Vision Sightlines - our strategic plans
What an incredible term – another incredible term: we just notched up 29 terms of life at Living School.
The opportunities and experiences offered over our five years are humbling.
We move into our 30th term, appropriately labelled ‘Service’. The raison d’etre of Living School is to develop good people for a good, sustainable future. This very broad vision allows our education pathways to meet the diverse needs of a community.
In the final week of last term, we commissioned an experienced education consultant to review our administration and management. The report landed on my table this week and it was clear we have the quality staff – but we need to consider outlining our strategic vision for the next five years. Anyone in management knows a five-year plan is a sight-line but not reality. I mean, look at our last five years!!
There is no way we could have plotted our vision against bushfires, pandemics, floods and growth.
So this communication from me is to try to paint in very broad brush-strokes the vision of Living School today – and into the near future. I do so graphically, and this poster will adorn all our walls – you can print it out and place it on your fridge (or behind your loo door!).
What is clear from the graphic, is the scope of what we are striving to achieve. Each thread is purposeful and has a committed team of teachers and staff needed to grow the programs. But all is achievable as we expand our staffing requirements.
Each of us has a responsibility to realise this vision – it needs to be shared and it needs to be considered in light of the legacy we are all supporting. Living School’s sight lines are clear but there are many threads woven into the tapestry and the pathways we weave move through wefts and warps. For those who have understanding of weaving – the threads must have tension and must be carefully selected. I shared this – with some hesitation as when you look at the ‘whole’ you may feel a little overwhelmed. Take a deep breath – this is what is in my head. The vision of leadership is not a chosen destiny – it is a navigation chart. It needs a crew and it also needs the captain to listen, to read the room, to push intentionally when needed, but to also understand when time is needed.
If you consider our longest thread – the Kindergarten to Year 4 campus – I hope people feel the success of a well-run, well-managed and consistent team of exceptional teachers and staff. We really do have incredible people in our community.
