Principal's Report
Principal’s Report
Staff Professional Learning Day
On Monday, 28 July, our staff participated in a full day of professional learning, continuing our commitment to strengthening teaching practice through the implementation of the Brentwood Teaching and Learning Model across all classrooms.
The day provided valuable opportunities for staff to deepen their professional knowledge, collaborate with colleagues, and further refine the high-impact teaching strategies that support every student's learning journey. Our professional learning focused on two key priorities:
- Deepening our understanding and application of the Science of Learning in everyday classroom practice.
- Collaboratively developing and refining Opportunities to Respond (OTRs) strategies and resources to embed into upcoming teaching and learning programs.
We were fortunate to work alongside educational leader Phil Coloca, who facilitated an engaging and thought-provoking workshop exploring the Science of Learning and its strong connection to our 2026 school improvement focus on Enabling Learning. A key emphasis was placed on the effective use of Opportunities to Respond (OTRs) to secure student attention, increase participation and regularly check for understanding throughout lessons.
Staff also explored the importance of cueing attention and maintaining student focus through evidence informed practices. These sessions encouraged teachers to reflect on their current classroom routines and identify ways to further strengthen student engagement and learning.
Professional learning days are an essential investment in improving outcomes for our students. They provide dedicated time for teachers to collaborate, reflect on their practice and identify refinements that enhance both learning and wellbeing. Our continued focus on developing consistent, whole school high impact teaching practices helps create classrooms where students feel confident, engaged and motivated to challenge themselves as learners, leading to stronger growth and achievement.
We look forward to seeing these strategies brought to life throughout the semester as we continue to strengthen the implementation of the Brentwood Teaching and Learning Model across our school.
Student Merits Celebration
We were delighted to recently celebrate a number of outstanding students who were recognised for achieving the highest number of Student Merits within their House and year level.
These students have consistently demonstrated Brentwood's values of learning and community and have been recognised by their teachers for their positive attitudes, respectful behaviours and commitment to learning. Their achievements reflect the positive impact that living our school values has on both academic success and personal wellbeing.
It was a wonderful occasion to present these students with their certificates in the presence of their families. Following the presentation, students, parents and staff enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate together over light refreshments.
Congratulations to each of these students on this well-deserved recognition. We hope this achievement inspires them to continue striving to be the very best learners and people they can be.
Student Forums
Over the past week, a number of students have participated in our annual Student Forums, providing valuable insights that will help shape future school improvement initiatives.
This year's discussion topics were informed by the preliminary results of the Term 2 Student Attitudes to School Survey. To better understand the varying perspectives reflected in the survey data, students participated in separate male and female discussion groups, allowing us to explore differences in student experiences and perceptions in greater depth.
The forums focused on three key areas:
- Effective Teaching Time – the extent to which teachers prepare students for learning, maximise class time and provide meaningful feedback. This aligns closely with our whole-school focus on Enabling Learning.
- Learning Confidence – students' confidence in their ability to learn and succeed.
- School Connectedness – the extent to which students feel they belong and enjoy being part of the Brentwood community.
The feedback and perspectives shared by our students have been thoughtful, honest and incredibly valuable. We sincerely thank all students who participated for their willingness to contribute so openly. Their voice is an important part of our continuous improvement journey, and the insights gathered will help inform future decisions as we continue to enhance learning opportunities, strengthen student wellbeing and ensure every student feels connected, supported and successful at Brentwood.
Sonja Ardley
Associate Principal