Survey helps plans for school improvements

“STUDENTS spend more of their waking hours in school than anywhere else, so it stands to reason they will have a view on what is working and what can improve.”
According to Catholic Education Office project officer school improvement Paul Murphy this is one guiding principle behind a survey into school performances within Toowoomba diocese.
Mr Murphy said the survey, which closed on August 16, asked parents, students and staff in Catholic schools across the diocese for their views on how well their school was doing.
“We launched the survey during Catholic Education Week and have had a great response,” he said. 
“St Mary’s in Toowoomba and Dalby’s Our Lady of the Southern Cross Colleges are leading the way with the most responses from students and staff.”
The online survey asked for responses to statements such as: “teachers help to motivate me to learn”, “the school has well established and aspirational targets for student achievement” and “staff work well together as a team”.
The survey was designed in consultation with Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute who have also worked with other dioceses including Townsville and Broken Bay.
“The results of the surveys will be used to identify priority areas for each school to include in their 2014 School Improvement Plan,” Mr Murphy said.
“Under the Federal Government’s Better Schools plan, all schools must have a plan in place by 2014. 
“All of our schools are on track for having this plan in place for the beginning of 2014.  
“We believe that providing opportunities for our students, parents and staff to provide feedback is the key to having a robust school improvement plan.”