Teaching and Learning 

Term Wrap Up

It has been such a wonderful term with Concord staff getting to know the students and their families. With the Covid restrictions easing it has been lovely to see different parents/carers around the school.

Within Concord School we offer a PreCAL program that operates in Secondary 7/8 and Secondary 9/10, it provides a pathway for some students with higher support learning needs to prepare them for engaging in the VCAL curriculum delivered in Secondary 11/12. The PreCAL program is an applied learning approach designed to support students in accessing the curriculum and engaging in learning experiences which reduce the abstract nature of learning in classrooms. 

Classes are engaged in an experience, regularly out in the community, which links to the overall unit theme. Students learn by engaging in a direct application of skills through the experience and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to hands on and/or real world settings. This experience is then used to provide learning content for Literacy and Numeracy where links can be made. 

Language is central to learning in all areas of the curriculum, Students in 7/8 PreCAL have been using a Language Experience approach which provides engaging opportunities for students to document their experiences which can be recorded and later read.  Last week saw 7/8 students reading and following instructions about ‘How to make a kite’ which provided a stimulus for their Writing lessons throughout the week.

This evidence based way of teaching allows teachers to support students through scaffolded talk to document experiences and ideas, using familiar and expanded vocabulary, modelling ways in which their thoughts and words can be written down. Jason, Colin and myself had the pleasure of being the ‘Sharks’ (for all those Shark Tank fans) for the 9/10 PreCAL Pitch for their end of term party. 

The preparation for this involved students researching, planning and preparing a presentation for when we came to approve their requests as presented on their vision boards. The oral language development not just through reading and writing but also through working in teams and presenting was evident in each classroom. I know Jason, Colin and I were proud of the students’ efforts and after receiving our invitations, we look forward to attending the end of term celebration. 

This is only one example of the many engaging and authentic learning experiences that are offered across the sections at both Concord Campuses.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Take care,

Flora Nixon

Assistant Principal

Teaching and Learning