Teaching & Learning
NAPLAN
NAPLAN is upon us once again. Please see above graphics for our Year 7 and Year 9 testing schedule. Note that we will run catch up sessions for absent students until March 24th- any missed tests post that will be entered as absences so we do not further interrupt the teaching and learning cycle this term.
Please keep an eye on Compass for further information regarding devices and other expectations around sitting NAPLAN in 2023. It is key to note that NAPLAN is only one way we measure student achievement and learning growth here at ECSC but we do encourage students to do the best they possibly can.
Tutor Learning Initiative 2023
The Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) is up and running again for this school year, with some familiar and new faces for students and teachers. Returning as tutors for 2023 are Anushka Devineni and Shelby McKenzie, with Nikala Bervanakis, Elena Bervanakis and Katerina Klimovski being introduced into the initiative, which is coordinated by Leading Teacher Sara Mamone.
The TLI team will be focusing on Year 8 Literacy and Numeracy support within English and Mathematics classes, working to provide extra support to identified students within the classroom to make learning easier and more comprehensible in these spaces.
Specifically, we will help students improve on the relevant skills in each class they may struggle in or find difficult. Tutors will act as an extra resource for students to use to ask for questions and help, and to reiterate the classroom teacher’s lesson. Students are encouraged to engage with tutors both in their classroom and in the courtyard. We are eager to get to know everyone and contribute to the positive atmosphere of every classroom we visit.
If your child has been selected to participate in the first round of the program you will receive an email in the coming days.
Sara Mamone
Leading Teacher Curriculum & Pedagogy
English As An Additional Language (EAL)
As part of our ongoing support and commitment to our students at Edgars Creek Secondary College, our growing cohort of EAL students has come with great excitement and growth within our EAL program. Over the last 2 years, we have seen a great increase in the number of students who have English as an additional language. It has been our pleasure to be able to support this cohort in developing and supporting their learning.
In combination with the DIT team and leadership, we have developed a great initiative, working with our new Literacy Intervention Teacher, Nicole Kanderovskis. This has been introduced as a 4 week cycle, which will give EAL students the opportunity to further develop their English literacy skills as well as their confidence as a learner in the classroom.
In the meantime, the EAL team is focusing on supporting students and teachers throughout the teaching and learning process. This is being implemented through building teacher capacity by working exclusively with teachers who have EAL students in their classrooms; by discussing and implementing the most appropriate modifications and teaching strategies based on individual student needs.
For the remainder of the semester, the team will be focusing on building teacher capacity by implementing workshops in the PLC space, blending in with inquiry cycles designed to further develop teaching practices.
We look forward to updating you on the progress within EAL space.
Viktorija Nikolovska
Acting Learning Specialist - EAL
Sabrine Barakat
EAL Instructional Leader