What is excellence?

How do we measure excellence in a school? Is it having NAPLAN results in both years 3 and 5 that exceed the national average? Is it being rated as one of the top 25 schools in South Australia, outperforming all the schools in our local area? (for more info visit this link - https://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/sa/sa_top_primary_schools.aspx) 

Is it having happy students who enjoy attending school because they feel safe and like they belong? Over 75% of our students here at St Joseph’s Kingswood do according to our Pulse data that "most of the time," whilst at school they feel safe, they feel like their teacher cares for them and that they belong. 

Is excellence having one of your teachers recognised as the best teacher in South Australia for their particular discipline? Mrs Steph Insanally, as you would all be aware, was recognised as best music teacher in South Australia. Steph also won an award over in Melbourne for the best Piano instrumental teacher as well. 

Is it having students compete at elite levels in their chosen sport? We have had students represent St Joseph’s Kingswood as well as South Australia at state levels. Both Emily Daunt for swimming and Noah Pitman for cricket. We’ve also had our knockout netball team and our knockout basketball team make it through to the grand final that will be held later this term.  We have also had students represent St Joseph’s in and south east region in SAPSASA swimming, netball, cricket and soccer. 

Is excellence having a highly regarded transition program that supports young children as they start school for the very first time? A transition program that that due to its success, been adopted by other Catholic primary schools across South Australia. 

Is it being recognised by outside organisations for our outstanding work in Visible Learning. With leaders and teachers from other Catholic schools visiting St Joseph’s Kingswood to see how we have embedded visible learning into our school culture. 

Is it being able to offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities for students such as debating, chess, STEM, strings tuition, sports clinics and now our new academies?

Is it having a highly connected and invested school community where parent reps regularly organise events for both children and parents so that families feel welcome and are able to get to know one another?

I’m not sure how other people measure excellence but for me St Joseph’s Kingswood truly is a school of excellence!

Now a secret answer for our upcoming Quiz Night. To all the people who have taken the time to read this article and are attending our upcoming annual fundraiser, the answer to the question "What exotic destination would Mrs Fowler like to visit next." The answer is Fiji. Shhh!  Don’t tell anyone else this is your bonus answer for reading the newsletter.

Thanks,

Emma