A focus on building the personal capacity of each and every student has seen St Andrew’s Anglican College awarded Secondary School of the Year (non-government) at the Australian Education Awards on Friday 9 August, 2024.
The Australian Education Awards, now in their seventh year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top-performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers.
St Andrew’s Principal, Chris Ivey, said the achievement reflected the College’s reputation as a leading independent co-educational school from Prep to Year 12 on the Sunshine Coast, known for its excellence and strong community spirit.
In 2023, the College’s strategic plan underwent a significant revamp. Crafted with input from all stakeholders, it charts an ambitious course for the future, focusing on building staff and student personal capacity.
Harnessing the shifts in the educational landscape and the needs of the future workforce, St Andrew’s has directed its focus, mission and vision to ensure all students can achieve and reach their full potential, be successful in their chosen pathway and be equipped to handle a world of change.
“Our College seeks to continually improve and be on the cutting edge of providing a future-focused educational experience,” Mr Ivey said.
“Our focus on building Personal Capacity is the central pillar and is the key to our strategic plan and point of difference for our school. This focus ensures every part of each child’s educational journey is based around equipping them to be the best they can be, to find purpose and move confidently into their futures.”
Building Personal Capacity at St Andrew’s
Key to this has been the development and implementation of a Personal Capacity Transcript, which captures and reports on every student’s holistic growth alongside academic reporting.
This transcript features a learner statement, credits earned from 8 categories, showcased learning and achievements linked to a QR code and subjects studied that year. This is all designed to capture and articulate a broad range of evidenced capabilities and achievements that showcase the learner’s broader involvement, strengths and learning.
All Secondary students provide evidence and self-reflections on their involvement, learning and growth from activities inside and outside the College. Once the evidence for one of the credit outcomes is submitted, the student’s mentor teacher ‘endorses’ it through a coaching conversation. The result is a graph that gives a 360-degree view of the student’s involvement and learning.
The PCT is a ‘live’ document that can be viewed and printed at any time, but it will be specifically produced and sent home twice a year. It can be used for job applications, university entry portfolios and celebrating the learning that takes place due to each child’s unique gifts and passions.
“We are one of the first schools in the country to implement a self-evidenced and teacher-endorsed learner profile, and we believe it will be the driver for celebrating the whole child and their growth in personal capacity,” Mr Ivey said.
Nomination evidence for the award comprised St Andrew’s academic achievements, diverse opportunities, the Personal Capacity Transcript tracking students’ holistic growth, and a dedication to lifelong learning via co-curricular and global service activities.
St Andrew’s has been a regular finalist in these highly prestigious awards, including twice winning ‘ Best Co-Curricular Program ‘ in 2019 and 2020 for its Global and Service-Learning Program. Additionally, the College has also been awarded a ‘5-star innovative school’ every year since 2021, highlighting its desire to provide a future-focused educational experience for its students.
Photo: St Andrew’s Principal Rev Chris Ivey with Head of Ministry Mr Tim Barrett
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