Committees

ENGLISH

As mentioned in the Principal's Report, last week we were very fortunate to commence our relationship with Stephen Graham who is a leading expert in the teaching of English, and the acquisition of language. Our staff are very capable already in teaching English, however we too are lifelong learners and can always refine, sharpen and deepen our knowledge of how best to meet the needs of all of the students at Mackellar. 

Stephen modelled lessons in each year level of the school with his dynamic and engaging approach to teaching English.  The buzz and excitement in the classrooms he visited was palpable as students verbally constructed, and then wrote a variety of texts from descriptive texts in prep, through to recounts in grade 2, expositions in grade 4 and response texts in grade 6. 

Whilst he was modelling, teachers from across the school were able to watch him teach and then debrief with him the reasons why he approached literacy concepts in particular ways.

The staff were very keen to be involved, and to continue the work between his visits.  Providing lockdown ends as planned, he will be back this week tackling that age old dilemma of spelling. 

Aside from the work in the classrooms, Stephen is assisting the English Committee in mapping our curriculum to ensure it is a well-developed and sequential curriculum that provides the greatest opportunities for success in each and every classroom. 

Regards, 

Meghann Wurm

Learning Specialist (English)