Priorities & Goals

April 14, 2023

On Monday April 17, 2023, the Board of Education approved updated goals and priorities after a comprehensive review of board goals and priorities. The planned introduction of a new Provincial Education Plan (to replace the previous Education Sector Strategic Plan) has prompted the board to pause and reflect on what we are doing—and why we are doing it—to best serve students, families, and staff.

Our goals and priorities are intended to both reflect provincial strategic plans and help shape division plans such as areas of focus, school learning and improvement plans, and classroom goals.

Rooted in Faith

PRIORITY: Celebrating and Promoting Catholic Identity

RATIONALE: Catholic education in Saskatoon, Biggar, Humboldt, Viscount, Martensville, Warman and area grew from a shared desire by home and parish to teach children in a faith-filled setting. This relationship between parents and church has sustained Catholic education in Saskatchewan for more than a century. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools will continue to define and strengthen its Catholic identity to ensure Catholic education exists in our communities for future generations.

GOALS:

To strengthen the Catholic dimension of our school division as we support the faith journey of each individual.
To nurture staff members as they seek to deepen their faith so they may authentically fulfill their vocations of service and ministry in Catholic education.
To provide shared experiences, learning opportunities and closer connections between parish, home, and school—to enrich the faith lives of students, families and all school community members.
To be proactive, supportive, and intentional in enhancing Catholic education.

Growing in Knowledge

PRIORITY: Improving Student Learning and Achievement

RATIONALE: Catholic education helps all children in our division develop their God-given talents as they strive to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools combines academic excellence and spiritual development with support for the physical wellness of each student. A well-rounded Catholic education engenders a strong sense of belonging and identity that helps students become contributing citizens in their communities.

GOALS:

To support all students from early learning to graduation in successfully navigating the various transitions, and in discerning their pathways in life.
To continue to use the Inspiring Success and the Indigenous Education Responsibility Framework to reflect division plans and areas in need of further development.
To improve academic achievement for all students resulting in comparable outcomes in literacy and numeracy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
To provide specialized programs and supports for English language learners.
To provide relevant, responsive and supportive high school programming and opportunities to enhance retention, engagement and graduation rates for all students.
To provide engaging programming that supports belonging for all students resulting in comparable outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

Reaching Out to Transform the World

PRIORITY: Building Relationships and Partnerships

RATIONALE: Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools believes a strong relationship is needed between parents, their church and their school to educate children and youth to their full potential. We are committed to working with many groups and organizations within our communities, because we all share responsibility for educating children and youth.

GOALS:

To develop and deepen relationships with parents/caregivers, Catholic School Community Councils, the diocese and the eparchy.
To continue to develop and foster reciprocal relationships and shared responsibility with First Nations and Métis governance and organizations.
To support the settlement of families new to Canada through deepened relationships, partnerships and shared initiatives in partnership with various service agencies and associations.
To develop and enrich relationships with all levels of government—including various ministries within the provincial government—and the broader community as we work toward many shared goals.
To authentically encourage all student and family voice including Indigenous and EAL families.

PRIORITY: Promoting Stewardship and Well-Being

RATIONALE: Catholic education includes a calling to take care of God's abundant gifts. As stewards, board members are entrusted with the gifts of people, financial resources, facilities and the environment. We seek to receive these gifts gratefully and tend to them responsibly so that our work contributes to the greater good of the school division, our communities and our world. The Board of Education will continue to define and implement practices to achieve and sustain excellent board governance.

GOALS:

To support and nurture all of God’s people who minister in Catholic education within Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.
To responsibly allocate and utilize financial resources.
To proactively maintain, plan and advocate for student-centred facilities to meet our division’s current and future needs.
To support school communities as they help students learn to care for God's creation through sustainable stewardship of the land.
To provide opportunities to support the well-being of students and staff.