Learning Specialist News

AGP Curriculum Day

Staff arrived at Port Melbourne Secondary College with a mix of anticipation and fatigue with laptops charged, and legs still feeling the effects of a big day out at the Grand Prix, Zoo, Museum, Legoland and the Aquarium.

Gathered on the lands of the Boonwurrung people, and taking a moment to acknowledge First Nations legacy, the team launched into first aid training. The session was hands-on and practical, equipping staff with the confidence to respond to everything from playground incidents to sick bay visits.

While the content was intensive, covering key protocols such as DRSABCD, asthma management, and anaphylaxis, there were plenty of laughs along the way to lighten the mood and keep spirits high. A valuable and engaging session that has set us up well for the year ahead.

After loading the resus dummies onto their trolleys, we got stuck into unpacking the work we had done over the previous 12 months by defining our Reading Priority Standards.

For a peek behind the curtain, there is always robust discussion about curriculum, with passionate educators clarifying outcomes while keeping students at the centre of every decision. Without completely revealing how the sausage is made, we arrive at a shared understanding of the key areas of reading that, grounded in the Science of Reading and our knowledge of the curriculum, will deliver the best outcomes for our students.

Each year level team then sifted through the curriculum, deepening their understanding of how the pieces fit together and how best to apply effective practice in the classroom. The vibe was intensely magical.

Term 2 Planning

To build on the work done during the curriculum day, in week 10, teams across the school will sit down together to plan ahead for Term 2. This will mean a change to specialist timetables in week 10, but will provide staff with adequate time to work together to review student data and plan the term to enable success for all students. 

Ben Sanderson