Learning
and Teaching
Next Wednesday, we will be welcoming our Classroom Mastery Coach, Bridie, to St Mary's. During her visit, she will spend time in classrooms across the school to see the routines that have been embedded into our daily learning practices.
The focus will be on our Cue to Start, Answering and Asking Questions, and Using Mini Whiteboards routines. These consistent practices support student engagement, participation, and learning across all year levels.
Students regularly use the visual guides shown below to help them confidently apply our Mini Whiteboard routine and actively participate in learning activities.
Expectation Spotlight – Weeks 7&8
Expectation Spotlight – ‘We Respond in Turn’
At St Mary’s, we are continuing to focus on our Care for Learning expectation, “We respond in turn.” This expectation helps students develop respectful communication skills and creates a positive learning environment where everyone feels valued.
Throughout the next two weeks, students will be encouraged to put their hand up when they would like to ask a question or share an idea, wait patiently for their turn to speak, and listen respectfully when others are talking. We will also be discussing the importance of using calm voices and speaking without interrupting.
By responding in turn, students learn that every voice matters. It helps create classrooms where everyone feels heard, included and confident to participate in learning conversations. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these skills at home as we continue to build respectful and positive learning communities across our school. |
This week, our teachers and Education Support staff have been heavily engaged in progress monitoring, assessment, and cumulative review processes across the school. These practices form an essential part of our commitment to evidence-informed teaching and ensuring every student achieves their full potential.
Cumulative reviews and progress monitoring provide valuable insights into what students have retained in their long-term memory from previously taught content. Understanding what students know, remember, and can apply allows teachers to make informed decisions about the next steps in learning. This ensures that teaching is intentional, responsive, and tailored to meet the individual needs of every student.
The results of this recent assessment cycle have been extremely positive. They demonstrate strong student growth and highlight the close connection between our targeted intervention programs and high-quality classroom instruction. When intervention and classroom practice are aligned, students are provided with the best possible opportunity to consolidate their learning and achieve success.
We are incredibly proud of the commitment shown by both staff and students in embracing these practices. Teachers have worked diligently to collect and analyse meaningful data, while students have demonstrated persistence and effort throughout the assessment process. Together, we are building a culture where learning is continually monitored, celebrated, and refined.
Thank you to our teachers, Education Support staff, and students for recognising the importance of these practices and for embedding them into the daily life of our school. The investment we make today in understanding student learning will continue to strengthen outcomes for our students well into the future.