Learning and Teaching

Student Free Day - 1st Sept

Thursday 1 September is a student free day so our teachers can take a Professional Practice Day. This is one of 3 days provided by the department in 2022 for teachers to focus on improving their professional knowledge, collaborate with colleagues and to plan and develop curriculum. This is a common day in Term 3 to minimise the disruption to learning that normally occurs when teachers take individual professional practice days during the term.

Learning Walks

During Term 3 we have introduced a process of classroom observations known as Learning Walks where teachers and leaders visit a number of classrooms for short periods of time to observe student learning in action. Learning Walks are a great way for teachers/leaders to observe different teaching approaches and to explore how students learn best.

These visits provide an authentic snapshot of a classroom environment and they do not disrupt learning or teaching. If the opportunity arises, walkers may ask a few questions of students about their learning. The information and ideas gathered in these walks helps the college to make better decisions about the how to improve the learning experience for all.

Maestro Next Steps - Parent Access Coming Soon

We have been working with the developers of Maestro for many months to build a powerful learning and teaching tool that better connects students to their learning and gives them the tools and the agency to take greater control over skills and knowledge acquisition.

In year 7 and 8, students use self-assessment and teacher assessment throughout a unit of learning in their classes, against a developmental rubric. These rubrics are visible on Maestro and all year 7 and 8 students have the opportunity in class and at home, to log into Maestro to view the learning steps and self-assess their learning progress. 

Students are now able to upload evidence of learning into the Maestro rubric and the teachers can provide worked examples of key skills/knowledge for students to use to support their learning. Please encourage your child to step you through Maestro.

We are at a very exciting stage with the improved functionality able to support students, teachers and parents. In the next few weeks we look forward to providing access to parents of year 7 and 8 students to these rubrics. More information and tutorials about Maestro will also become available. 

The Wantirna College Parent Focus Group will be invited to provide feedback to us on their experience of Maestro and how we can continue to improve it. We look forward to working with our focus group parents in coming weeks through the MS TEAM and an online forum towards the end of the term. 

If you would like to be part of this group of active parents, please email me. 

RRRR Program

Our Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program aims to develop students’ social, emotional and positive relationship skills.  At each year level the core elements of the RRRR program are embedded into the classroom curriculum through PE and Health or Explore and Amplify. We also offer extra-curricular opportunities to promote social and emotional skills and positive gender norms in young people to improve health and wellbeing related outcomes. Our Respectful Relationships Program is led by our Respectful relationships Coordinator - Sandra Middleton. 

This semester, we are very pleased to be able to offer the following incursions free of charge to our Year 8 and 9 students.

Year 8 One-Day Incursion

Thu 25 August  

Option 1: Year 8 SEED full day program is an interactive, engaging and empowering program for Girls (and transgender and non-binary students).  The SEED’s experienced educators utilise a variety of mediums and teaching techniques including role-play, art therapy, music and movement, to ensure that all students are engaged and learning throughout each session.  Building emotional intelligence and resilience, SEED Workshops teach girls to take control of their own lives, and to realise their full potential.

Or Option 2: Year 8 Realising my Potential is a whole day program for boys run by trained facilitators from The Man Cave organisation. The program supports boys to create their own unique version of healthy masculinity. They explore their personal identity, their unique strengths, how to care for themselves and what their values are, which all add up to them understanding how they can reach their full potential. 

Natalie Manser 

Assistant Principal

mar@wantirnacollege.vic.gov.au