Teaching & Learning

Investing in Excellence Through Professional Learning

At St Joseph’s College, we believe that great schools are built on a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and lifelong learning. Our investment in staff professional development reflects our commitment to ensuring every student experiences high-quality teaching, contemporary learning opportunities and the very best support for their growth and success.

Throughout 2026, staff across the College are engaging in a range of professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen teaching practice, wellbeing and student outcomes.

Staff Professional Development Day – Monday 18 May

On Monday 18 May, all teaching staff and education support officers will participate in a dedicated professional development day centred around the theme “Great Learning by Design". This pupil-free day provides an important opportunity for staff to come together to deepen our shared understanding of effective teaching and learning at St Joseph’s College.

The day will feature sessions led by Dr Tim O’Leary, focusing on the science of learning, the St Joseph’s College instructional model, and collaborative faculty planning. Staff will explore what it means to learn effectively, how evidence-informed teaching practices can improve student outcomes, and how theory can be translated into classroom practice.

Importantly, the day also provides time for faculties to collaborate on curriculum design and instructional practice, ensuring consistency, clarity and alignment across the College. This ongoing work strengthens our capacity to provide students with engaging, purposeful and high-impact learning experiences.

Supporting Excellence in VCE English

As part of our commitment to academic excellence and student achievement, St Joseph’s College has engaged Kirstin Bourne, an experienced VCE English consultant with over 20 years of experience in schools across Australia and the United Kingdom. A graduate of Cambridge University and trained at the Institute of Education (University of London), Kirstin works with a large number of Independent and Catholic schools across Victoria and has delivered professional learning for VCE English teachers through Catholic Education Melbourne since 2017. She brings deep, up-to-date knowledge of what VCE English examiners are looking for.

Kristen has already begun working with our English team, providing valuable insights into best practice teaching and learning in senior English.

As we move into a critical period of the VCE year, we are delighted to offer Year 12 English students an exceptional opportunity to strengthen their skills and build confidence ahead of end-of-year examinations.

From Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 May 2026, Kristin will be delivering three after-school lecture sessions specifically designed for Year 12 English students. These sessions will be held in The Hall, Brigidine Campus, running from 3:15pm to 4:00pm each afternoon.

The three sessions are:

Tuesday 19 May - Memory Police: Writing for Success

Wednesday 20 May - Unit 4, Area of Study 2: Analysing Argument

Thursday 21 May - Section B Exam: Creating Text Strategies

Attendance at these sessions is strongly recommended for all Year 12 English students.

Each session has been tailored to the specific demands of the VCE English examination and will provide students with targeted strategies, expert guidance, and renewed confidence in their approach to the exam.

Building Sustainable Wellbeing Through Professional Learning

For the past four years, our College has also partnered with wellbeing strategist and educator Amy Green to support staff wellbeing and sustainable workplace practices.

Amy’s work challenges traditional ideas about wellbeing, encouraging schools and organisations to move beyond quick fixes and instead focus on creating systems and cultures that genuinely support people to thrive.

This year, Amy will continue working with staff on workplace wellbeing, sustainable leadership and curriculum design as a wellbeing strategy. Her work highlights the important connection between clarity, consistency and effective curriculum planning in reducing workload pressures and strengthening collective capability across teaching teams.

Amy’s partnership with the College reflects our understanding that staff wellbeing and student success are deeply connected. By investing in the professional growth, support and wellbeing of our staff, we continue to strengthen a culture where both students and educators can flourish.

Lisa Sailard

Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning