hills international college - hills.qld.edu.au · hills international college ... yr 10-12...

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HILLS INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

STRATEGIC Plan 2010-2015

INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Strategic Plan Hills Educational Foundation (HEF), comprising Hills International College (HIC), Hills Language College (HLC), and Hills Golfing Academy (HGA), is committed to realising its vision for its future, and for its students. The Strategic Plan for the next 5 years identifies the vision for the 3 separate components of HEF. 1.2 The Process The Hills Educational Foundation Strategic Plan provides a structure for future planning, goal setting, action, and decision-making. The plan is one element in an evolving process of consultation, planning, and reviewing that is intrinsic to our College policy. 1.3 College Vision

Hills Motto: ‘Foresight, Fraternity, and Fortitude’

Hills Vision: ‘Educating Global Citizens’ for marketing material

Mission: Hills College aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and resilient young people who achieve their potential, within a school environment encouraging intercultural understanding and respect for all. To achieve this, Hills College curriculum is rigorous and relevant to the 21st century learner, embracing research-based principles and using interactive and collaborative technologies that together form a practical framework to maximize learning opportunities for every student enrolled in our college, with a diverse range of pathways for its graduates. To carry out this mission, Hills College:

Appreciates our students’ learning styles to support their strengths and talents so they are excited by learning and supported in their attainment of achievable learning goals

Develops a sense of belonging to an inclusive community where international mindedness is lived as well as proclaimed.

Fosters the development of a sense of responsibility to the wider community, and a commitment to work for justice

Seeks to engender personal growth and confidence in one's own talents, where efforts and achievement are recognised and celebrated

Values: The members of the College community will aspire to uphold the Hills College values, to: Live with Compassion, Act with Integrity, Work with Diligence, Strive for Success

Personal attributes Values Integrity Respect

Community attributes Participation Commitment Safety Belonging

Educational attributes International perspective Literacy, Numeracy, Technology Communication skills The ability to apply knowledge Interdisciplinary perspective

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SUMMARY OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES PERCENTAGE OF TARGET ACHIEVED

7/12 10/13

Goal 1 – Ensure a range and quality of academic subject choices and extra-curricular activities, which are delivered expertly, to maximise opportunities and develop a focus on academic excellence (especially in the senior years)

Objective 1 : Develop programmes to meet the specific needs of students in various stages of their development 25% 50%

Objective 2 : Develop further pathway options for students in the Senior Phase of Learning, in attaining a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

50%

75%

Objective 3 : Adopt pedagogically strong curriculum frameworks to teach content as prescribed by the Australian National Curriculum

25% 25%

Objective 4 : Encourage students to undertake sporting and extra-curricular activities such as music, debating, dance etc 50% 50%

Goal 2 – Continue to develop a thriving community of international students and provide opportunities for domestic students and staff to obtain experience of other cultures

Objective 5 : Establish procedures to promote the well-being of international students and their acceptance by domestic students

- 25%

Objective 6 : Ensure compliance with all legislation pertaining to international students, including CRICOS and HLC requirements

100% 100%

Goal 3 – Promote a sense of belonging by emphasising the P-12 nature of the College, rather than the divisions within it.

Objective 7 : Ensure all staff are embracing the philosophy of the PYP, by involvement in the PYP Exhibition and Expos 50% 50%

Objective 8 : Develop and implement personal/leadership development programs that promotes the College’s values 25% 50%

Goal 4 – Recognise the fact that distinctive competency flows from the skills and motivation of our staff, through the implementation of an effective human resource management plan.

Objective 9 : Develop the ‘essential agreements’ for staff 100% 100%

Objective 10 : Ensure important policies are written and administered across relevant sections of the College (assessment policies, bullying policies etc)

75% 90%

Objective 11 : Ensure Professional Development opportunities are available for staff 75% 90%

Objective 12 : Develop a Staff Induction process and an effective Staff Appraisal system 75% 75%

Goal 5 – Ensure the long-term financial viability of the College so as to provide a platform for future development and security for our wider community and stakeholders.

Objective 13: Ensure the College continues to operate within financial parameters. We recognise this should become relatively easier as student numbers continue to grow.

- 50%

Objective 14: Develop additional sources of income 50% 75%

Goal 6 – Develop suitable physical resources and buildings to reflect contemporary programme offerings at Hills International College

Objective 15: Build new classrooms to increase offerings, such as new Science buildings and Home Economics facilities - -

Objective 16: Build a multi-purpose centre for assemblies, sports activities, drama and dance productions etc - -

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STAGE 4. OPERATIONALISE

Apply actions and key performance indicators to achieve goals and assess outcomes

Goal 1 – Ensure a range and quality of academic subject choices and extra-curricular activities, which are delivered expertly, to maximise opportunities and develop a focus on academic excellence (especially in the senior years)

Objective 1 : Develop programmes to meet the specific needs of students in various stages of their development

ACTIONS KPI’S PERSON RESPONSIBLE

Introduce Yr 7-9, Yr 10-12 Coordinators

Appoint Head of Primary Years

Develop a Summer School Program targeting students requiring academic assistance as a result of NAPLAN and reporting feedback

Improved care for students in secondary Monitor levels of satisfaction on teacher surveys and parents surveys Improved support for primary years community Meet requirements of PYP authorisation recommendations Improved retention of students from Year 6 to Year 7 to Year 8 Improved individual performances in NAPLAN and external testing Greater degree of success in transition from Year 11 to Year 12

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Objective 2 : Develop further pathway options for students in the Senior Phase of Learning, in attaining a Queensland Certificate of Education


Introduce career options and pathways for year 10-12 students

Decrease in number of OP eligible students Increase number of students completing Certificate courses, Traineeships, etc

Principal Careers Counsellor

Objective 3 : Adopt pedagogically strong curriculum frameworks to teach content as prescribed by the Australian National Curriculum


Introduce Curriculum Framework for Years 7-12

Continue to develop Primary years curriculum structure within the PYP framework, whilst rolling out the ANC

Monitor levels of satisfaction on teacher surveys and parents surveys Improved ‘academic care’ for students in secondary Improved support for primary years community Meet requirements of PYP authorisation recommendations Improved retention of students from Year 6 to Year 7 to year 8

Curriculum Coordinator Principal Deputy Principal Principal CEO Principal PYP Coordinator

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Objective 4 : Encourage students to undertake extra-curricular activities such as music, debating, dance etc


Focus key staff on encouraging and tracking student participation

Improve Secondary School Wednesday ‘Activities’

Interact more often with Townsvale schools

Increased participation rates Increased interaction with collegiate schools Increased opportunities for Secondary students Greater degree of organised activities Involve local ISQ schools, such as Tamborine Mountain College and Kooralbyn International College Increased opportunities for Primary students Hosting of Townsvale events at Hills

Deputy Principal Physical Education Coordinator Arts Coordinator Principal Deputy Principal Physical Educator Coordinator Primary Years Coordinator Primary Physical Educator Coordinator

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Goal 2 – Continue to develop a thriving community of international students and provide opportunities for domestic students and staff to obtain experience of other cultures

Objective 5 : Establish procedures to promote the well-being of international students and their acceptance by domestic students


Increase profile of ‘International-Mindedness’

International Days and expos Positive responses in surveys of international students and their parents Enrolment targets met in Secondary Years

Principal Deputy Principal Primary Coordinator Prefects and School student leaders Curriculum Coordinator Principal CEO Principal

Objective 6 : Ensure compliance with all legislation pertaining to international students, including CRICOS and HLC requirements


Ensure adequate time allocation and professional development of Director of Admissions and Deputy Principal

Compliance list presented on time Compliance documents approved

Principal Deputy Principal CEO Administration team

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Goal 3 – Promote a sense of belonging by emphasising the P-12 nature of the College, rather than the divisions within it

Objective 7 : Ensure all staff are embracing the philosophy of the PYP, by involvement in the PYP Exhibition and Expos


Invite Secondary staff to be involved in Expos and the PYP Exhibition

Professional Development opportunities for Secondary staff

Arts teachers involved in Exhibition planning (Dance, Drama, Art and Music) Professional Development of Secondary teachers in an IBO-supportive framework

Primary Coordinator PYP Coordinator Deputy Principal Art Faculty Coordinator Principal PYP Coordinator

Objective 8 : Develop and implement personal/leadership development programs that promotes the College’s values


Design a student leadership program that is ongoing

Provide opportunities for staff as Leading Teachers and Middle Managers across all Year Levels

Prefects seen to have a greater role on campus and in dormitory Appointment of key middle management positions, and for Leading Teachers to be appointed after Senior Teacher status is held for a minimum of 2 years

Principal Deputy Principal Dormitory Supervisors Principal CEO

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Goal 4 – Recognise the fact that distinctive competency flows from the skills and motivation of our staff, through the implementation of an effective human resource management plan.

Objective 9 : Develop the ‘essential agreements’ for staff


Essential Agreements document to be developed and implemented, in a Hills College Staff Handbook

Increased professionalism amongst staff College policies clear and implemented

Principal Deputy Principal Primary Coordinator

Objective 10 : Ensure important policies are written and administered across relevant sections of the College (assessment policies, bullying policies etc)


Policies to be written

Policies clear and applied

Principal Deputy Principal CEO Administration team

Objective 11 : Ensure Professional Development opportunities are available for staff


Professional Development opportunities on campus to be increased

Continue to promote external sources of Professional Development, especially those offered and supported by IBO, AISQ, QSA and ACARA

Increased professionalism amongst staff Increased knowledge of current educational trends of curriculum and pastoral care Teaching staff meeting QCT minimum 30 hour per annum PD PD opportunities granted by Principal

Principal Deputy Principal Primary Coordinator PYP Coordinator PA to Principal Principal Deputy Principal Primary Coordinator PYP Coordinator PA to Principal

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Objective 12 : Develop a Staff Induction process and an effective Staff Appraisal system


Staff Induction procedure to be developed

Staff Appraisal procedures to be further developed

New staff supported professionally during their first years at Hills College Staff undergo formal appraisal processes with written documentation kept on staff files

Principal Deputy Principal Heads of Faculty

Goal 5 – Ensure the long-term financial viability of the College so as to provide a platform for future development and security for our wider community and stakeholders

Objective 13: Ensure the College continues to operate within financial parameters. We recognise this should become relatively easier as student numbers continue to grow.


Further promotion of Hills College in the wider community

Set annual and long term budgets

Increased numbers to the desired 600 students Financial targets met

Principal IT Coordinator CEO

Objective 14: Develop additional sources of income


Develop a business plan to sources potential income streams

New income streams developed

CEO

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Goal 6 – Develop suitable physical resources and buildings to reflect contemporary programme offerings at Hills International College

Objective 15: Build new classrooms to increase offerings, such as new Science buildings and Home Economics facilities


Build double storey classroom facilities

Build Science Centre, Home Economics classrooms, Arts classrooms etc

Increased enrolments beyond 650 students Target enrolments exceeded

CEO CEO

Objective 16: Build a multi-purpose centre for assemblies, sports activities, drama and dance productions etc


Build a multi-purpose centre

Increased enrolments and financial stability

CEO

STAGE 5. MONITORING AND PERIODIC REVIEW

Hills College will evaluate outcomes of the Strategic plan annually

Hills College will realign, rearrange, readjust, and prioritise where necessary

STAGE 6. REINFORCEMENT

Hills College will put in to action incentives, recognition, rewards for staff, students, and customers who support the College’s strategic objectives. These will be determined through a consultation process by the senior management team of Hills Educational Foundation.

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ESSENTIAL AGREEMENTS

An International Perspective An ability to communicate and co-exist with people from other countries and cultures will be an essential ingredient for all at Hills. Communication means more than the ability to speak a foreign language. It concerns an openness to interact with others and to send and receive messages. The essential ingredient is cultural sensitivity. This sensitivity is required to accept other’s beliefs, religion, language, family, and socio-economic background, whilst recognising that we are members of an Australian society within a multi-cultural community. Our students and staff need to understand the cultures of others who have joined us from overseas.

A Futures Orientation

In today’s world, change is so frequent it has become the norm. Hills College staff will be prepared to accept change, and be encouraged to embrace it. We will prepare our students for changes that align with their principles and reflect those that are in conflict. A culture of acceptance of, and preparedness for, change will be one which equips our students (and staff) for an uncertain and exciting future.

A capacity to Work in Teams

Teamwork must be seen as much more than ‘groupwork’. Teams have a particular blend of skills and approaches that allows for the input of individuals, such that the overall influence is much more than the sum of the individual parts. This synergy must be embraced by staff who work in faculties (by collaboration with team members) and across faculties (when working on inter-disciplinary initiatives). All staff must embrace the fact that we work collaboratively in applying College policies of uniform standards, assessment deadlines, bullying, classroom management, punctuality, homework, and community values pertaining to general cleanliness and appeal, and so on. The most appealing team is the ‘self-managed team’ with the capacity to set direction, assess performance, and which can identify and harness strengths and weaknesses of team members.

The Ability to Apply Knowledge

It is imperative that staff are skilled practitioners, and are knowledgeable of subject matter. Teachers must be seen as a ‘leading light’ in their faculty areas, and must promote the positive elements of the subjects on offer at hills College. All staff must be hard-working and ‘experts in their field’.

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An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Teachers are encouraged to blend the individual ‘knowledges’ into knowledge. There is, of course, room (and the need for) specialisation, but one must seek the contributions of other discipliners in developing ‘understanding’. This will encourage us to celebrate others, and warns us about the arrogance (and igmnorance0 of the narrow professional, while equipping students with a range of skills needed to be flexible and change oriented.

Literacy, Numeracy, and communication Skills

This refers to ‘the three R’s” and an appreciation of science and technology. Students will also gain an appreciation of foreign languages through their study of Japanese to year 10. Staff are required to articulate and communicate at the highest level, and to demonstrate A level solutions and justification when teaching students. The ability to communicate ideas, feelings and knowledge are crucial for success. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills should develop hand in hand with knowledge, skills, and personal awareness. Teachers will be required to articulate ‘habits of the mind’ to students, and to encourage metacognition (i.e. encourage students to ‘think about their thinking’).

Personal Mastery and Character Based Leadership

We set ourselves the task of producing authentic leaders. As well as being change oriented and principle centred, staff are expected to hold high values, demonstrate personal professional standards of attire and demeanour, and to teach values to students at Hills. Characteristics of leaders include integrity, maturity, and the ability to recognise the contribution of others. Staff are required to recognise the greatness that lies within each of our students, and to encourage ways in which this greatness can be given the opportunity to develop and to rise to the surface.

Lifelong Learning

We must encourage students to see learning as a lifelong process – indeed staff are expected to lead the way as lifelong learners themselves. We can all learn many things from each other, research, readings, and from our leaders. The key ingredients are in interest in all fields of knowledge and a genuine enjoyment of learning. Teaching staff play a pivotal role in engaging students and are expected to foster amongst the students a genuine interest in the learning process, and to help foster the inquiring mind of our young people.

Preparation for NAPLAN and QCS

Teachers in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 play a pivotal role in preparing students for NAPLAN testing; however, all teachers are required to pay particular attention to improve student’s literacy and numeracy levels. Spelling and grammar are to be taught by all of us – it is not just the explicit domain of the English teachers. QCS preparation is to be explicitly taught by the core team of QCS teachers; but, again, all teachers are expected to embed the Common Curriculum Elements (CCE’s) into assessment, and are required to use Key Terms as often as possible. Awareness of the requirements of these types of external tests are a requirement of all teachers at the College.

hills international college - hills.qld.edu.au · hills international college ... yr 10-12...

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