...Learners leave St Patrick’s self motivated and ready to make a positive impact on their world

When I commenced as principal of St Patrick's school in 2016, I worked with the staff, students and the parent community to create a succinct vision statement. The outcome of that work is our "why" ...We are engaged and motivated learners always faithful to our loving God. How did we get to this statement? You can read the back story at this link. 

Ongoing professional learning enabled our staff to develop a detailed, shared vision narrative and core values that encapsulate "how" to bring the vision to life. As I prepare to leave St Pat's, I feel assured that the shared vision and the accompanying core values are truly embedded throughout the actions of the community. 

In particular, the last sentence of the shared vision is is especially significant. It states "what" we want for our Year 6 graduates.....Learners leave St Patrick’s self motivated and ready to make a positive impact on their world..... 

Our St Pat's students start to demonstrate self motivation in Year 5. I recently went to talk to one of our Year 5 classes about the school's shared vision. They asked me if the vision narrative is a piece of persuasive writing from the staff. This is indeed an impressive observation from Year 5 students who certainly know the power of persuasive writing.

The following story clearly links the vision, the core values, the impact of purposeful teaching, the learning that followed and the outcome of the heartfelt, self motivated actions of one Year 5 learner. 

This is the story of how Elisha and her classmates show that they are already self motivated to make a positive impact on their world.....

Below is a letter from Elisha

A few weeks earlier, I received some letters from Elisha and her Year 5 classmates.. 

Elisha set the scene expressing the far-reaching effects of the pandemic.....

Darby supports her case by making reference to relevant research...

And Lily... her pom poms!

Eliza strengthens her case by referring to the school's core values....

And Tate also emphasises our core values....

Persuasive letters from the whole class proved too much for me ! How could I resist these requests written with such passion and purpose ? The Year 5C class definitely succeeded in persuading me that they should go to the swimming carnival. 

All of the efforts to support their peers at the swimming carnival planted a seed in the mind of one reflective Year 5 learner and the actions that followed definitely made an impact on her world.

With the support of Elisha's classmates and the whole school community, Elisha's persuasive letter about raising funds to Fight Parkinson's through a school bake sale became a reality. 

Elisha later told me that her Poppa cried with joy at the outcome of her actions.

Below is the response from Fight Parkinson's

Hi Elisha and classmates of 5C,

I am writing to you today to thank you for raising funds for Fight Parkinson’s at your school bake sale. I heard that your baked goods were delicious and sold out very quickly!

We appreciate the phenomenal effort you have made in helping to raise awareness and funds of $1,065.00 to help people who have Parkinson’s disease. Well done!

We would also like to thank all of your supporters and the St. Patrick’s Primary School community who helped you to achieve your goal.

Please see the attached Certificate of Appreciation; we thank you once again for your generosity and support of our organisation.

Kind regards,

Melanie Worthington Donor and Supporter Services

When we can share heartfelt stories that demonstrate the authentic and purposeful actions of our young learners, then we are gifted with the evidence of ... learners being self motivated and ready to make a positive impact on their world.....

I received a number of beautiful messages of congratulations when I announced my new position to the community early this term.

The message below from one family reiterates the difference that we can make when we listen with our hearts and believe in the immense capability of our young learners.. to make a positive impact on their world.....

.".....I just want to say thank you for everything you have done, in particular the way you have empowered little people to feel they can approach you with suggestions and ideas. I still remember my three girls wanting to do something to help Michelle Barclay when she was diagnosed. Their little idea of getting our beautiful school involved in Daffodil Day was received so well by both you and the staff. You then continued to empower the girls to speak about it and to help run the day. This day is now a day the school and our entire community acknowledges yearly. What a beautiful Legacy to be a part of....."

We are all learners no matter who we are; be it students, staff, parents or community members. We continually learn and grow, we change 2 flourish in our professional and personal lives.

Like our St Pat's graduates, I too feel self motivated and ready to make a positive impact  in my new role as Leadership Consultant for the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Many rich and rewarding learning experiences at St Pat's have contributed to who I am and have prepared me to be able to support, advise and and grow the leadership capability across several MACS schools.

I am truly blessed to have led the St Patrick's school community for 6 years with the support of such inspiring leaders and staff. 

Each and every staff member is open to learning to be the best that they can be and will continue to remain committed to the school's vision and values. Our staff will ensure that the young learners that they teach will have the very best opportunity to grow and flourish so that when our learners graduate in Year 6, they too will...

....leave St Patrick’s self motivated and ready to make a positive impact on their world.....

Acknowledgements:
Miss Currenti and the Year 5C students for sharing their persuasive letters and giving me permission to publish extracts from some of the letters

Elisha for wanting to make a difference for her Poppa

All of the inspiring students, staff and families at St Patrick's school

William Martin, John Edwards, Mary & Lab Wilson for the Schools That Deliver professional learning