Quality of Staff

Goals: 

a) All teachers to embrace the elements of:
• having a set of documented and regularly reviewed goals
• feeling supported by access to high quality professional learning
• applying evidence from many sources to reflect on and evaluate performance
• receiving regular formal and informal feedback
b) Foster a clear performance and development culture based around:
• a focus on boy outcomes
• effective teaching
• leadership
• flexibility
• coherence

Strategies:

6.1.1 Continue to use, evaluate and refine the Newington Professional Review and Development system as the guiding framework to achieve these goals.
6.1.2 Constantly improve our staff review system for authentic and supportive professional growth and development. This initiative is to include a boy and 360° feedback.
6.1.3 Support teachers with all essential and required accreditation processes.
6.1.4 Continue to develop successful strategies that include staff led professional development, peer observation and feedback, and committees for research and development.

Goals:

c) Actively encourage a dynamic and engaging learning environment in which the staff can give their best to the education of the boys.

Strategies:

6.2.1 Build a focus on professional dialogue across the College which enhances the teaching and learning environment for all the boys.
6.2.2 Develop a culture of seeking improvement (“too good not to be better”).
6.2.3 Encourage staff to embrace new professional challenges.

Goals:

d) Foster an ongoing staff review scheme that encourages and enhances professional growth.
e) Continue to provide opportunities and requirements for high quality professional development.
f) Continue with staff:
• reflectional goal setting
• professional practice and learning
• feedback and review
g) Foster our essential support and operational staff.

Strategies:

6.3.1 Test and refine the challenges and opportunities for all staff with ICT and 21^st Century learning practices.
6.3.2 Implement and renew a wide range of professional development offerings, wherever possible led by Newington College staff to utilise and acknowledge the expertise within our own staff.
6.3.3 Support appropriate ongoing professional development for all non-teaching staff.
6.3.4 Provide appropriate ongoing financial support for staff completing relevant post graduate study.
6.3.5 Provide leadership training for staff.
6.3.6 Seek to become a registered Professional Development provider.
6.3.7 Meet all regulatory requirements for teachers.
6.3.8 Tailor staff professional development to meet individual needs and ensure it is strongly linked to the staff professional learning programs.

Goals:

h) Ensure staff care programs address the significant demands on the modern teaching profession.
i) Ensure staff care programs are in place for our support and operational staff (non-teaching staff).

Strategies:

6.4.1 Ensure all staff lead by example in listening to and caring for their colleagues in a personal and meaningful manner.
6.4.2 Promote staff welfare initiatives.

Goals:

j) Support staff to continue to provide open, honest and positive communication with all members of the College community.
k) Encourage cross faculty collegiality.

Strategies:

6.5.1 Continue to develop opportunities to foster effective communication between parents and staff, particularly in regard to boy issues.
6.5.2 Provide regular staff professional development on how to communicate effectively with boys and parents.
6.5.3 Provide training for staff in all areas of people management skills.

Goals: 

l) Ensure the College maintains diversity and balance, for example, pertaining to those with experience together with, teachers new to the profession.

Strategies:

6.6.1 Recruit and retain dynamic teaching staff across all academic areas.
6.6.2 Require short listed candidates to teach a lesson as part of the selection process.
6.6.3 All appointments have a six month probation period.
6.6.4 Increase the number of interns (pre-qualifications and early qualified).
6.6.5 Refine an effective induction program for all new or returning staff.