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New Directions
A Strategic Review of the Berry Street School was undertaken in 2014 by an independent company , Lyngcoln Consulting . This review was established to analyse the operation of the school and to determine the preferred direction of the school and the best operating model to achieve that preferred option . Consideration was given to the purpose of the school , operational structures , educational leadership , curriculum , compliance , governance and infrastructure .
The option that was determined as the most appropriate way forward was for Berry Street School to “ Consolidate and restructure ”. Goals of “ Improving facilities ” and “ Growing the education Footprint ” were recommended as being important parts of a longer term strategy .
The reviewers recommended several key steps that need to be implemented in the short term if the Berry Street School is to flourish :
• Clarify the strategic intent of the school as a fully integrated solution for students that prepares them for future study or employment .
• Establish dedicated and specialist leadership .
• Appoint a principal with responsibility for the development of curriculum , oversight of teaching and learning , staff supervision and professional development .
• Ensure consistency in teaching and learning with an agreed and common curriculum framework with a Trauma-Informed Positive Education ( TIPE ) overlay .
• Improve the information technology infrastructure .
• Separate the funding for the school into a separate business unit of Berry Street .
• Develop a communication strategy to support the change process .
• Implement a full review of all Position Descriptions to ensure clarity of roles , alignment of roles across campuses , and removal of duplication .
• Establish a Berry Street School Subcommittee of the Berry Street Board to steward the school .
These recommendations were accepted by the Berry Street Board and processes for the implementation of the recommendations are being enacted under the guidance of the Deputy CEO .
Resources And Facilities
A review of the infrastructure of Berry Street School was undertaken in 2014 by an independent company , Cameron Consulting Group . The report : Berry Street School Infrastructure Plan provided an assessment of the school ’ s infrastructure relating to aspects of the school properties including their occupancy , design , condition of buildings , maintenance and information technology infrastructure . Review of capital infrastructure and funding opportunities was also included .
The recommendations were that future properties need to be modern , efficient , cost effective and environmentally sound properties designed to meet Berry Street students ’ particular needs .
The properties should provide Berry Street with the ability to grow and to provide capacity to respond to short term emergency type student placements .
The school ’ s infrastructure must be developed to enable the implementation of best quality educational programs that attract and retain students and appropriately qualified staff , and also indicate to all that Berry Street is professional in its provision of educational facilities to its students .
The stated urgent priorities are : 1 . Morwell : relocation to be completed urgently .
2 . Noble Park : planning to begin immediately to relocate by 31 January 2016 .
3 . Shepparton : achieve security of tenure before any further development works .
A committee of high level personnel from relevant Berry Street programs including finance , procurement , ICT , property management , school principal and Senior Education managers will convene in 2015 to initiate the processes to achieve these goals .
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