St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. Catherine of Siena School is proud to be under the patronage of St. Catherine.
We, at St. Catherine of Siena School,
aspire to nurture, in partnership with
Church and home, the Roman Catholic faith,
and to provide our children with every opportunity
to grow and develop in faith as lifelong learners
so they may meet the challenges of the future.
Motto
Many Hands,
Many Lands,
One Heart,
One God
Catholic Focus
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St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
The St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School Community believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the
school’s community of learners. The school’s relationship with the church and parent community is vital in maintaining our existence as a Catholic school. The
School continues to provide a very Christian welcoming environment in which all may work and learn in a supportive, inclusive, meaningful, and respectful
manner. Within the context of an authentic Catholic learning community St. Catherine of Siena school strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to
realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society.” The school is further committed to:
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deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model
aligning a system-wide approach to Catholicity, whereby all educational practices are implemented through a Catholic lens
developing graduates who are fully alive in Christ, “not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions”
encouraging unique approaches to support system priorities and the principal strands of faith education: prayer and liturgy; sacramentality; morality
and justice; and scripture and church
As a diverse educational community of 80% ELL learners, responding to God’s call, St. Catherine of Siena fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere
rooted in tradition and scripture. The School continues to be committed to the guiding principles of Learning for All: K-12, Growing Success and to DufferinPeel’s Equity and Inclusive Education Policy (developed in accordance with the provincial Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy), while:
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being authentic witnesses to our Catholic faith
being responsible stewards of God’s grace in the world
respecting human dignity
modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service
To strengthen its Catholic identity, St. Catherine of Siena will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of students and staff, together with our
commitment to our educational programs such as our monthly focus on the Virtues, and community building activities which strive to integrate the School’s
fundamental beliefs and values into all of its endeavours. The school will continue to promote our Gospel values through the involvement and participation of
student in our Student Council, Adult Faith Ambassadors, Safe Schools Committee, Hearts and Hands Club, PALS, etc. The school will continue to provide
an enriched learning experience for students both academically and extra-curricularly.
Core Principles
Catholicity
The school community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services by:
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School fully encompasses the Virtues program in morning prayers, assemblies, liturgies,daily actions
Progressive discipline practices promote Christ-centred approach in finding solutions.
School encourages student participation in PALS program, SAC, Hearts and Hands Club and other extracurricular activities
Learning Environment
1. Summary of the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance:
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St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
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Primary Reading: 65%
Primary Writing: 85%
Primary Mathematics: 52%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO: math will be a primary focus, closely followed by literacy
2. Summary of the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance:
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Junior Reading: 77%
Junior Writing: 86%
Junior Mathematics: 58%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO: math will be a primary focus, closely followed by literacy
3. The school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning by:
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School encourages and promotes parent volunteers to work in classrooms along side children
4.The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners by:
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School continues to promote powerful teaching practices to improve student achievement based on research and evidence
Teachers committed to ongoing professional learning opportunities during PLC, Staff and Division meetings, and Board in-services
Community Engagement
1. The school community ensures that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community by:
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School is working hard to encourage parents to become involved in school council
Current members represent the diverse community
MSEP worker advocates for newcomers and provides a link between school and community organizations
School continues to dialogue with our Trustee; B. Iannicca, to keep abreast of the needs of the community
School continues to invite our Trustee; B. Iannicca, to school meetings, functions and celebrations. We continue to keep an open dialgoue relationship
with him
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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School works with the Student Nutrition Program (YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo) for support of Breakfast for Kids program
School working with Region of Peel Health Nurse to implement various programs offered by them
School continues to work with the YMCA program to help the transition of our students in the Full day learning program
Continue with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in school mentoring programs and Conversation Club
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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St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
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School encourages parents to participate in all liturgies of the eucharist and liturgies of the word
Parents are encouraged to participate in all school functions such as Virtue assemblies, school performances and classroom activities
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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School promotes the 4 R’s: Respect for self, respect for others, respect for school property and taking responsibility for their actions to provide a safe,
caring and inclusive atmosphere for all;
School participates in recycling initiatives
Eco Schools: the school received Gold ECO School Certification last year and will continue to foster and implement new ECO initiatives this year.
Outdoor learning place is used on a regular bases
Newly renovated Kindergarten outdoor space allows for a more inquiry based approach in outdoor learning
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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School practices fiscal responsibility by monetary distribution of budget wisely, and responsibly by implementing new Fees for Learning and
Fundraising policies
Monitor supply teacher budget and ASP program
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St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By 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 results.
Action Plans
Continue with activities that foster inclusion, self-esteem, confidence and acceptance amongst the school and Church community. (SEF 2.5)
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities, as
demonstrated by CBLP professional learning feedback.
Action Plans
To help cultivate a learning environment that supports professional dialogue about the big ideas in curriculum and how to implement instructional
practices that engage students and lead to deep conceptual understanding. (SEF 2.2)
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the successful practices that support transitional practices and an increase in the proportion of students who have
demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of self-regulation.
Action Plans
Ensure students, parents, families and educators understand the full range of pathways, programs, options and supports that are available. (SEF 5.3 )
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students able to articulate strategies supporting their learning, as demonstrated by EQAO
questionnaire.
Action Plans
Students are explicitly taught and regularly use self-assessment skills to monitor, improve and communicate their learning. (SEF 1.5)
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St. Catherine of Siena Separate School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years.
Action Plans
Provide opportunities for students to deepen their learning through authentic, relevant and meaningful student inquiry. (SEF 4.4)
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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