2023 - A Pivotal Year in our 173 Year Story

2023 has been significant and successful for St Andrew’s School. This year we have already:

• attracted outstanding new leaders who are making a measurable impact.
• built a strong culture of Professional Learning Teams (PLTs), with teachers meeting, planning, assessing, and reflecting in structured teams with key leaders each week.
• created and implemented a cohesive approach to using data to inform decision making about every learner.
• engaged with global leaders to enhance the learner experience for students.
• increased and targeted resourcing to personalise learning for every student.
• planned and commenced construction of our beautiful new play space.
• seen the triumphant return of Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.
• had a range of new, outstanding teachers join our team and make a significant impact.
• successfully commenced and completed negotiations and had a 100% yes vote for our Enterprise Agreement which outlines the salary and conditions for our staff team for this three-year period.
• reviewed, simplified, and reduced the cost of our uniform range.
• started planning for our 175^th birthday celebrations.
• formulated a range of plans for 2024, including but not limited to introducing sailing for our Year 6 students and commencing plans for classroom upgrades on the Western Campus.

I could go on, but know I have a limited window to capture you with words, so I’ll stop there, other than to highlight our meaningful strategic planning process that has been underway since early Term 2. Through a range of diverse engagements with all stakeholder groups, we have gained a deep understanding of why people choose St Andrew’s School, the elements that are loved and valued, and our community’s hopes for the future. Throughout this process, we have partnered with global education and strategy experts The Learning Future (TLF) who have ‘walked this important path’ very closely with us, every step of the way. Including a range of face-to-face engagements in NSW and SA, and multiple virtual touchpoints, TLF has appropriately embedded itself into the heart of this exciting journey for our School.

Louka Parry, CEO of TLF, has trained thousands globally to increase their positive impact. He holds two Masters degrees, speaks five languages, has completed studies at Harvard, been a resident at Stanford’s D.School and is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar. Louka has worked on every continent, including in high-level policy fora with the OECD, the European Commission, and education systems as diverse as Romania to the Dominican Republic.

Dr Anne Knock, Leadership and Culture Expert at TLF, holds a PhD in Education from The University of Melbourne with a focus in complexity theory, revealing how to craft successful and sustainable practice and culture in innovative learning environments. Globally, Dr Knock supports education leaders and architects to develop school masterplans and design briefs. Having worked and toured leaders across multiple continents, Dr Knock has a unique depth of knowledge of the international education landscape.

Our Strategic Intent, Towards 2030, continues to take shape beautifully behind the scenes. Stakeholder contribution sits central to our considerations and plans. Towards 2030 will be ready for the commencement of the 2024 school year and leverages off our School’s celebrated and recognised strengths.

We are serious about ensuring St Andrew’s School is positioned as a world leader in early and primary years education. In line with this commitment to you and as part of our important partnership with TLF, our new and highly respected Deputy Principal David Hodges will join Louka Parry and Dr Anne Knock on a Study Tour during the upcoming term break. David will visit the best schools, universities, museums and global thought leaders in Finland, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Spain. We know this impactful experience will lead to better outcomes and stronger programs for our students, staff, and broader community. We wish David safe travels and thank him in advance for investing time, away from his wife and three young children, to benefit the St Andrew’s School community.