Our Strategy and Vision
Our actions are guided by our Vision and Mission. Alongside our Values. these statements steer our long term decision making.
Strategic Plan 2020-2023
Our Strategic Plan sets out our approach and pathway for the more immediate future.
Strategic Intent: To improve the Literacy skills of all our students.
To deliver consistent teaching practices that are data and research informed.
To use individual student data that informs teaching practice.
To develop a feedback culture effectively within the school.
Simonds is committed to ongoing improvement
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team is responsible for the overall management of the College in all its key areas of operation with a focus on policy development, operations, planning and direction.
Members
PRINCIPAL | Mr Peter Riordan
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - St Brigid's | Mr Robert Anastasio
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - St Mary's | Mrs Helen Koutoulogenis
BUSINESS MANAGER | Mr Halyer Rayner
Governance Statement
Simonds Catholic College is a school which operates with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is operated and governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS).
MACS governs and operates 292 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese to continue the mission of Catholic education to proclaim the Good News and equip our young people with the knowledge, skills and hope to live meaningful lives and enrich the world around them.
Because the good work of educating the young is a co-responsible task led by every member of the Catholic school community, School Advisory Councils have been established to provide a crucial point of connection between the wider school community and school leaders.
This governance model was designed to ease the administrative burden on our schools and parishes, allow parish priests to focus on the mission of education in the parish, enable greater collaboration between schools and ensure greater consistency in school policies and procedures.
More information on MACS is available at macs.vic.edu.au.
The College Board
The College is managed by the Simonds Catholic College Board, under delegation from the Canonical Administrator, in accordance with the Constitution which is approved by the Archbishop. According to the provision of Canon Law the College Board acts as a Board of Management, and is responsible to the Canonical Administrator who in turn is subject to the vigilance of the Archbishop (Canon 1279).
The Responsibilities of the Board are:
- To support actively Catholic education as described in "The Code of Canon Law" and in the directions and guidelines determined by the Archbishop, by:
- maintaining the Catholic nature of the College;
- ensuring that the "Guidelines for Religious Education of Students in the Archdiocese of Melbourne" 1995 or other additional or revised guidelines/directives are followed;
- promoting the development of a Christian community within the College; sponsoring a comprehensive curriculum which underpins the specific Catholic ethos of the College;
- becoming involved as appropriate in other Catholic adult education initiatives within the local community.
- To establish, ratify and review regularly the objectives of the College.
- To select and determine policies in consultation with appropriate parties which will assist the Canonical Administrator, Principal and staff in working towards these objectives as stated in 1 above.
- To evaluate the effects of the Board's decisions in achieving these objectives.
- To ensure on behalf of the college community that the curriculum and educational standards are adequate to meet the needs of the students.
- To plan, implement and evaluate the financial and building programs necessary for the recurrent and long-term effectiveness of the College in accord with its responsibility to consult appropriately with various diocesan and civil authorities.
- To manage the College's finances.
Terms of Reference for Simonds Catholic College School Advisory Council
Statement of Democratic Principles
The VRQA Minimum Standards for School Registration includes a standard concerning the school’s adherence to Australian democratic principles and practice.
This standard is as follows:
The programs of, and teaching in, a school must support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:
- elected Government;
- the rule of law;
- equal rights for all before the law;
- freedom of religion;
- freedom of speech and association;
- the values of openness and tolerance.
Simonds Catholic College is committed to the principles of a liberal democracy.
- We believe in an accountable, democratically elected government.
- We respect and observe the rule of law, and believe that no person is above the law.
- We believe in equal rights for all before the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender or other attributes.
- We believe not only in the freedom of religion, but also the need to practice tolerance and understanding of others' beliefs.
- We believe in the value of freedom of speech and freedom of association, but also acknowledge that we have the responsibility not to abuse this freedom.
- We believe in the values of openness and tolerance, and value and respect all members of the school community regardless of background.