Belvedere College S.J. Our Strategy 2016 – 2022 AMDG: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam Note from Fr. Derek Cassidy S.J. Welcome to Our Strategy 2016 – 2022, the strategic plan for Belvedere College S.J.. May we see many more years of sustainable growth together, per vias rectas and Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. Mission Statement Belvedere College S.J. is a Catholic school for boys only, under the trusteeship of the Society of Jesus. Set in the centre of Dublin City, it continues today a tradition since 1832 in the Jesuit approach to education. The school is fee-paying but provides a bursary scheme, independently funded, out of a desire to be socially just. The family, as the primary educator, through its commitment to the values of the school, shares the responsibility for the students’ education. Belvedere has dedicated teachers who are committed to high academic standards. The College provides a rich and diverse curriculum catering for the needs of each individual student. It strives for excellence also in areas of sport and culture, social concern, and spiritual values, wherein students are encouraged and challenged to realise their full potential as human beings. The Mission of the Belvedere Community - members of the Jesuit Community, Board, staff, parents, present students and past pupils - is to ensure that graduates of the College, by their relationship with Jesus Christ and through living Gospel values, shall be persons for others in leadership and example, in the pursuit of a just world. 1 Contents Foreword by Berchmans Gannon Page 3 Introduction by Gerry Foley, Headmaster Page 5 Past Pupils Page 7 7 Strategic Principles Page 9 5 Strategic Themes Page 13 I. Education Page 15 II. Jesuit Identity Page 17 III. Social Diversity Programme Page 19 IV. Information Technology Page 21 V. Facilities Page 23 Closing Prayer Page 24 2 Our goal as educators [is] to form men and “women of competence, conscience, and compassionate commitment.” Fr. Kolvenbach S.J., Ignatian Pedagogy: A Practical Approach. Foreword 3 Foreword Berchmans Gannon, Chairperson of Board of Management (2011 – 2016) On behalf of the Board of Management, I am pleased This process led to the identifi cation of our fi ve Strategic to present Our Strategy 2016 – 2022 for Belvedere Themes, for which specifi c committees were formed. College S.J.. This document was approved by our Board Each committee was responsible for the development of in June 2016 following substantial and intensive input a plan for their theme: Education, Jesuit Identity, Social from a wide range of our stakeholders, including Board Diversity Programme (SDP), Information Technology (IT), members, members of the Board sub-committees, past and Facilities. pupils, teachers, parents, pupils, and of course, members of the Jesuit Community. Across these fi ve Strategic Themes, eighteen key objectives were then established. These objectives will Belvedere is a school with a long tradition of academic shape our planning and decision making at all levels of success, dating back to the College’s foundation in 1832. the College over the coming 6 years, in order to ensure Latin, Greek, and classical studies are still taught here. that we continue to build upon the great history of Our continued commitment to invest and modernise Belvedere College S.J.. We remain committed to ensuring our buildings and facilities is a testament to the fact that our College’s ability to adapt and respond to new academic success remains as important to us as ever. conditions, needs, and opportunities presented to us in Belvedere also has a history of great success in sport, an ever-changing world. As such, we will continuously drama, music and art, with many famous alumni in all of monitor our progress towards our objectives, and will these fi elds. Today, we aim to continue excelling in the review and update our plans as necessary to ensure the holistic development of our students, and hope to do so success of our Mission. for many generations to come. We are deeply appreciative of, There are currently many divergent challenges to and encouraged by, the level of delivering a Catholic Education in a fee-paying school in engagement, enthusiasm, and Ireland. However, there are many exciting opportunities support we have received from all opening up in secondary education which Belvedere our stakeholders during this process. must be willing and ready to embrace. The College, We sincerely believe that with because of its proud history and beliefs, is unwavering your continued support, Belvedere in its commitment to remain a leader in secondary College S.J. will continue to make a education in Ireland. We are dedicated not only to real difference in the lives of many academic excellence for our students, but to also provide young men in the future, in keeping them with the adaptability, fl exibility, and resilience they with the valued traditions laid down will need to thrive in an ever-changing world. To identify for us by St Ignatius. how we can best continue to do so, we have undertaken an intensive process of deep self-refl ection and learning, I would like to personally thank you the results of which have informed our strategic plan. for your interest in Belvedere College S.J., and I hope you will continue The strategic plan 2016 – 2022 for Belvedere College to encourage and support us as S.J. is the result of a planning process undertaken by we move forward on our exciting the College in conjunction with our stakeholders. Our journey together. task was to take stock of the current state of education in Ireland, identify key trends, anticipate the future at a time of accelerated change, and think boldly about Belvedere’s place in the Irish educational landscape. Above all, we asked ourselves: ‘What is needed to ensure Belvedere’s continuing excellence in education?’ Berchmans Gannon Belvedere College S.J.: Our Strategy 2016 – 2022 4 The social justice aspect of the school is something no other school offers and it “has shaped my character hugely. I’ll miss the opportunities I had at my fi nger tips to be involved in the St Vincent de Paul ‘Soup Run’, Peer Tutoring, Block Pull, Kolkata and retreats such as Kairos.” Sixth year student exit survey Introduction 5 Introduction Gerry Foley, Headmaster About Belvedere Jesuit Education is synonymous with excellence in all it endeavours. It is synonymous with care for the individual, developing critical refl ection, fostering independent thinking, and nurturing talent, so that every member of our community fi nds what is creative and life-giving. In 1832, nine students enrolled in St. Francis Xavier’s College in Hardwicke Street, Dublin. Following its move to Belvedere House in 1841, thereafter becoming popularly referred to as Belvedere College S.J., the school has grown to achieve a current enrolment of just over 1,000 students, 140 staff, and continues to be a Jesuit school proud of its roots in the heart of the city centre. It remains committed to the characteristics of Jesuit Education, built on the pillars of developing each individual’s Conscience, Competence, Compassion and Commitment. Jesuit and other schools, students have the opportunity to develop a very different perspective in embracing a Building on over 180 years of educating young men, multicultural society. our education focuses on developing resilience, resourcefulness, refl ection and reciprocity. Students Through our exchange and immersion programmes, learn to learn, in the company of others who are students travel across the world, and in the Faith highly motivated, and are encouraged to improve on and Service Programmes they work with the most their previous personal best. Integrity, honesty, and marginalised in our society and share in learning with a commitment to have an informed opinion, which refugees and migrants. strengthens a resolve to work for the greater good of society, are central to our aspirations for all students. While exam success is important, education is much Our teachers are educators who build on tradition and more than this. We aim to create an environment which enthusiastically embrace the future. responds directly to the diverse needs of individuals rather than imposing a ‘one size fi ts all’ model on Why Belvedere? students. Personalised learning shifts the role of students Leadership and the experience of being a team member from being simply a ‘consumer’ of education to a ‘co- are central to the experiences offered in our school for producer and collaborator’ of their learning pathway. students and staff. Past pupils, parents and friends of Personalised learning actively engages all members of our the College form an integral part of this community and learning community, students and staff, in the process of contribute to the Mission of the College. The curriculum learning, leading to improved outcomes and experiences is the holistic experience both inside and outside the for all. classroom. The caring relationship between staff and students underpins everything we do. At Belvedere this also results in a huge range of subjects and co-curricular activities, challenging artists, athletes, We want each student to discover, by being of service to scientists, debaters, linguists, entrepreneurs, actors and others, a passion for life and to realise that they can be writers to become the best they can be. We give them the agent of change for the better in society. Through the skills to navigate an unclear future with confi dence. our international links, as part of a global network of Remaining a fee-paying school has given us a degree Belvedere College S.J.: Our Strategy 2016 – 2022 Introduction 6 of independence, which has ensured we engage with Globally, education is the highest priority in changing our Mission to be a school where academic excellence society for the better.