Charter 2017-2020

Section 1:Introduction

Strategic planning is the process that assists with managing change to the best advantage for our school,staff, learners and the community.

The Strategic Plan gives rise to how we lift, extend and sustain educational achievement for all learners over the next three to five years. The Linton Country School Board of Trustees is committed to the national Education Guidelines, through policies, plans and programmes, including those for curriculum, assessment and staff professional development.

In preparing this strategic plan, the Board has consulted the community with their aspirations for the learners and the School. Parents, staff, whanau, learners and other stakeholders have been able to share their views as to the direction the school should be heading through community meetings, questionnaires, informal sharing and a combined charter/ strategic planning workshop. The community holds a strong vision for the future of the learners at Linton Country School with a commitment to achieve positive and realistic goals. The community sees as essential the development of a core set of values.

The community is proud of the school and its history, its standing in the district and supports continued growth to provide excellence with a rural dimension. In moving forward, the school openly embraces change and actively encourages risk taking and innovation among its staff and learners with a strong focus on progress and achievement. The Board fully supports staff as learners and leaders.

The Strategic Plan provides the framework for coordinated, facilitated action to achieve the goals.
Identified in Linton Country School strategic plan are the following goals:

1. 1. Learning and Curriculum
2. 2. Roll Growth and Stability
3. 3. Personnel and Development
4. 4. Cultural Competence and Responsiveness
5. 5. Community Partnership
6. 6. Diversity and Uniqueness
7. 7. Property and Environment
8. 8. Financial sustainability and accountability

Background Information on the School and Community

Our school:

We are a growing, learner focussed, family orientated Full Primary (Age 5-13yrs), rural school.

Linton Country School was established in 1889 in the settlement of Linton which came into existence as a result of the railway. Linton district gained its name from Mr James Linton. He was one of the first Directors of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company, making us the oldest school in the area.

Historically, flax growing was a major industry for the area but it is now home to a successful mixed farming and lifestyle community. Our well resourced school is 15 kms South of the major city of Palmerston North, close to Massey University and Linton Defence Force Military Camp. The School is nestled in the heart of the rural Linton community in the shadow of the Tararua Ranges.

Our learners and rural/Enviro focus:

Our school community is made up of both local and inner city learners. Our school strives to create a safe and supportive learning environment.

Consistent with our rural focus, Linton Country School has made a commitment to Environmental Education and is an Enviro School. Learners are involved in taking action through experience. Our annual Lamb and Calf day also continues to be a major school event, with the first pet day dating back to 1931.

Our community:

Our learners enjoy school life and have a positive attitude towards the learning process. We are well supported by the community. Our entire school community place a high degree of importance on learners achieving success, while continuing to have a love of learning with a curriculum that is relevant, engaging and fun!

All our whanau work together to support each other and their learners. “It takes a village to raise a child!” We have a supportive and proactive Board of Trustees.

Our facilities:

Linton Country School is well resourced. We have fantastic facilities, extensive grounds with ample shade from the Manawatu sun. We have an excellent playground, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, a library and community hall. In addition to our large playing fields we have small paddocks which support and enhance our animals in education component to our local curriculum.

We have a strong commitment to digital technology and strategically plan for the speed in which this changes, ensuring our learners and staff are current in their practices.

Vision Statement:

Ka ako tahi kia angituu
‘Learning together for success’

Values:

Our School Values have been developed through consultation with all stakeholders. These values are intended to form the foundation of our curriculum and foster the attitudes of our lifelong learners.

Learning Together For Success, the golden circle@Linton Country:

Strategic Goals For Improvement

Strategic Goals	Core Strategies for Achieving Goals 2017 - 2020
1. Learning/Curriculum To provide a high-quality,student centred education	* Each learner strives for high standards and makes significant personal progress in all areas, especially reading, writing and maths * Development and implementation of a relevant curriculum is aligned to our Vision and values * Literacy and Mathematical capabilities of all learners are accelerated for those who are at risk of underachieving * Assessment, evaluation and review is used to inform better learning; * learners actively learn in the outdoor environment, including animal education and within an Enviro -school status * There is a focus on accelerating progress for priority learners; * Elearning is embedded across the Curriculum * Learners are keen to learn and have the capacity to do so through self-directed learning * Learning is developmentally appropriate and play based is explored * Health, nutrition, Physical skills and fitness leads to effective participation in a range of activities and wellbeing * Creative original ideas and thoughts are encouraged, valued * Student voice is actively sought and valued * Te Reo Maori is incorporated into learning programmes * Learners explore self-assessment * Reading Recovery strategies are embedded in programmes * Critical and creative thinking is expanded upon.
2. Growth and Stability To continue to be future focussed providing our community of learners with awell organised school,promoting lifelong learning.	* continue to grow the roll giving financial stability * Increase the financial understanding, capability and capacity of Board of Trustee members * Engage with the community for support and guidance * Spread the word about the excellence in education at Linton Country School * Have consistent positive relationships with media * Continue to be proactive on social media * Consistently produce correspondence for parents and the community * Encourage the use of school grounds, facilities and resources by the community * Continue with proactive promotion and marketing * Grow the roll of learners - target 12 by the end of 2017 - 16 by the start of 2018 * Engage with the redeployment office at Linton Army Camp to encourage interest in LCS * Have a short term goal to return to two teacher status * Identify feasibility study for bus transportation * Engage with local pre-school groups and preschoolers in the area to encourage day visits * Develop a 4 year old session for potential learners * Ensure all staff, BOT and community are proactive advocates for LCS * Produce new logo, brand and marketing tools to reflect LCS values * Be proactive in the technological world * Ensure the school facilities and school grounds are attractive, well maintained, safe and inviting.
3. Personnel To attract, support and develop the highest quality staff.	* Continually strive for development of professional educational opportunities * Support First time Principal’s programme * Encourage collaboration through COL and neighbouring schools * Are committed to professional learning which is directly focused on raising student achievement; * Support appropriate professional development for all staff and BOT members * ensure all auxiliary staff have current and relevant contracts following employment protocols * Consistently evaluate appraisal systems * Support career pathways and educators can deploy their passions/strengths. * Encourage active appreciation
4. Cultural Competence/Treaty of Waitangi To build and sustain te reo meona tikanga.	* Staff and BOT are educated around the ‘Treaty of Waitangi’; * Learners experience maori culture in an authentic manner; * Maori achieve success as Maori; * Trustees, leadership and staff are responsive to whanau, local community, iwi or government priorities * Maori learners all know their oral heritage * We liaise with local iwi for direction, guidance and support
5. Community Partnership To extend and enrich the partnerships that exist.	* Welcoming of community involvement and use of resources - playgrounds, tennis court, swimming pool * Focused on Health and Safety with all community users * Continually extending partnerships and collaborating with educational centres- focused on early childhood educators * Building on business partnerships with local sponsorship and funding opportunities * Welcoming and encouraging parents/caregivers to be actively involved in school operations * Striving to continue to be community spirit centred around Linton Country School - both educational and community involvement * Continue to communicate updates to community on a regular basis - identifying progression, news and new developments * Encourage development of hall and property useage.
6. Diversity & Uniqueness To provide opportunities that enhance our special character.	* we continually strive to provide opportunities that are unique to LCS * we are flexible, creative, future thinkers * The country flavour of LCS is reflected in the Curriculum * Offering small classes for accelerated learning
7. Property/Environment To provide an environment conducive to positive learning.	* Learning spaces are given priority; * There are exciting opportunities for learning in the outdoors; * Occupational health and safety is attended to - including signage and hazard identification * Our cultures are positively reflected; * There are a range of play options; * The environment is vibrant, motivating and beautiful * We ensure maintenance is appropriate and prioritised * We ensure adequate shading is provided for outdoor play * We maintain visitors register with professionalism, meeting compliances * We continually identify developments for school property * We maintain a safe swimming pool for community to use during summer
8. Financial Sustainability and Accountability All financial decisions are transparent and support the strategic direction of LCS.	* We grow partnerships and collaborate with businesses * We continue to grow the roll * We regularly communicate updates through newsletters and social media * Sound and informed financial decisions are made

Annual School Improvement Plan 2018: Summary

Strategic Goals	Annual Goal	Actions and Responsibilities	When	Who
1. Learning/Curriculum To provide a high-quality,student centred education 6. Diversity & Uniqueness To provide opportunities that enhance our special character.	To develop personalised earning through an Enviro School focus Develop tools with the students for promoting innovative thinking Annual Targets All learners will make at least 12 months progress in the learning area of mathematics. All learners will be At/Above relevant standard in writing All learners will make at least 12 months progress in the learning area of reading.	* Develop plans and actions with Horizons Environmental Management Officer Neil Mickelson and Environmental Educator Sarah Galley. * Offer student choice/agency for learners to develop a specified area of the school. (orchard,waste, trees, gardens,murals, chooks… * Visit other environmental schools to begin developing our enviro schools curriculum * Plan and use tools in all areas of the curriculum to developthinking (Tony Ryan,Karen Boyes, Costa * Observe at other schools that use tools to develop thinking.	Term 1 - Term 4 Term 2 Term 1 - 4	Staff BOT Parents Learners
2. Growth and Stability To continue to be future focussed providing our community of learners with a well organised school, promoting lifelong learning.	To develop relationships with the local pre-schools and promote the teaching and learning happening at our school.	* Approach and organise with ECC an exchange that is suitable for all parties. * Planned rostered days for each local centre, developing Nga Teina/Tuakana relationships * Supply some transport to support ECC visits working in with ECC staff and Principal’s release * Connect enviro learning with preschoolers visits * Sustain relationship with regular visits to local pre-school centres * Design and develop a brochure celebrating what we offer at LCS	Term 1 Term 2 Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Term 1	Principal/Claire/BOT Jo/Principal/Learners and Parents
3. Personnel To attract, support and develop the highest quality staff.	Embed the Arinui Appraisal and TAI portfolio to ensure quality reflection and commitment to professional learning which is directly focussed on student achievement.	* Follow our procedures ensuring our Arinui Portfolios are kept up to date. * Use free support from Arinui to learn to use this system efficiently. * Regular weekly meetings with myself and Claire to discuss children’s learning and their next steps. * Term evaluations to be completed with recommended next steps with followed up action. * Develop teachers passions andstrengths that align with enviro schools. * Invest in the office manager’s own personal development (i.e google docs through visiting other officemanager’s and /orcourses)	Term 1 - 4 Ongoing End of each Term Ongoing Ongoing Term 1 & 2	Principal/Claire/Karen
4. Cultural Competence/Treaty of Waitangi To build and sustain te reo me ona tikanga.	To develop a mihi whakatau in order to have an ability for the students to welcome visitors	* Use local community members with knowledge (Bud Christensen and Heidi ) to help coconstruct our protocols around welcoming visitors and developing a structure for our mihis * All students have a basic mihi	Term 2	Principal/Heidi/Bud
5. Community Partnership To extend and enrich the partnerships that exist.	Explore the use of the hall after hours to help promote the school.	* Tune piano and approach piano tutors to see ifthey’d like to run paid piano lessons from the hall * Contact Manawatu Badminton offering our facility for a social badminton club * Geocaching Club * Dance - Hip Hop, Jazz, ballet, contemporary * Fundraise for a good sound system in hall	Term 1 - 4	Jo/BOT Geocaching Club -Learners and Principal
7. Property/Environment To provide an environment conducive to positive learning.	Enhance our school buildings and grounds	* Prioritise the items listed in first stage of 5YA plan - electrical upgrade, water treatment upgrade, toilet upgrade, roof replacement * Low maintenance gardens * Support learners to enhance their area of the school through the enviro schools curriculum e.g materials for school mural and garden furniture, beds, chooks * Dance - Hip Hop, Jazz, ballet, contemporary * Fundraise for a good sound system in hall	Term 1 - 4 All gardens out the front of school to be completed by April 2018 Term 1 - 4	BOT/Principal Principal to facilitate work with parents Principal/Claire and Learners
8. Financial Sustainability and Accountability All financial decisions are transparent and support the strategic direction of LCS.	To understand and use financial reports developed by Education Services	* Both Principal and Board complete financial training with Education Services(include references back to audit)	Once a term End of Term 2	BOT/Principal

Improvement Plan - Learning in Writing 1. To provide a high-quality, student centred education
Annual Goals: To develop personalised learning through an Enviro School focus. Develop tools with the students for promoting innovative thinking.	Annual Target: All learners will be At/Above relevant standard in writing by the end of 2018.
Baseline Data: At the end of 2017, 22% of our children were Well Below, 11% Below and 67% At National Standard in Writing.
Key Improvement Strategies	Indicators of Progress (What will we see)
* Use our cycle of inquiry developed in 2017 to explore, develop, use, challenge, reflect on our practice using effective writing instruction by Dr Alison Davis. This resource provides teachers and students with the knowledge and skills to become active and engaged in the process of learning to write- and learning from writing. It offers explicit support for effective classroom instruction. It explores key ideas about writing and presents numerous examples of how teachers can plan for and develop instruction. The accompanying CD contains graphic organisers that can be used for independent paired and small group work during instruction, and as part of planned practice and maintenance of previous learning throughout the year. * Explore growth mindset and whether this has an impact on student engagement and progress - use contact given to me at College Street for initial exploration - * Use thinking tools to promote writing * Observe and respond to other schools oral language and writing programmes * Respond to and use literature - Learning in the Fast Lane * Respond to and use literature - Teaching in the Fast Lane * Apply for PLD in March 2018 trying to access Alison Davies * Gather and respond to student/parent voice * Develop an oral language programme to assist with writing * Link writing programme to many aspects of our enviroschools learning	* Improvement in writing results - meeting target * Our learners engaged in and enjoying the writing process * Our learners engaged in conversations to support the development of own and others writing ideas giving feedback and next steps. * Teachers responding to student voice, reflecting on their practice and its effectiveness - adjusting their programme accordingly - TAI
Monitoring * Setting goals and monitoring progress regularly using Kids Speak Writing Progressions * TAI process * Gather student voice each term * Moderation with Cluster Schools twice a year
Resourcing * Apply for PLD in March * Text books approximately 4 texts needed at approximately $55.00 per copy * Release for both Claire and I to visit other schools to observe writing programmes

Improvement Plan - Learning in Reading To provide a high-quality, student centred education
Annual Goals: To develop personalised learning through an Enviro School focus. Develop tools with the students for promoting innovative thinking.	Annual Target: All learners will make at least 12 months progress in the learning area of reading
Baseline Data: At the end of 2017, 22% of our children were Well Below, 11% Below, 56% At and 11% Above National Standards in Reading.
Key Improvement Strategies	Indicators of Progress (What will we see)
* Continue to strengthen what we learned in our cycle of inquiry in 2017 in this area of learning * Continue to attend Reading Recovery tutorials using this group for suggestions and ideas around moving children * Break reading rotations into the 3 sections using reading recovery structures * Extend children to read novels * Explore the possibility to have group discussions online about reading material being read by others from other schools * Gather student voice and respond to their needs * Official reading recovery June onwards if required * Run workshops with parents to guide how they can help their children at home	* Learners will be engaged and enjoying their reading * Learners will be sharing their enjoyment of books with others * Steady progress will be being made on reading reading assessments appropriate to age and stage.
Monitoring * Running records completed every 4 weeks for children reading between levels 3 - 17 * Running records completed when required or at minimum once a term. * Reading tracked on a graph and entered on to SMS * Regular contact with parents * PATs completed in Term 4
Resourcing * Marie Clay’s effective strategies * Sue Ruffell - Reading Recovery tutor * Learning in the Fast Lane * Effective comprehension strategies - Alison Davies * Claire and I

Improvement Plan - Learning in Mathematics To provide a high-quality, student centred education
Annual Goals: To develop personalised learning through an Enviro School focus. Develop tools with the students for promoting innovative thinking.	Annual Target: All learners will make at least 12 months progress in the learning area of mathematics.
Baseline Data: At the end of 2017 11% of our children were Well Below, 11% Below and 78% At National Standards in Mathematics.
Key Improvement Strategies	Indicators of Progress (What will we see)
* Continue to strengthen what we have learned from our inquiry last year * Continue to develop our timetabling using ALIM philosophy targeting a small group twice daily * Focus on problem solving techniques using strand and incorporating number into these stands using enviroschools curriculum as much as possible * Complete maths curriculum documents for LCS * Gather and respond to student voice	* Curriculum documents complete * Steady progress in mathematics * Learners engaged with their mathematical learning * Providing students with as many hands on projects so learners are able to apply their mathematical strategies and knowledge to real life context using our enviroschools focus - building of glasshouse, mosaic tiles, building garden beds
Monitoring * Assessment resource banks * Mathletics data * Student maths profiles * IKAN * GLOSS - beyond stage 4 * JAM * basic facts programme
Resourcing * Accelerated learning in the fast lane * Good mathematical questions * Mathletics * Building materials