the desire for it to be a Learning Centre, not just a library.

12. Increase the use of the Discovery Centre by the Prep Years and other year levels during the school day.

13. Continue to update the School’s Maintenance Plan to enable planning for ongoing and cyclical maintenance needs.

14. Plan for the sustainable use of water, electricity and other resources.

15. Exploration of additional car parking solutions.

16. Renovate Connal building, upper floors and lower western side to include admin, exterior, additional learning spaces and staff common areas.

17. Develop Queenies to be a more beautifully landscaped area accessible to more students and the community, to include kitchen gardens, pathways, outdoor learning spaces.

18. Add changing rooms to the area below the pavilion.

19. Development of 51 Wirra Wirra St to include changing rooms, sport storage, classroom space, kiosk, fitness centre

20. Upgrading smith oval and gill courts with flood lights to increase training capacity into the evening.

21. Haddington street – boarding residence or Performing Arts spaces

Pillar 7. Governance STRATEGY

Toowoomba Anglican School is known for its active and transparent governance, active external relationships and culture of risk management and compliance.

EVIDENCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PILLAR

• Policies and Procedures are transparent and easily accessible to all.

• The community has a clear understanding of the strategic vision and plans for the school.

• Parents, staff and governing bodies have a clear understanding of their role within the school and are supportive of each other.

STRATEGY (SCHOOL COUNCIL)

1. Establish and maintain a School Council skills matrix.

2. Actively engage in succession planning for School Council, seeking out future School Council members with the appropriate commitment and skills for Council and its Sub-Committees.

3. Maintain, and regularly review the Charter and activities of, the Finance, Audit & Compliance Sub-Committee, Building, Grounds & Marketing Sub-Committee and any other subcommittees that may be required from time to time.

4. Regularly monitor progress against the school’s strategic plan and conduct an annual review of the plan.

5. Regularly monitor school performance against the annual budget and approve the budget for the forthcoming year.

6. Regularly communicate to the school and wider community the school’s strategies, progress and successes.

7. Through the Chair or a substitute, attend meetings and functions of external groups such Anglican Schools Commission, Independent Schools Queensland, school support groups, and the wider community.

8. Regularly evaluate School Council’s performance and the performance of senior management.

9. Engage in appropriate professional development focussing on school governance.

10. Actively engage in succession planning for senior management.

11. Support senior management in enhancing their skills.

12. Involve senior management in the activities of School Council and its Committees.

13. Document and maintain appropriate internal controls for the financial, personnel, and educational activities of the school.

14. Embed a culture of risk management and compliance in all aspects of school operations.

15. Implement the School’s Strategic and Action Plan, report on progress, and at least annually review the plan for discussion with the School Council.

16. Produce the annual budget, report progress against it, and provide reforecasts during the year as required.

17. Through the Head of School or a substitute, attend meetings and functions of external groups such Anglican Schools Commission, Independent Schools Queensland, school support groups, and the wider community.

2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN 11 Pillar 6.