Learning and Teaching

Individualising Learning 

How do teachers know what to teach?

As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them on the path to success as adults. 

At St Mary’s each week, teachers engage in an ongoing cycle of learning. This cycle of learning is driven by the evidence and data that teachers collect about each student. In the past, this data was often gathered through formal paper and pen testing however, research shows that this is often limiting and does not always represent what students' true strengths are, and most importantly, what they need to learn next. 

To ensure teachers are engaging all students at their appropriate level, they collect evidence and data from a number of sources, including: 

• Work samples
• One-to-one conferences
• Open-ended tasks
• Observations
• Evidence rubrics
• Standardised testing 
• Tracking on continuums of learning.

This data helps teachers to understand the knowledge and skills each student has in a particular area and how they can support them to continue to grow. It also helps to identify students who need more support or intervention, as well as those students who are ready to be challenged and extended in their learning. 

This week, our years 1 to 6 students begin their mid-year PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests). This is a standardised form of data that is collected by schools to check in on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy. This data, along with the data collected by teachers throughout the year, is used to create goals for student learning and to ensure all students continue to grow and flourish.

Later this term, we will be presenting some of this data in our Student Learning Conferences. These conferences are a time when teachers can share evidence and data about each child and set individualised goals that will support them to grow.  

Our Student Learning Conferences will be held on June 25th and 26th. Information and booking details will be shared via Operoo next week.

Home Learning Page!

Please click on the image below to visit your child’s Home Learning Page and stay up to date with their learning.