Curriculum Updates
News from around the classrooms by our Learning Specialist, Jess Goward.
Artwork by Alkina Edwards' Creations.
Welcome back for 2025! This year will be an exciting year as we celebrate our 150th anniversary and begin our first year of implementing new DE initiatives, such as the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and a new English Model to reflect Victoria’s Approach to Teaching Reading.
Already lots of work has begun to upskill teachers with the Phonics element of the new approach, including completing ‘Smart Spelling’ training over the first two days of school and DIBELS, (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) which is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills.
DIBELS has come from decades of research into supporting students in becoming successful readers. Teachers will also complete school visits later in the year to observe best practice in other schools as part of their professional development.
My role as Learning Specialist is to support the implementation of programs and strategies aligned with our school’s Teaching and Learning aspects of the Annual Implementation Plan and School’s Strategic Plan. To do this, I work with teachers in their planning, Professional Learning Community meetings and as an Instructional Coach. I oversee the Assessment and Reporting, Tutor Learning Initiative and Curriculum Development across the school.
Community Call Out!
On Friday, March 21st we will be celebrating Harmony Day. The day is an opportunity for us to recognise our diversity and bring together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. If any parents have aspects of their culture that they would like to share with our school community, please get in touch with me and we can discuss possible ways to celebrate the diversity of our cultures!