St Thomas Aquinas School Charter 2017“Quality Catholic Education”
2019
​
Our School and Community​:
St Thomas Aquinas School is an integrated, full primary Catholic School situated in the Central Southland township of Winton.
Everything we do at St Thomas Aquinas School is underpinned by our Catholic faith. We are a decile 9 school with a staffing
allocation of 3.92. The school is organised into four composite classes comprising of Year 0-2, Year 3-4, Year 5-6 and Year 7-8. Our
school was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1898 and has been providing quality Catholic education since that time.
As a Special Character school, Christian attitudes and values are embedded in our daily life and are supported by the parent and
Parish community. We come together to acknowledge and celebrate our Catholic faith in many forums throughout the year.
We provide educational support and extension for all our students depending on what their needs are. 65% of our students reside
on farms outside the Winton township. 19% of our students identify as Filipino and 4% of our students are Maori.
Our students are very fortunate to have expansive grounds consisting of a playing field, tennis courts, obstacle course and a junior
playground. Our school building includes an administration area, 4 classrooms, covered foyer area, library, and Church Hall.
OUR MISSION
A supportive environment where we live our faith and celebrate our learning in life
OUR VALUES
The Sister of Mercy were the founders of St Thomas Aquinas School, they chose certain Gospel values that were important to help
them make decisions and live their lives.
We promote and teach these Mercy values at St Thomas Aquinas School to our students:
C​ompassion - Aroha
H​ospitality - Manaakitanga
A
S​ocial Justice - Tika
E​xcellence - Panekiritanga
R​espect - Te tapu o te tangata
S​ervice - Rato
At St Thomas Aquinas School we are ​CHASERS
OUR STRATEGIC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. All students at St Thomas Aquinas School will receive a Catholic education that focuses on Christian faith and living and
following religious customs that are important to our Catholic faith.
Handbook of Board of Trustees of New Zealand Catholic Integrated School 2016
2. Each and every student at St Thomas Aquinas School will be able to achieve and progress in their learning, through quality
education.
As evidence by assessment and evaluations in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), National Standards and other
identified school and community priorities.
3. To welcome and encourage whanau participation in the life of the school, whilst respecting all cultures represented, and
recognising the unique position of Maori culture within New Zealand.
To recognise within the school the cultural diversity of New Zealand with particular emphasis on Maori culture and language.
Recognition of our priority learners; Maori and Pasifika students, special needs students and students from lower socio- economic
backgrounds.
AT ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING:
Special Character
Continue to strengthen our school’s pastoral care practice and strengthen links
with the Catholic community
Student Achievement
Continuous improvement in student progress, achievement and engagement.
Paying special attention to the needs of priority learners.
Strategic Planning and Self Review
Setting strategic direction for the school through charter, policies and self review
Personnel
A positive, supportive environment for all staff, through professional learning
opportunities, performance management and collaborative practices
Property
Within resources available a budget to fund the school’s curriculum, personnel,
property and administration activities
Health and Safety
A safe, healthy physical and emotional learning environment
Community Partnership
Opportunity of consultation and communication with the wider community
STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2019
All students at St Thomas Aquinas School will receive a Catholic education that focuses on Christian faith and living and
following religious customs that are important to our Catholic faith.
Handbook of Board of Trustees of New Zealand Catholic Integrated School 2016
2017
2018
2019
What will this look like?
Provide staff with mentoring and
coaching on teaching the religious
education programme
Staff to extend their knowledge of the
religious education programme by
participating in PLD with other
Catholic schools
Staff to share their knowledge by
mentoring and coaching teachers
new to Catholic schools
Staff will have an in depth
knowledge of the Catholic Religious
education programme
Launch CHASERS Mercy values
schoolwide
CHASERS to be embedded in our
school culture
CHASERS to be introduced to new
pupils by current students
CHASERS embedded into daily life
at St Thomas Aquinas School
Values based teaching school wide
Teaching staff to enrol in TCI level 100
and 200 papers dependent on
individual needs
Teaching staff to extend their
knowledge by enrolling in TCI papers
of interest
Teaching staff to continue to extend
their knowledge by enrolling in TCI
papers of interest
Teachers will extend their
knowledge and understanding of the
Catholic religion through studying
TCI papers
Further promote Mercy Makers
programme
Provide opportunities for students to
share their Mercy Maker experiences
Students to share Mercy Maker
activities with other Catholic schools
50% of students participate in the
Mercy Maker programme
Assembly
Blog posts
Celebration of Learning
STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2019
Each and every student at St Thomas Aquinas School will be able to achieve and progress in their learning, through quality
education.
As evidence by assessment and evaluations in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), National Standards and other
identified school and community priorities.
2017
2018
2019
What will this look like?
1.1 86%, 73% and 50% of students will
be at or above National Standard
targets in Reading, Writing and Maths
respectively.
1.2 Raise percentage of students who
are at or above National Standard
targets in Maths or Writing by 5%
1.3 Cater to the needs of students by
providing support of extension in core
curriculum areas.
Students will be at or above National
Standard targets in Maths, Reading
and Writing
2.2 All students and staff will be
engaged with the school curriculum
and progressing towards their
achievement targets.
2.3 Digital tools Chromebooks and
Ipads will support all classroom
programmes.
Devices will supplement and
complement learning programmes
and enhance students digital skills.
2a
Consolidate and refine school wide
moderation and OTJ practices
OTJ practices and moderation
sessions with nearby schools
OTJ practices and moderation with
Community of Learning
All teaching staff are confident and
consistent with moderation and OTJ
practices
2a
Student goal setting and self
reflections on learning and
achievement
Integrate into daily teaching and
learning programmes
Students will critically evaluate their
own work and the work of others
Students clearly able to articulate
learning goals and progress in
relation to goals, shared with
parents
Priority will be given to students
working below or well below in
Mathematics.
2.1 Develop exciting and engaging
school curriculum that meets the
needs of all students.
Trial the use of google chromebooks
in Room 4 Year 7&8
STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2019
To welcome and encourage whanau participation in the life of the school, whilst respecting all cultures represented, and
recognising the unique position of Maori culture within New Zealand.
To recognise within the school the cultural diversity of New Zealand with particular emphasis on Maori culture and language.
Recognition of our priority learners; Maori and Pasifika students, special needs students and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
2017
2018
2019
What will this look like?
Promote and engage parents to learn
and participate alongside their
children through:
Celebrate and acknowledge our
Catholic faith, cultural heritage and
cultures within our school
Community consultation revisited
100% engagement for all families in
reporting
Term 1 - Open Classrooms
Whanau participation as an integral
part of school culture
Term 2 - Celebration of Learning
Wearable Arts
All students will understand and
appreciate their own cultural identity
Term 3 - Polyfest
1. Students will gain an understanding
of where they are from and who they
are.
All students will write their Mihi
8. Increase the roll through engaging
with community groups.
(Winton Kindergarten/WEKA)
Celebration of Learning, Cross
Country, Athletics
Students will research their own
ethnic backgrounds.
Students will refine and extend their
Mihi.
Students will develop an
understanding of their own identity
and place in the world.
Promotion of our new learning
environment and resources.
Sustainable roll (70+) to be well
within U2 standing.
Students will explore their cultural
heritage - Marae visit
Redevelopment of the school.
Promotion of our new learning
spaces.
Continue to engage with community
groups.
ANNUAL PLAN 2017: ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL
All students at St Thomas Aquinas School will receive a Catholic education that focuses on Christian faith and living and
following religious customs that are important to our Catholic faith.
Handbook of Board of Trustees of New Zealand Catholic Integrated School 2016
Strategic Goal 1
Expected Outcome
Responsibility
Resources/Funding
Timeframe
Provide staff with mentoring
and coaching on teaching the
religious education
programme
Staff will develop their
knowledge and
understanding of the RE
programme
DRS - Sue
Principal - Teresa
Staff
$2500
Throughout the year
Staff will attend the Gathering
in Term 2
$2500
Launch CHASERS Mercy
values schoolwide
Students to have sound
knowledge of the Mercy
values and be CHASERS who
actively live out those values
All staff
Time
Throughout the year
Teaching staff to enrol in TCI
level 100 and 200 papers
dependent on individual
needs
Teaching staff to begin to
develop their knowledge and
understanding of elements of
the Catholic faith
DRS - Sue
Staff
$2500
Throughout the year
Further promote Mercy
Makers programme
Increased student
engagement in the Mercy
Maker programme
All staff
Time
Throughout the year
Each and every student at St Thomas Aquinas School will be able to achieve and progress in their learning, through quality education.
As evidence by assessment and evaluations in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), National Standards and other identified school and community priorities.
Strategic Goal 2
Expected Outcome
Responsibility
Resources/Funding
Timeframe
Implement school wide focus on
Mathematics. Set annual target
across all classes within
Mathematics.
Annual target set for target
learners who are well below or
below the standard
Principal - Teresa
Staff
$2000
Throughout 2017
Provide school wide PLD in
Mathematics
Teachers will extend their
professional knowledge within
Mathematics.
Principal - Teresa
$3000
Term 1-3
$2000 Basic Fact Programme
Throughout 2017
Students will increase their
knowledge and develop their
understanding of strategies
Purchase Basic facts resources
for all students
Basic facts home learning
programme implemented and
being used effectively
Principal - Teresa
Trial the use of google
chromebooks in Room 4 Year
7&8
Students will develop their
digital technology skills.
Students will also be able to
learn through using devices.
ICT Leader - Lauren
Room 4 Teacher - Lauren
Engage in moderation of OTJ’s
to ensure consistency across
the school
Staff moderation for writing
Across schools moderation with
Winton and Lochiel Primary
Literacy Leader - Marcus
Staff
Students to actively set goals
and reflect on their learning and
achievement
Goal Setting Term 1
Reflection of Goals - Term 2&3
Through the use of google docs
Staff
Students
$5000
$2000
Throughout 2017
Terms 1-3
Throughout 2017
To welcome and encourage whanau participation in the life of the school, whilst respecting all cultures represented, and recognising the unique position of Maori culture
within New Zealand.
To recognise within the school the cultural diversity of New Zealand with particular emphasis on Maori culture and language. Recognition of our priority learners; Maori and
Pasifika students, special needs students and students from lower socio- economic backgrounds.
Strategic Goal 3
Expected Outcome
Responsibility
Resources/Funding
Timeframe
Promote and engage parents to
learn and participate alongside
their children
Increase whanau involvement
within the school by providing
forums like:
Celebration of Learning
Open classroom sessions
Social gatherings
BOT
PTA
Staff
Time
Throughout 2017
Students will learn about their
cultural heritage through
learning their Mihi
Students will learn about their
cultural heritage and be able to
plan, write and say their Mihi
Staff
$500
Term 1
Principal - Teresa
Room 1 Teacher - Sue
Staff
Time
Throughout 2017
Increase our student roll by
engaging with community
groups
Invite and participate with the
following groups (Winton
Kindergarten and WEKA) in the
following forums:
Celebration of Learning
Cross Country
Athletics
Polyfest
Wearable Arts