Teaching and Learning Update

Can you believe that Term 1 is almost over?

My name is Janneke Newson and I am a new member of the Mordialloc College leadership team in 2022. This is my third year at Mordialloc and my current role is a member of the Instructional Coaching Team leading Years 9 and 10. In addition, I am also leading programs for the Koorie students at Mordialloc College. 

Previous leadership experience

Prior to joining Mordialloc College, I have been privileged to be a member of school leadership in a number of previous roles. I have experience leading the Humanities faculty, as well as as a leader in the Senior School. I have worked in roles as an educational coach; leading professional development; coaching; and school-wide teaching & learning programs. Additionally, I have also worked closely with students identified as highly-able learners and intervention support to ensure that all students are met at their point of need. My teaching experience has centred mostly around teaching VCE Commerce subjects in a combination of both government and non-government secondary schools. I am also a board member of the Australian Indigenous Alpine Sport Foundation and I am particularly passionate about the use of data to inform teaching practice, wellbeing and positive psychology, education policy, Indigenous education programs and highly-able learners.

PLC Link School

2022 sees Mordialloc College embarking on a journey as a ‘PLC Link School’ in the local region. A professional learning community (PLC) is a method to foster collaborative learning among colleagues with a particular focus on driving student learning growth and whole school improvement. Mordialloc College has been a PLC school for a number of years, and this year we have taken on the role to be a ‘link school’, providing support for other schools who are implementing a PLC model. My role as a member of the instructional coach team involves leading the PLC program at Mordialloc, as well as the ‘link school’ program for other schools in the area.   

Mordialloc Experience (MEX) and Industry and Enterprise (I&E)

One additional element of my role sees me involved in leading the Mordialloc Experience (MEX 2.0) at Year 9 as well as Industry & Enterprise at Year 10. 

Students in the MEX 2.0 program have recently been undertaking research of an ethical issue and have surveyed members of the local community for their upcoming project. This task has seen the students out-and-about liaising with the public and gathering data at Mordialloc and Southland. 

Students in Industry and Enterprise have been working hard, researching particular career pathways of interest, along with features of their chosen profession and higher education institutions that will support them in their pursuits and elements of their chosen roles. In Term 2, they will move on to complete a Virtual Work Experience project. They are also invited to undertake a physical Work Experience placement during the June/July school holidays. Work Experience is a vital part of the pathway planning process and careers education for students. Exposure to the workplace allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of employees and the use of employability skills is a valuable experience we strongly encourage all students to consider. Unfortunately, due to the remaining COVID-19 restrictions, placement might be challenging to obtain, however students and families are encouraged to investigate possible opportunities. For more information about Work Experience, please contact your student's Industry and Enterprise teacher and Emma White, Careers Practitioner.

Koorie Programs

The year is off to a fabulous start for our Koorie students and the Indigenous Education Program at Mordialloc College. I have been working closely with Mental Health Practitioner Melanie Raike from our school Wellbeing Team to develop a program to suit the needs of our students and deliver further education about Indigenous culture to the staff and wider college community. Later this week, we have a small delegation of students attending the Koorie Youth Summit, and we will be also participating in a cultural immersion program at Willum Warrain in Week 10. Maintaining a strong and positive connection to culture and Country for Koorie students is an essential element in improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. In addition to incorporating essential learnings of Aboriginal culture and history into the mandated curriculum, we also aim to run a selection of whole-school programs and performances this year. Students are identified to participate in the program based on enrolment data. If you and your family identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander but this is not reflected on the enrolment forms, please contact the General Office to ensure that these details are up to date. 

Attached is a copy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander key annual dates for 2022 for your interest. Please keep an eye out on social media and upcoming newsletters for photos and reports for the programs we are running. 

Janneke Newson 

Learning Specialist – Instructional Leader 9-10

Koori Student Coordinator