St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
The mission statement of St. Matthew School is to develop a partnership of students, parents, staff and the Church that provides quality education
and fosters Christian values in a Catholic environment. We believe all children can learn. Through on-going hard work, effort and high expectations,
students can be successful in developing self-worth and the skills to become contributing members of society.
Motto
Be the Difference! Live the Difference!
Catholic Focus
St. Matthew School is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 school serving approximately 312 students in the central region of urban Mississauga. In the past
three years, St. Matthew has seen an increase in student enrolment; however, this year we have seen a decline. The school’s population reflects a rich
diversity of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. We host a Day Care Centre that is open to children in the community. Due to a change in parish
boundary, we joined the parish of Cristo Rei three years ago. We continue to nurture the integral partnership of home, school and Parish in educating the
children in our care.
At. St. Matthew, we believe that:
1. Every child can learn.
2. Effective teaching targets student needs and maximizes opportunities for student learning.
3. Educators take responsibility for the success of the students.
We have a whole school approach at St Matthew for the success of all students by developing and communicating high expectations, creating engaging
learning opportunities, and utilizing focused teaching strategies that maximize student learning.
We believe that each one of us has the responsibility to make a difference in this world. At St. Matthew, we are encouraged to also live the difference.
Core Principles
Catholicity
1. How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services?
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Conscious integration of Gospel values in daily teaching and interactions
Celebration of Faith through liturgies, prayers, outreach initiatives
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St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Virtues in action- student involvement in outreach initiatives - food drives, Toonies for Terry,
Compassion, caring and considering the whole child as well as integrating Restorative Justice strategies when dealing with safe school issues
Collaborative relationship with Parish and home in matters of Sacramental preparations and Liturgical celebrations
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 90%
Primary Writing: 93%
Primary Mathematics: 87%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO:
* all areas exceed results of the Board and Province
* Reading, Writing and Mathematics scores increased from last year
* classroom teachers utilized effective high yield teaching strategies
* team support
* the Special Education & Library support personnel provided focused lessons in small groups for at risk students
* the Special Assignment Teacher (SAT) worked together with the Primary division focus on Math strategies
* teachers worked together in professional learning teams with a focus on Numeracy
* afterschool tutoring sessions were offered to all students in Grade 3
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 75%
Junior Writing: 88%
Junior Mathematics: 59%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO:
* Reading and Writing scores increased from last year, however, there was a slight decrease in Mathematics
* focused lessons in small groups for at risk students proved to be effective for the Reading and Writing
* The Special Assignment Teacher (SAT) worked together with Junior division focus on Math strategies
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St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
enabled the teachers to implement effective strategies in the classrooms. We will continue to focus on and develop effective strategies.
* Classroom and resource teachers provided high-yield strategies both in Literacy
* Reading and Mathematical activities were integrated into other subject areas
* afterschool tutoring sessions were offered to all students in Grade 6
3. Describe how the school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning.
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CSLT supported by Admin, SAT and SAO, using resources from LNS
Resource staff support teachers and students in classrooms as well as in small group tutorials
Data gathering and analysis to monitor student achievement
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
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Tracking and monitoring of students
Professional learning through CSLT and network support
Divisional meetings provide additional opportunities to share best practices, strategies and resources
At risk students brought forward and discussed in TEAM for multi-disciplinary problem-solving
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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Principal and current Council members encourage and invite community members from different cultural groups to join Council.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel)?
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Family Literacy evenings
Welcome to Kindergarten
Open House/Curriculum Evening with Peel Health and Peel Police and Fire Dept, PLASP
Junior Achievement
Skills Canada
Continued working relationship with Peel Health, Peel Police, Youth Education Officer
"Swim to Survive" programme for Gr. 3 students in collaboration with Mississauga Parks and Recreation
PLASP programs hosted at St. Matthew
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St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
Parish-Home-School
1. Comment on how the school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success.
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Initial planning meeting with pastor
Celebration of Feast Day
Communication of church meetings for parents re sacramental preparations through letters, newsletters and Pastoral Plan handout.
Support Pastoral initiatives – The Circles of Rosary (school, family and parish circles), Food Drives for parish, St. Vincent de Paul Society, financial
support for Share Life Campaign
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Maintain clean classroom and hallway environments.
Conservation of resources – paper, recycling, lighting
St. Matthew was certificated as an Eco-School and continued awareness and efforts to enforce conservation practices.
School was retrofitted for more energy-efficient capabilities.
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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Accurate and close monitoring of records
Monthly tracking of school and TRACS budget
Budget controls
Pre-approval of expenses- prioritizing of needs and requests
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St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by students in the school, as demonstrated by
the CCCC School Climate Survey result.
Action Plans
Active Listening
Bullying Prevention
Promote healthy, safe, inclusive and caring school community
Sense of Belonging
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of
collaboration.
Action Plans
Building Partnerships
Collaborative Inquiry Practice
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvements on the learning skill and work habit of
self-regulation.
Action Plans
Intermediate Pathways and Transitions
Seamless Transitions
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St. Matthew Catholic School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students able to articulate strategies supporting their learning , as demonstrated by
perceptual data survey results (e.g. EQAO questionnaire)
Action Plans
Assessment For and As Learning
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years.
Action Plans
Differentiated Instruction
Literacy Program K-8
Numeracy Practices K-8
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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