How to be a
Teacher in the Middle School
At St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens
“Developing Christian Character through
Innovation, Enrichment, Excellence”
Simon Herd – February 2010
How to be a Teacher in the Middle School at SPCC
Section One
Rationale
You can put a vegemite label on a jar of peanut butter, but you still have peanut butter.
True Middle Schooling is about making more than superficial structural changes. It is about making changes that are at the heart of teaching, such as our relationships with the students, curriculum that centres on the needs of students and practices that take into account the requirements and interests of the students.
As such, Middle School teachers play a leading role in the establishment of Middle School at St Philip's Christian College. This document (also available in digital format on the College Portal) has been developed to put Middle School teachers, both new and current members of staff, “in the picture”. While it covers some of the logistical issues of teaching at St Philip's Christian College, it also covers important philosophical principles that form the foundations of what we do.
Given that each school has its own unique flavour and focus, this document also helps to introduce new teachers to the culture that makes St Philip's Christian College the unique school that it has become.
Christ Centred
St Philip's Christian College is a school that is Christ centred. This means that all we do is based on our beliefs and values as people who have a real relationship with Jesus. There are times when this is obvious and explicit such as in our discussions with students and staff, content focus of lessons, prayer and worship times, teaching of Christian principles and the way in which we relate to each other. At other times our desire to be Christ centred can be implied, but at all times, it forms the foundation of what we do.
The College Motto
The College Motto comes from the words of Jesus, in John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” It is our desire that all students come to know this to be true in their own lives.
The College Mission Statement
St Philip's Christian College will continue to provide quality education in a caring, secure and challenging learning environment based on Christian beliefs, values and practice.
Our Vision
· St Philip’s Christian College seeks to be a leading provider of quality Christian schooling within our nation, where:
· Every student develops a personal faith in Jesus Christ and is empowered to live with purpose, integrity and joy.
· Every student achieves their God-given potential and is well equipped to make a significant contribution to society.
· Every student benefits from innovative and effective learning experiences taught by skilled and dedicated teachers.
· Every student enjoys a safe and secure learning environment wherein they feel connected and affirmed.
· Every student contributes to a culture of respect, dignity, care and concern for others.
· Every student has access to excellent learning resources and is taught in the best learning facilities we can provide.
Our Core Values
1. Christ First - we want to honour Christ in all things.
2. Serve One Another - we want to appreciate the unique God-given potential of each person.
3. Strive for Excellence - we want to aim to do our very best all the time.
4. Do what is right - we want to always behave in a Christian manner.
5. Build Community - we want everyone to feel they belong.
These are reflected in all that we do, and should be consciously taught to students on a regular basis.
College History
St Philip’s Christian College, Newcastle was founded in 1982 by the vision and efforts of leaders and people of St Philip’s Anglican Church, Waratah. The founders passionately believed in the need for an independent school that would develop the “whole child” – intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually; a school that would maintain high academic and behavioural standards and at the same time effectively proclaim the liberating truth of the Christian Gospel. Classes commenced on 4th February 1982 in renovated areas within the church facilities.
Initially the College was operated as an undertaking of St Philip’s Anglican Church. However, in May 1985, St Philip’s Christian Education Foundation Limited was formed and this non-profit company took over the ownership and operation of the College. Parents and friends may join the Foundation to provide leadership and support. The college has steadily grown since this time and now encompasses Narnia Pre-School and the DALE school in Newcastle, comprising of programmes for “IM” students, Fresh Start students, Young Mothers and Creche. In addition St Philip’s Christian College extends to campuses at Newcastle, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Gosford.
Port Stephens Campus
In 1995 the Port Stephens campus was established at its current site in Salamander Bay with two teachers and 41 students. This campus now has an enrolment of over 700 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with a Junior School (K-4), Middle School (5-8) and a Senior School (9-12). Each of these sub schools have become educational leaders within NSW forging reputations for innovation and excellence in academic, pastoral, spiritual and sporting areas. A Master Plan developed for this campus envisages facilities catering for an enrolment of over 700 students K to 12.
The College is a member of the NSW Association of Independent Schools and numerous links have been forged with other independent schools locally and further afield. The College is also a member of the Australian Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International.
Further information about specific milestones in the growth of the College can be found in prospectus documents that can be obtained from the Head of Middle School.
Middle School Mission Statement
Middle School at St Philips Christian College Port Stephens seeks to engage students with school in an array of positive interactions that see each individual as being “At Promise”. Through interaction with the staff and programs at the College students will be presented with the opportunity to develop authentic Christian character and leadership. The Middle School journey provides students with a nurturing environment that promotes a lifelong commitment to Christ.
Middle School 2010
“Developing Christian Character through:
Innovation, Enrichment and Excellence”
Middle School teachers must actively live out this statement of purpose through their daily planning, teaching and relating.
Middle School Three Year Plan
The Middle School has a Three Year Plan, the purpose of which is to give direction to its development, thus ensuring growth towards the God given vision. Without such a plan development would be left to chance and meeting day to day needs that arise would be seen as the most important priority. In simple terms, the Middle School Three Year Plan addresses the questions:
1 Where is the Middle School going to be in three years’ time?
2 How is it going to get there?
As Middle School is a part of a dynamic K – 12 learning community, its Three Year Plan must be in full alignment with the College as a whole. Thus goals in the plan come from:
Ø College Executive goals and priorities
Ø Annual Parent Survey
Ø Middle School Executive
Ø Middle School Staff
Christian Character:
It is important that the value of Godly character be modelled from all staff and that servant leadership be exhibited to all staff and students. Important to this vision is the new Middle School Discipline Policy based on Restorative Justice Principles, where by every member of the community shares in the responsibility of promoting the values of love, respect, responsibility, compassion, tolerance, inclusiveness, service and justice. Discipline within our school is the shared responsibility of teachers, children, and parents. It is to be based upon Restorative Justice principles that are inclusive such as - flexible; problem solving; empowering of children, parents and teachers; forward looking; and optimistic. As such, it builds relationships, respect, and relevance. It encourages responsibility and an understanding of making informed choices that have clear consequences. The new Pastoral Care and Discipline policy reflects a sense of justice, reconciliation, consistency and concern for the individual and promotes the development of responsible self-discipline among students.
Innovation:
“The Toolshop”
The “Toolshop” is essentially a shed that is to be built on the school grounds for use by students as a learning environment and mentoring process. The “Toolshop” would rely on private enterprise to be developed and established within the school grounds at no cost to the school. It is planned that both students, parents and the wider community would become involved in the construction of the “Toolshop”. When operational the “Toolshop” would see boys within Middle school work alongside the male teacher’s aide and local community mentors to establish an array of tasks. Students could be involved in activities from stripping and rebuilding a motor bike to simple household maintenance. The key factors to the program’s success are based upon the fact that such a program provides a dynamic way in which boys are able to meet both literacy and numeracy outcomes by developing their own workshop manual. Likewise they would be linked to a mentor who has been trained.
Reachout Workshops
“Reachout” workshops will provide students with an opportunity to use their skills and talents to run evening tutorials on specific areas such as:
Technology class - Using the internet for seniors
- How to mail merge from a data base
- How to buy and sell on ebay for seniors
- Making Home Movies
Creative Art - Card making
- Art Gallery Skills
- Printmaking
These could also be run conjointly with external groups such as Mitre 10 to allow community members to learn how to replace flyscreens, hang a door, mower maintenance etc.
COG- Creating Healthy Families
Parenting/ Information seminars to provide parents with relevant cutting edge information and strategies designed to support them on issues such as:
- Gender Differences
- Conflict Resolution skills
- Sexuality/ Relationships
- Research skills
- Making homework fun
Enrichment:
Enrichment has two main focus areas. The first is within the classroom providing opportunities for student engagement in activities that have been planned to challenge higher order thinking strategies and to also afford opportunity for individuals and teams to participate in competitions that seek to provide an environment in which personal best is both encouraged and supported. This focus will be seen to provide gifted students with greater engagement with school.
The second avenue for enrichment is proposed relates to expanding the Middle school Information Communication Technology program to include a vision for each class to have a Smart board and every student to be using a laptop computer by 2011.
Excellence:
Excellence is an area in which adolescents often need encouragement and incentive in order to present work that is representative of outstanding excellence. The first endeavour in which this is to be encouraged is for all students to set an achievable personal goal at the commencement of each unit of study that is recorded by the teacher and reflected upon with individuals during the course in a meeting with the individual. Further to this the presentation of Middle School Academic Awards is seen to foster a culture of pursued excellence. These awards can be presented for improvement or exceptional results. The motivation is that these awards would include the reward of attending the pool as a celebration.
Centres of Excellence
It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that the development of Middle School Centres of Excellence be pursued. It is important to note that the concept of Centres of Excellence requires a deliberate planned focus on only one or two areas at a time that are adequately resourced to facilitate opportunity for innovative programs fostering student success. In 2009 the inaugural Centre for Excellence- The SPCC Sports Academy was launched. This program is a partnership program with the Hunter Academy of Sport and also sees students attend an excursion to the Australian Institute of Sport. Possible future review areas to establish grounds for the most viable areas to establish the inaugural centres of excellence will include.
The areas are:
· Creative and Performing Art
· English
· Technology
· Design and Robotics
Another area in which excellence is to be fostered within the Core teaching of Middle School will be to develop a range of annual competitions that are school house based, presenting students with opportunity to participate in:
- Poetry (English)
- Public speaking (English/ PD)
- Chess (Problem Solving)
- Creative writing (English)
- Reading (English)
- Race around the world (geography)
- Digging up the dirt (history)
With the developing relationship between the Middle Schools within the St Philips organisation it is envisaged that these school based competitions can then lead onto a SPCC Cup.
Community and the Classroom of Tomorrow:
As a member of the wider St Philip’s Christian College organisation it is exciting to develop strong links between the various schools within the College. With this in mind opportunities to develop collaborative online projects between the campuses ending in a culminating excursion are exciting, bold new adventures that have been promoted by the Port Stephens campus. Further to this, promoting connection to the wider Port Stephens Community, there will be the opportunity for student’s and staff to reach out through projects such as “The Toolshed”, “Reachout” and “Parents Plus” along with the use of Video Conferencing to participate in Virtual Excursions around the world.
“Community Care”:
One initiative that seeks to provide all students with opportunity to serve the Lord at a base level in the community is to develop a project to be known as “Community Care”. This program will see students from Middle School move out into the community to assist in practical activities with the assistance of parents, staff, local church and community organisations. The notion of service is crucial to providing our Middle School students with balanced opportunity to develop Christ like notions of care and love in action. Students will be offered opportunity to complete tasks such as: