Learning and Teaching

Robyn and I have continued to attend Professional Development facilitated by Dr Lyn Sharratt who is a highly accomplished practitioner, researcher, author, and presenter. 

We have been in a cohort with other Catholic schools and we have promised an ongoing commitment to this work in our school and to enact what is learned.

Our school’s journey is documented so we are able to share this across the other schools and eventually as part of a larger symposium.

Our aim: To develop and embed a shared and consistent understanding of contemporary pedagogy

Here is a summary thus far of what we have achieved:

Retell: What have we done?

• As a staff we re-created our Data Walls for Reading and Numeracy to include growth
• As a staff we agreed to use Learning Intentions (LI) & Success Criteria (SC) across all classrooms which are displayed in each classroom or on the screen during remote learning as well as in teachers’ Work Programs
• At the beginning of each Wednesday's staff meeting one teacher shares their LI & SC for feedback
• Training on Bump it up Walls provided to staff with existing Bump it up Wall visited and feedback given
• Process for Case Management revisited. Based on our Data Wall each teacher has chosen two students to focus on (one high and one low ability) 
• Learning Walks have commenced   

Relate: What have we learned?

• We were unable to do this alone so we engaged ‘knowledgeable others’ via Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) staff to support our learning
• Important to provide the purpose to staff about what we are aiming to achieve 
• Support staff by allocating time via staff meetings. We are more powerful and successful when we learn together as a team
• Focus on one element at a time 
• Check on progress to ensure their is a shared and consistent understanding across the school so that changes are embedded

Reflect: What impact have we had?

• Students have a greater understanding about what they are learning, what success looks like for them and how to articulate this
• Through working with Dr Lyn Sharratt and through the TLC (Teaching and Learning Collaborative) we have access to professional learning and a framework for school improvement
• As a result of professional learning provided we have been able to increase staff capacity

Kind Regards

Mrs Margret Maher

Learning and Teaching Leader