“The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.”
A strength of Emmanuel Christian School (and all Christian Schools Tasmania schools), are the annual satisfaction surveys. The 2019 round has just been completed. As you are probably aware, we run three surveys simultaneously - one for parents, one for staff and one for students from Grade 5 to Grade 10.
The surveys are important documents that speak directly into the planning processes for the school. They are a series of documents that bring together the whole community, including our CEO and feed into strategic planning from the classroom to the Board.
The student surveys last year were followed up with a series of meeting with students, Mr Roberts, Mr Gillman, our CEO, and myself. One of the key outcomes from these meetings was a greater opportunity for student voice in the school. Initially, a student newspaper was suggested by students. This idea grew into the Media Crew under Mr Roberts’ guidance.
This group produces, amongst other things, a website and has featured in a number of important events which included the Gold and Founding Members event.
Staff and Parent Satisfaction surveys have contributed to the Master Plan development as we prepare to modernise classrooms, redo the courtyard and prepare for continued enrolments. Staff have been setting goals around enhancing academic standards and guiding students into Grade 11 and 12 subjects.
The Bible verse I started with from Exodus related to Jethro, Moses’ Father-in-law giving really important advice that transformed the management and leadership of the Israelites. The effort gone into the surveys has a similar impact here at Emmanuel Christian School. Proverbs 15:22 says, ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’
Let’s continue to work together to see growth and enrichment in all aspects of school life in this precious place.
Scott Winkler - Principal