Staff Professional Learning 

From Gabi, Assistant Principal 

A reflection on staff professional learning

Last week, NMPS was very pleased to welcome Deb Sukarna for two days of Professional Learning, focused on Writing and the Writer’s Workshop. Deb is a leading educator in the area of literacy, with particular expertise in the Reading and Writing Workshop. Improving student outcomes in writing has been a focus for NMPS for several years, and the coaching provided by Deb aligns with the work we have been doing on curriculum development and strengthening our teaching practices in writing. 

Over the two days, Deb worked with our Year 1-6 teams to model the Writer’s Workshop, with a particular focus on writing conferences. She modeled how to analyse student writing, establish writing goals, and support students to take ‘next steps' with their writing development. A key focus was on developing 'big thinking' around a writing seed to encourage students to think deeply about an idea, to strengthen the message, and establish an authentic purpose of their writing. 

In addition to the in-class modelling, Deb presented professional learning for our PLT facilitators, and then to all teaching staff, including specialist teachers. It was a big two days, but we were so grateful for the opportunity to have Deb on site with us this year. We are looking forward to implementing these strategies over the next term before we welcome Deb back to NMPS in August.