A Courageousand Inspiring
FutureStrategic Plan 2021-2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF COUNTRY
As we begin our journey, we acknowledge the Traditional custodiansof Toowoomba and the surrounding regions, the Western Waka
Waka, Giabal and Jarowair peoples and pay respect to their Elders
past, present and emerging. We pay respect to their continuing
culture and song lines that traverse these lands and the contribution
they make to the life of this College and region.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGEGET UP AND DO
NOT BE AFRAID.
(Matthew 17:7)

This Strategic Plan, A Courageous and Inspiring Future, outlines
a shared vision for St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba that will
direct our journey for the next four years. It is founded on a rich
Catholic Ursuline Tradition inspired by Christ and the footstepsof our foundress St Angela Merici, who lived a faith-filled life
and was responsive to the signs of the times.

A Courageous and Inspiring Future is a dynamic document,
designed to respond boldly to the anticipated needs ofcontemporary young women living in a world of change. It
represents our commitment to perseverance and action indelivering our vision and mission in the spirit of St Angela Merici.
I am grateful to the Most Reverend Bishop Robert McGuckin(DD MCL JCL), the Australian Ursuline Sisters of the RomanUnion, the College Board Chair Mr Peter Cavanagh, Board
Directors, staff, families and students for their contribution tothe development of the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan.
I commend A Courageous and Inspiring Future to you in the90th year of our College history as testament to acknowledging
our heritage and extending our shared commitment to a future
more wondrous.

Tanya Appleby
BEd (Syd), Pg Cert RE (ACU), MEd (Macq), MRes (Macq), MACE.

Principal

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A Courageous andInspiring Futurein what manner you must
“ Consideresteem them, for the more you esteem

CULTURESTATEMENT

them, the more you will love them; themore you love them, the more you will
care for and watch over them.				

“St Angela Merici,
Prologue to the Counsels 9,10This Strategic Plan gives life to the College’s Culture Statement by acknowledging that St
Ursula’s College Toowoomba, is a Catholic educational and residential community in theUrsuline tradition, dedicated to the education and care of young women.
We strive to create learning opportunities that will encourage students to takeresponsibility for their own thinking and learning, so that they may become moreresourceful and empathic young women who seek:••

development of a personal faith and spirituality; andparticipation and leadership in all facets of today’s and tomorrow’s world.

The challenge for all is to model relationships within and beyond our community, based on:
••
•
•
•

mutual respect;tolerance and acceptance;
care for the individual and the environment;interdependence and collaboration;
service;in support of our students growing in wisdom, justice and integrity and contributing
responsibly to their own transformation and that of society.

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
Education Declaration
A Courageous and Inspiring Future, also builds on the work of previous Strategic Plans andsupports the national document, The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration(2019) to promote,(a) vision for a world class education system that encourages every student to be thevery best they can be, no matter where they live or what kind of learning challenges
they may face. (p. 2)

Responding to the Signs of our Times
Inspired by the life of Christ and the Gospel, our future is hope-filled. A Courageous andInspiring Future aims to empower our students to be courageous and compassionate young
women of integrity in a world that is characterised by change.
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A Courageous andInspiring Future

THEURSULINE WAY
Our unique educational model, The Ursuline Way, values relationships, attentiveness tothe needs of individuals, understanding people and working in harmony as signs of God’s
love for every human being. It recognises the importance of transformational learning andindividuals moving from dependence to independence and then to interdependence.

The Ursuline Way consists of three distinct features that affirm our Culture Statement andposition our young women to respond to signs of our times.

THE URSULINE WAY PROVIDES:

A model for livingin the world.

A way of learningin the world.

A manner of contributing
to the world.

Each feature is inter-connected to three touchstones that underpin our ministry andour educational endeavours. These touchstones support our goals and decision making
processes as we seek to make the Gospel ‘the beating heart’ in our community.

Building Unity
through Community.

6

Every Face has aPlace.

Courage and Compassion
Every Day and in Every Way.

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COMPANIONSON THELEARNING
JOURNEY
for you, live and behave in such a way that your daughters“ Asmay see in you a model. And what you want them to do,“

do it yourselves first.

OUR FAMILIES

future of humanity lies in the hands“ Theof those who are strong enough toprovide coming generations with reasonsfor living and hoping.

We strive for partnership with our families
so that they will also encourage
The Ursuline Way as a model of living,learning and contributing to thecontemporary world. This partnership isachieved through open communication,
relational trust and by genuine invitation
to be part of a thriving and inclusive
community. Together, we share theresponsibility of nurturing and educating
our daughters and students.

St Angela Merici,
Sixth Counsel 1-2

OUR EDUCATORS AND
STAFF
Our educators and staff are empowered toposition, promote, challenge and embed
The Ursuline Way in their daily interactions
with students, families, and throughtheir work endeavour. This is achieved
by developing positive partnerships andethical transactions that support respectful
relationships through a spirit of cooperation and shared values. Together,
we are responsive to the needs ofcontemporary learners and the changing
educational landscape.

“Gaudium et Specs 31

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CHAIR OF
THE BOARD’S
MESSAGECHALLENGES AND
MODEST BEGINNINGS
In 1877, the Ursuline Sisters were forced to leave
their home in Duderstadt Germany, and seek
shelter in England as a result of the anti-clericalpolicies of a newly unified Germany. Five yearslater, following an invitation from the Bishop ofArmidale, ten Ursuline Sisters made their way
by boat, train and then coach to establish an
Ursuline school in Armidale, New South Wales.
Here they began teaching the local girls in theUrsuline Tradition established hundreds of years
before by their foundress, St Angela Merici.

that you strive with all your might to remain“ See
as you are called by God, and to seek and desire
all the ways and means necessary to persevere andmake progress to the end. For it is not enough tobegin, if one does not also persevere.

“St Angela Merici,
Rule Prologue

10The establishment of St Ursula’s College
Toowoomba occurred in November 1930,
when Mother M Angela Dalton and her four
companions took up residence in the historic
home known as Kerrielaw, formerly the home of
the Hogarth family from Balgownie in Southern
Queensland. St Ursula’s College Toowoomba
opened during the Great Depression on
2 February 1931, with seventeen students
including three boarders. Contrary to the beliefof the Toowoomba community at the time, theUrsuline Sisters were dependent upon their own
resources to survive and in these early years hadbarely sufficient operational funds. As a result,
the College and convent were modest andfrugally furnished. Despite this, even in the firstyear of existence, one student gained first placein the state for verse speaking. Other academic
subject offerings at the time, included the studyof English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics,Geography and History.

COURAGE AND ACTION
In the face of uncertainty our forebears haveprovided examples of courage and actionthat we can draw on in a fast changing andunpredictable world. Since we know that thefuture will continue to surprise us, we must put
plans in place, so we are ready to respond andthrive whatever the circumstances.
The Strategic Plan, A Courageous and Inspiring
Future does not foretell the future. Instead it
offers a vision that reflects what is important.
This vision is more than just mere words, instead,ensuring that everyone knows what is importantat St Ursula’s College. This Strategic Plan provides
direction and purpose to action plans and acontext for decision making in the future.
The College Board is proud to present A
Courageous and Inspiring Future, and in doing so,
is committed to continuing to work with theCollege Principal, Mrs. Tanya Appleby, and herteam to bring this vision to fruition. So, despite
our challenging and modest beginnings, St
Ursula’s College Toowoomba continues today as
Toowoomba’s largest Catholic secondary schoolfor girls.

Mr Peter Cavanagh
B.HMS (UQ), Dip Teach (QUT)

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to times and circumstances,“ Iftheaccording
need arises to make new rules orsomething differently, do it prudently andwith good advice… For in this way, without
a doubt, Jesus will be in your midst, andas true and good master, he will enlighten
and teach you what you have to do.

OUR VISIONOUR MISSIONOUR VALUES

Empowering courageousand compassionate young
women of integrity toshape the future.

To contribute responsibly
to our own transformationand that of others insociety.

Service, Courage,Compassion, Justice andRespect.

OUR TOUCHSTONES“St Angela Merici,Last Legacy

Building Unity throughCommunity.

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Every Face
has a Place.

Courage and Compassion
Every Day and in Every Way.

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you understand what I have
“ Dodone for you? You call me Masterand Lord, and rightly, so I am. Ifthen, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet, you should wash
each other’s feet.

OUR STRATEGICPRIORITIES“1John 13: 13-15

A CONNECTED AND
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY

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A LIMITLESS LEARNINGCOMMUNITY

Together we will:

Together we will:

••
•
•

•
•

Expand faith formation opportunities
Grow service learning
Promote cultural diversity
Enhance community connections

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Develop a pedagogical framework
Promote the capacity of learners andeducators
Target academic improvement
Enhance the management of data••A HEALTHY ANDHOLISTIC COMMUNITY

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A SUSTAINABLE AND FUTUREREADY COMMUNITY

Together we will:

Together we will:

•••••
•
•

Initiate The Merici CARE Model
Align policy to practice
Track academic care
Enhance student leadership•Respond to demographic trends
Improve systems management
Transform targeted learning andrecreational spaces
Position the College for sustainable successmove, believe, strive, hope,““ Act,cry out to him with all your heart,“for without a doubt you will see
marvelous things...				

“St Angela Merici,
Prologue to the Counsels 17- 1814

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St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba.
38 Taylor St, Toowoomba QLD 4350
st-ursula.qld.edu.au • 07 4632 7611
ABN 27 122 611 858 • CRICOS 03033M