Staff News
Professional Learning and Development
Teach Like a Champion
On Monday 1 September we sent 4 teachers to a professional learning called Teach Like a Champion. This professional learning offers effective teaching techniques to help teachers, especially those in their first few years, become champions in the classroom. These powerful techniques are concrete, specific, and are easy to put into action the very next day. Training activities at the end of each chapter help the reader further their understanding through reflection and application of the ideas to their own practice.
Teach Like a Champion is based on 5 Principles of classroom culture discipline, management, control, influence, and engagement. Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion, outlines 49 strategies to help teachers succeed in various classroom settings. Key techniques include setting high expectations, engaging students, and maintaining strong classroom culture. Teach Like a Champion emphasizes planning for achievement and building character and trust in students.
This professional learning ultimately leads us to the work we will be focusing on in 2026 – our Instructional Model. Many schools have moved to a consistent and structured lesson plan where students experience the same structure of lesson each lesson, each day. We know that when students have routine and structure, they can focus better on their learning.
Victorian Curriculum 2.0
Our Learning Area teams are currently in their final phase of finalising their curriculum documentation and assessments to fully roll out the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 in 2026. This has been a huge undertaking since 2023 for some of our larger learning areas in particular like English and Mathematics. Learning Areas are having regular planning days to ensure all is ready for 2026.
Staffing and Recruitment
Staffing Updates
We welcome back the following staff in Term 4 after a significant period of leave:
- Mrs Kelly Mills
Mrs Ellie Weiherer
Mr Matt Wirth has commenced leave until the end of 2025. We look forward to his return in 2026. Mrs Kelly Mills, Mr Dillon De Waal, Mr Paul Zepackic and Mr Andy Kaiser will be looking after his classes.
Staff Spotlight
This is an opportunity for our staff and community to get to know each other by way of asking each staff member to answer a few questions about themselves. I would like to share these with our community as I believe the partnership we have with our parents/guardians/carers is a valued and respected one and I am sure you would like to get to know the staff of your child’s school as a way of building these positive relationships and partnerships.
This month I would like to introduce to you Mr Dillon De Waal – Head of House – Joseph
- Born in South Africa, moved to Australia at 3 years old, and grew up in Somerville.
- Had two open-heart surgeries during childhood.
- Favourite food combo: Steak and eggs with beer.
- Loves that his career is never a boring day.
- If stranded on a desert island, he’d want his wife and Bear Grylls with him.
- Self-care: mowing the lawn.
- Most inspired by lawncare – there’s nothing better than a perfectly manicured lawn
Professional Culture and Growth
Have you been in contact with your child’s teacher lately?
Over the last two weeks we held our Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews. Thank you to all the parents who attended these meetings. Whilst we would hope that all our parents accept the invitation to meet with your child’s teachers, we also know that other events can intersect with these dates.
All teaching staff have been asked to make contact with parents if you were requested to attend an interview and you could not make it, or if the teacher was unexpectedly absent on the day. If this has not occurred yet, please make contact with the teacher via email to organise a suitable time to have an interview over the phone.
Whilst our teaching staff are all encouraged to reach out to parents, we also would like to invite you to make contact with them if you have noticed any changes to your child’s progress through the data you receive via PAM.
Mrs Georgie Beekhof
Deputy Principal – Professional Culture and Growth