Curriculum & Pedagogy

Teaching and Learning in 2020

As we move past the halfway mark in Term 1, teachers and students are well into their first units of work across all learning areas.  

We know that the most effective learning occurs when students are clear about what they are learning and what success looks like, and that being able to design the direction of their own learning through student voice and agency is a key factor in student engagement and growth. Our teachers are working with International Educational Consultant Lee Watanabe Crockett from Wabisabi Learning to explore how they can continue to investigate and shift their teaching practice to ensure all learners have an opportunity to succeed. This term we are revisiting the use of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in the classroom to help students discuss their learning and measure their own progress and success as real world learners.

We look forward to our partnership with Lee  over the next three years as we build a teaching and learning program that empowers students as drivers of learning in the classroom.

Year 9 Selectives

Our Year 9 program is underway and provides a significant change in the day to day school experience for our Year 9 students. As well as their core subjects, Year 9 students are now participating in three Selective subjects per Semester that explore everything from the Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient world, to the design of products and packaging, analysing whether the science we see on TV is actually real and how to utilise technology to be a better athlete. These subjects were designed by teachers and critiqued by student focus groups before choices were made at the end of 2019. Our Year 9's are now experiencing what it is like to have a voice in their own educational journey and to work with other students outside of their home group. 

We encourage families to welcome the challenge that can come with new experiences, and support their children to keep an open mind regarding their Selective subjects, as they form an important part of their Year 9 experience. All students have been given their top preferences at points across the school year and are expected to uphold the school values within these new subjects, just as they do in their core subjects. This looks like:

- Attending all classes on time and with the correct resources

- Engaging with the learning tasks presented in every class

- Receiving and acting on feedback from the teacher regarding their learning progress

- Working with the teacher to design the curriculum and learning activities where appropriate 

- Submitting assessment tasks on time and to the best of their ability

- Working productively with peers outside of their home group and friendship group

Each new year level at Secondary school brings different challenges and opportunities and we encourage all students to continue to perservere work with a growth mindset everyday. 

By Taryn Godley.