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A FOCU S ON FUTURE

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T H E S T R AT E G I C D I R E C T I O N

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A FOCU S ON FUTURE

This document is intended to inform the de-velopment of our school as we evolve to meet the changing needs of our students, faculty and community over the next five years. It

builds on a strong history of research-based approaches to student-centred education and frames important de-cisions about facilities, faculty and policy.

A Woodleigh education provides more than just an excellent academic preparation for the fu-ture. It offers a journey of experiential learning and discovery which prepares each individual for the

challenges of life beyond school. Today, students need more than just a strong academic base – they need trans-ferable skills – adaptability, self-motivation and confi-dence. They need the ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively, to solve problems creatively, to integrate and navigate new media literacies and think critically about issues at a local and global level.

Academic study at Woodleigh is innovative, targeted and structured to consolidate core literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills. It complements an inten-tionally broad and challenging range of co-curricular studies and experiences. Our assessment is purposeful and learning opportunities are personalised to engage every individual in a journey that excites them.

Strong connections exist between our Pastoral and Ac-ademic Programs. The relationships students form with their teachers and Homestead tutors are vital. These re-lationships and understandings encourage meaningful dialogue about goal setting, growth, achievement and self-awareness.

It is critical that we at Woodleigh School continue to evolve so as to best equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life beyond school. This strategic plan formalises our commitment to the pursuit of best practice contemporary education and the holistic development of all students.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO EVOLVE SO AS TO BEST EQUIP

STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED

IN LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL.

JONATHAN WALTER – Principal

OU R K E Y DR IVER M U ST BE TO ENSURE TH AT W E A R E E D U C ATI N G O U R C H I LD R EN FOR TH E I R FU T U R E S , N OT O U R PA S T

OUR PURPOSEWE ARE THE HUB OF A DYNAMIC LEARNING COMMUNITY. We are a forward-thinking, creative, contemporary school with academically rigorous programs and challenge in every part of the curriculum. At Woodleigh, students discover and follow passions, grow in a culture of mutual respect, cultural freedom and inclusion.

OUR VIS IONWE ARE A LEADER OF INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE LEARNING. We support the development of the whole child through a broad experiential educational program.

OUR VALUES

• Respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment

• The determination to strive for personal best

• A willingness to innovate

• A commitment to encourage and develop creativity

OUR CULTURE

• We care for and support each individual and their learning

• We provide a positive and collaborative working environment

• We aspire to be our best in every situation

• We celebrate diversity

• We serve others and work hard to make a positive contribution to the world

• We embrace a sustainable future, whilst striving to reduce our impact on the natural environment

• We embrace change positively, foster independence and nurture curiosity and innovation

• We encourage, support and empower students to become lifelong self-directed learners

TEXT NEEDS WORK

F IV ES T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S1. TO STRENGTHEN OUR CREATIVE AND

ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS LEARNING PROGRAM

2. TO DEVELOP RESILIENT STUDENTS

3. TO BUILD A CONNECTED COMMUNITY

4. CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXPERT TEACHING TEAM

5. FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND UPGRADE OF QUALITY ENVIRONMENTS AND LEARNING RESOURCES

5

STAFF AND S T U D E N T S S T R I V I N G F O R EXCELLENCE

TOMORROW• Targeted differentiation and support for

individual growth

• Individualised learning pathways for all students

• Technology supporting differentiated learning delivery, learning styles and ability, and future career directions

• A focus on learning skills for life

• One school with embedded cross-campus teaching and learning programs

TODAY• An academically rigorous program with staff

and students each striving for excellence

• Experiential, real, applied learning embedded throughout the curriculum

• Opportunities for alternative courses, certificates and pathways – VETiS, SBAT etc.

• The development of new pedagogies through team teaching and collaboration

• Using the Activities Program to find students’ passions and broaden the educational experience

• Broadening Horizons experiences and exchanges, both local and global

YESTERDAY• A reputation for innovation and creativity

based on research

• Putting students at the core of all learning experiences

• The willingness to try something new and to learn from our mistakes

• A school focused on individual student needs

• Relationships between students and teachers which set the school apart

A CREATIVE AND ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS LEARNING PROGRAM1.

AT WOODLEIGH SCHOOL, WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN LEARN. WE ALSO KNOW THAT THEY WON’T ALL LEARN AT THE SAME PACE, OR IN THE SAME WAY.BY FOCUSING ON THE INTERESTS, STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS WE ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND EXCITE YOUNG MINDS, AND DEVELOP THEIR LOVE OF LEARNING.

W E A R E A PL AC E W H E R E S T U D E N T S D I SCOV E R A N D F O L LOW

THEIR PA SS ION S, WHERE THEY GROW INA CULTURE OF RESPECT, CULTUR AL FREEDOM A N D I N C LU S I O N

DEVELOPING RESILIENT STUDENTS .A WOODLEIGH EDUCATION HELPS

YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE MORE HUMAN IN AN INCREASINGLY TECHNICAL WORLD.INTERWOVEN ACADEMIC AND PASTOR AL CARE PROGR AMS BUILD RESPECTFUL AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND STAFF – CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS HAVE THE PERMISSION TO TRY NEW THEORIES, TO FAIL, STRUGGLE, LEARN AND ACHIEVE.

YESTERDAY• “We ought never do for young people

what they, with a struggle, could be expected to be doing for themselves.”

TODAY• Specialist targeted support for groups of

individuals

• Student profiling, goal setting and reflection

• Responding to the increased demand for family support

• Targeted learning experiences focused on developing resilience

• Responding to needs identified by students and parents

TOMORROW• Developing a sequential wellness program

throughout the schooling experience

• Using data to drive the development of proactive programs

• Actively build a sense of belonging and connection within the community

• Proactive development of skill strengths

W E PA RT N E R WITH FAMIL IES TO R AISE YOUNG ADULTS W H O H AV E A W E L L

D E V E LO P E D SENSE OF THEMSELVES AND A TRUE UNDERSTANDING

OF THEIR VALUES

TOMORROW• Increasingly targeted communication

to parents

• Development of a strong and committed Alumni

• Establishment of a philanthropic foundation to support future developments

• Utilizing our community to share experience and expertise

• Work to make our community more inclusive

• Build on and develop new partnerships with other Schools and Universities

• Connecting Woodleigh students both locally and globally

YESTERDAY• Conceived, developed and built by

the community

• A strong sense of belonging

• A strong sense of student ownership and pride

TODAY• Partnered with parents in the care and

development of their children

• Providing space and events to connect families so that they may share experiences and insights

• Developing partnerships with other communities

3.EDUCATION AT WOODLEIGH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL AND FAMILIESTHE NEXT PHASE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT WILL FOCUS ON NEW WAYS TO INVOLVE PARENTS, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS IN THE LIFE OF THE SCHOOL AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

E XPERT T E A C H E R S CO M M IT TE D

TO THE G ROW TH

O F E A C H CHILD

TOMORROW• Teams of teachers sharing and collaborating

locally and globally

• Empowering staff to be leaders of learning within the school

• A focus on internal professional development programs supported by learning coaches

• A long-term strategic professional learning approach for all staff

• Staff striving to support the development and growth of individual pathways for all students

TODAY• Collaborative teams

• Passionate and committed staff

• Well-resourced individual professional learning opportunites

• Autonomy and responsibility

YESTERDAY• Hand-picked expert, talented staff

• Committed students

• Teaching your passion

AN E X PERTTEACHING

TEAM

EDUCATION IS A CONTINUALLY EVOLVING PR ACTICE.NEW TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH BASED METHODS AND LEARNING AREAS MEAN THAT CONTINUOUS, STR ATEGIC SKILL DEVELOPMENT IS A MUST FOR OUR STAFF.WOODLEIGH SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO THE GROWTH OF EVERY TEACHER THROUGH COLLABOR ATIVE PROCESSES, INNOVATION AND RESEARCH.

OUR FACIL ITIES AND L E A R N I N G E N V I RO N M E N T S S U P P O RT L E A R N I N G WH IC H I S CON N EC TED, CO L L A B O R AT I V E , P E R S O N A L I S E D, E N V I RO N M E N TA L , DIVERSE AND VARIED

TOMORROW• World-class contemporary facilities

• Open, flexible learning spaces

• Sustainable design and practices

• An integrated ICT network, supporting learning beyond the classroom

TODAY• Specialist facilities

• A strong environmental connection via farmlands and bush reserve

• Well resourced ICT

• Generously resourced teaching and learning programs

YESTERDAY• Limited facilities and resources

• Amazing spaces and gardens

• Innovative for their time

THE COMPLETION OF THE WOODLEIGH CAMPUS HOMESTEAD RENEWAL PROGR AM IS THE KEY CAPITAL WORKS PROJECT IN OUR SCHOOL’S IMMEDIATE FUTURE.OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WOODLEIGH SCHOOL IS ENGAGING IN A MAJOR RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FUTURE FACILITIES.

U N D E R P I N N I N G

T H E S E P R I O R I T I E S I S A F OC U S O N :

• C O N T I N U O U S I M P R O V E M E N T

• E M B R A C I N G C H A N G E

A N D ;

• T H E D R I V E T O P R E P A R E S T U D E N T S F O R T H E I R F U T U R E S , N O T O U R P A S T

Woodleigh’s academic program is broad in its scope and detailed in its structure. Breadth is essential. It sets young people up for life, equipping them with the life skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

By embedding direct, lived, experience-driven learning throughout our curriculum, Woodleigh brings lesssons to life, encouraging engagement, curiosity and creativity.

The next five years of our development aims to cement Woodleigh School’s status as the leader in the delivery of contemporary, student-centred learning.

AT T H E H E A RT O F WO O D L E I G H E D U C AT I O N I S O U R CO M M I T M E N T TO T H E H O L I S T I C D E V E LO PM E N T OF E VERY INDIV IDUAL W I T H I N O U R S C H O O L , W I T H I N A F R A M E W O R K THAT ENCOU R AG ES INNOVATION

A N D C R E AT I V I T Y.

MINIMBAH CAMPUS 3YO ECC – Y63 Minimbah Cour t, Frankston South(03) 9788 6488

PENBANK CAMPUS 3YO ECC – Y6460 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc(03) 5978 8425

WOODLEIGH CAMPUS YEAR 7–12485 Golf Links Road, Langwarrin South(03) 5971 6100

woodleigh.vic.edu.au