From the Headmaster

Feedback from the Parent Survey

Thank you to those parents who provided us with feedback with regards to the recent survey we issued via Yardstick. Yardstick has provided us with a range of reports. The attached report has been prepared for the community.

Overall, the results were very encouraging. However, this does not mean we are going to be complacent; they have challenged us to keep thinking about how we meet the needs of our community here at St Paul’s School.

You will see when you look at the report that feedback was gained from 16 key areas. Results for each area were graded from “excellent satisfaction” down to “immediate action required”. Five of the 16 areas received an “excellent” rating from our parents with the remaining 11 areas rated as “good score”. The highest rated areas included the extra-curricular programs, resources and facilities, and the learning environment; while the lowest scoring areas included learning and extension, homework, and student transition. While the lowest scoring areas were still rated as having a “good score”, it has prompted us to look at how we can continually improve. For example, 50% of respondents said that there was too much homework.

As we strive to deliver the best holistic education possible, we already have teams of staff looking at issues like homework, management of time, leadership opportunities and development (P-12), including all Camps offered by the School, and how students are transitioning through St Paul's. We want to ensure that all students feel safe and connected to the School, are participating in as many areas as possible and feel supported. The Teaching and Learning Team has also been evaluating the whole area of assessments and assignments, especially in the Senior and Middle Schools as they evaluate all aspects of the academic journey of students at St Paul's.

Parents were also invited to answer two open-ended questions, “What do you like about St Paul’s School?” and “What would you like to see improved at St Paul’s School?” Yardstick provided the School with a keyword summary of those responses as well as all the comments.

It was encouraging to read so many responses to the question, “What do you like about St Paul's School?”, which referred to the encouragement, care and concern shown towards students by the teaching staff, Tutors and Heads of House in and out of the classroom; the positive comments about the grounds, facilities and new buildings; the variety of sports and extra-curricular activities on offer and the fact that they felt welcomed and supported within the St Paul's community.

Responses to the question, “What would you like to see improved about St Paul's School?”, included helpful feedback for the Teaching and Learning Team about the effect of the new Laptop Program on families and comments about the perennial challenge of traffic congestion at peak times – this is something which we will continue to monitor. A team of staff is looking at a long-term plan for the School, which would include the building of a Performing Arts Centre and a Multipurpose Sports Centre and ways to increase the participation of all students in the variety of sport and extracurricular programs on offer. These new facilities would be available to the School Community, Past Students and the local and wider community. Of course, such projects will depend on acquiring the necessary finance to bring them to fruition and we will continue to explore possible partnerships with the community and other networks.

If you have any questions about the survey please do not hesitate to email me or send a question through my blog.

Paul Browning
Headmaster

Focus for the week:

Mr Browning complimented the Middle and Senior Schools in Assembly earlier this week on their appearance, noting that in most cases students were complying with the School’s hair regulations. Pride in the school is shown through how our students wear their uniform and take care of their appearance. It’s also shown in many other ways as well eg, pride in academic performance, participation in Carnivals and other extracurricular activities. A reminder about the school’s hair regulations, which all students will find in the Student Diary (Page 131):

Boys: Hair must be kept clean, well groomed, of a conservative length and cut, of natural colour, clear of the face when it falls naturally, and no longer than the top of the collar. Boys are to be clean shaven and have sideburns no longer than 1.25 cm above the bottom of the ear.

Girls: Hair must be kept clean, well groomed and of natural colour. Girls with long hair below the collar are to tie it back using ribbons or fasteners in bottle green, cardinal red, and white in solid colours only.

(Hair for boys and girls must not be styled to draw undue attention.)

Robin Cox
Director of Faith and Ministry