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St Narsai Assyrian Christian College 2018 Annual Report

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ST NARSAI ASSYRIAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT In Him We Grow INTRODUCTION This Annual School Report to the Community offers parents and members of the wider College Community detailed information about College processes, procedures and achievements throughout 2018. This report also provides other information relating to College policies, students results, staff professional learning and teacher standards, initiatives as well as summary of financial information. The report demonstrates accountability to regulatory bodies, the college community and Assyrian Schools Board. This report adds to and is supplementary to College newsletters and other regular communications to the College community. Additional information about the College may be obtained by contacting the College and accessing the College’s website. 3 SECTION ONE: MESSAGES FROM KEY GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY Assyrian Schools Board message The Assyrian Schools are governed by a Board of Directors comprising the Chairman, His Eminence Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia. AM, and a body of directors. The Board of Directors of the Assyrian Schools (the Board), subject to their appointment, and delegation of responsibility by the Archbishop, act as an advisory board to the Archbishop for the operations, management, financial performance and strategy of the Assyrian Schools. The Board collectively have a diverse set of experiences, competencies, skills and judgement, with emphasis on the operation of an effective organisation, as well as in the areas of governance, education, finance, risk management and internal management. The Board is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Assyrian Schools, with the aim of protecting and enhancing the capabilities of the Assyrian Schools and considering the interests of students and their families, employees, and the wider community. The Board’s role does not involve the day-to-day management of the Assyrian Schools which has been delegated by the Archbishop to the Principals of the Assyrian Schools. Each member of the Board is deemed a responsible person and has undergone an induction process and professional development in school governance procedures in compliance with NESA guidelines. St. Narsai Assyrian Christian College operates under the auspices of the Holy Apostolic and Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. In 2018, the school catered for the educational needs of 650 students. St Narsai Assyrian Christian College is considered a unique educational institution in many aspects. It is the first Assyrian Christian School to be established in the Western World and was established by the Archbishop, His Beatitude, Mar Meelis Zaia’s. AM, and the Assyrian community to fulfill the need for members of the Australian Assyrian Community to preserve their Assyrian faith, language and culture. Members of our Assyrian community in Australia are proud of these achievements and thankful that future generations of Assyrians living in Australia will have the opportunity to learn about their faith, language and culture in this unique learning environment. The Board and all staff of the Assyrian Schools know the importance of feedback. Feedback from staff, feedback from students and feedback from parents is critically important to our overall school improvement. In 2018 the Board continued the commissioned work of an external consultant to undertake such feedback with a focus on the leadership across both schools. The survey used was the Quality Leadership Profile Survey. This survey allowed staff to provide anonymous feedback on each of the leaders across all areas within their work scope. A summary report outlining the strengths, weakness, challenges and areas for improvement was discussed and plans were formulated to improve the areas that require further development. The consultant monitored this plan with each of the leaders to assist in their leadership growth and overall school improvement. The Assyrian Schools Board is focused on ensuring continuous school improvement through the implementation of this and many other initiatives. Assyrian Schools Board 4 Principal’s Message Welcome to the 2018 Annual School Report of St. Narsai Assyrian Christian College. Thanks to our beloved Archbishop, His Beatitude, Mar Meelis Zaia AM, the College was given its spiritual motto “In Him We Grow” that our college community have welcomed and will always cherish. Students and staff have been challenged this year to reflect on this motto and to consider our daily actions and experiences so that we can grow in Christ and have more enriching lives. This year, the College started work on implementing identified priorities from its newly created three- year strategic plan 2018-2020 that will set the College up for a better and brighter future and one that enables us to be more responsive to the needs of our community. This plan focuses on three main Strategic Directions: 1. Responsible students, actively engaged in learning and are intrinsically motivated to succeed and achieve; 2. Excellence in Teaching & Learning using evidence-based quality teaching strategies and practices; 3. Positive and collaborative school community that promotes a shared culture of high expectations. To support our staff in their professional growth, the College has also started a three-year professional learning journey with Visible Learning Plus that aims at improving our pedagogical practices and enhance school wide teaching and learning processes to have the highest impact on student achievement. Our staff and members of the Leadership Team have diligently worked throughout the year with experts from the Visible Learning Team to assess our practices and to set goals and strategies to achieve improvements across several identified strands. At St Narsai, our goal is to empower our students to achieve academic and personal excellence, and inspire them through our commitment to faith, family and community. Edwar Dinkha 5 Student Body Message St Narsai encourages the students to actively engage and interact with the College community. The Student Leadership Team (SLT) is a forum for students to ensure they have an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. Other students, both seniors and juniors, use the SLT as a method of communication with the school in order to take initiative in school decisions and promote cohesiveness as a school. The SLT consists of School Captains, Vice Captains, Prefects, Christian Representative Council (CRC) members and House Captains. The SLT acts as way for students to communicate ideas, issues and plans with staff, and provides opportunities for leadership and interpersonal growth. The SLT acts as representatives for the school at various events, such as open days and Prelate visits. The focal point of the SLT is its regularly scheduled meetings along with junior members of the Christian Representative Council (CRC), discussing uniform, sport, charity, academia, faith, learning intentions, and countless other points. The SLT acts as the student body’s collective voice. Whenever extra assistance or volunteer work is needed, the SLT is always on call, with the help of year 12 volunteers for important events. Examples includes the College’s Grand Opening, Prelate visits, ACERO events, multiple open days for the general public, Assyrian Schools Board, and parents, as well as community events such as charity dinners and cultural events such the Assyrian Language Conference. In- school events such as fundraising, the relaying of messages to various grades and school assemblies are handled by the SLT. We graciously accept the school’s opportunities and challenges, as being a member of the Student Leadership Team is a position of responsibility and trust. The Student Leadership Team is an integral component of St Narsai since its inception, and the work done through the SLT is necessary for a cohesive, safe and welcoming St Narsai Christian College. It creates a stable school environment, filled with students who are more than willing to freely communicate with their school and unafraid to ask for advice or assistance. As members of the SLT, we strive every day to do our best to encompass the school’s motto: excellence, commitment and Christian values. Esho Dinkha and Divina Korkis College Captains 2018/ 19 6 SECTION TWO: COLLEGE FEATURES St. Narsai Assyrian Christian College (SNACC) is a 7-12 Co-educational Independent Christian College located in Horsley Park. The College moved to this current site in Horsley Park late 2017 and students commenced in the new premises at the start of the 2018 school year. The College offers an education founded on faith, family and community. Our students contribute to a vibrant and inspiring campus that is filled with state-of-the-art facilities and learning spaces. College staff are skilled educators and leaders of learning, committed to improving learning outcomes for all students by engaging and motivating them to achieve their personal best. We offer a rigorous academic program as well as a strong pastoral care program imbued with a focus on faith development and prayer. Our authentic welfare and wellbeing programs, run by pastoral care teachers and year advisors, ensure that students are always supported along their learning journey. St Narsai’s curriculum is designed to develop our students into engaged and critical thinkers, well-equipped to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. Students and staff use contemporary digital technologies to enhance and broaden students’ learning
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