Learning Diversity
The Vision for Engagement
Yesterday Justin McFarlane and I attended a professional development day alongside other leaders from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. We spent the day learning more about MAC's Vision for Engagement. The Vision for Engagement is a faith inspired and evidence- informed system wide commitment to nurturing calm, respectful, and inclusive learning environments where students are best supported to thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
The Vision for Engagement is a learning improvement strategy. Every action and practice is designed to support growth in learning outcomes. To achieve this vision, our teachers learn to understand students deeply and comprehensively – across cognition, behaviour and wellbeing – to enable optimal conditions for learning and growth. At the core are two implementation strategies and six engagement practices that support schools to make the vision a reality. The six engagement practices include:
1.Fostering belonging
Belonging is the experience of being accepted, respected and connected. When young people feel like they belong they are more likely to participate in their learning and broader school life.
MACS schools will explore belonging through a Catholic identity, foster student-teacher relationships, build relationships with families and offer experiences beyond the classroom.
2. Focusing on attendance
School attendance has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels.
The focus on attendance, and not absence, is providing a strengths-based frame.
MACS schools will focus on attendance first and then absence, review responses to absences, maintain inclusive environments, engaging ongoing monitoring and intervene early.
3. Teaching respectful behaviours
Behaviour is teachable and is not fixed.
Self regulation is a key factor in behaviour
Research indicates that proactive strategies are more effective than reactive ones.
MACS schools will focus on creating a safe and predictable culture, establish high expectations for student behaviour. Teach clear, predictable classroom routines, reinforce positive behaviour, respond to behaviour instructionally and implement consistent responses to behaviour.
4.Promoting mental health and wellbeing
MACS schools prioritise the holistic wellbeing of every student by fostering nurturing environments where they feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive The MACS vision recognises that wellbeing and academic growth reinforce each other.
5. Enabling motivation
Motivation is fluid and ever changing
MACS schools will establish norms focused on learning excellence, focus on effective instruction for all, show students how they have improved, build a learning culture where it is ok to make mistakes, and develop self regulation skills.
6. Targeting individual learning needs
MACS schools will implement accessible learning, approach learning needs from a holistic viewpoint, maintain inclusive classroom environments, ensure access and participation, have data informed interventions, and use targeted teaching and make adjustments as required.
Amanda Martin
Deputy Principal/Learning Diversity Leader
