Principal's Report

Report from Westall Secondary College

Principal 2024

Dear Westall Secondary College Community,

Our “Westall Way” model for learning and teaching is attached for you. This model has been in place for many years at Westall and has been updated this year with new charts in every classroom and some additional reference to wellbeing, voice, and agency. I am pleased to let you know that the Victorian Education Department’s latest resources and guidance to schools is based on the evidence and research listed here with links for you. 

All aspects of our Westall Way including EDIM (Explicit Direct Instructional Model), TAPPLE, Westall Points (Positive Behaviours) and Wellbeing supports align with the evidence and Education Department’s direction. We have been “ahead of the curve” and now the Department is expecting all schools to follow the model we have been following for many years. Great validation for our school and supports why we keep getting such great results year after year and that the models we have in place are the right ones.

Evidence of the learning process and implications for teaching approaches

Reading

• How students learn best: An overview of the evidence – AERO
• The science of learning – Deans for Impact
• Principles of instruction – Rosenshine
• Cognitive load theory – research summary – CESE

Podcasts

• Mind the Gap podcast with Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, including Designing Teaching and Understanding Learners with Dylan Wiliam
• Ollie Lovell’s Education Research Reading Room (ERRR) podcast: https://www.ollielovell.com/podcast/
• Brendan Lee’s Knowledge for Teachers podcast - Dr. Jenny Donovan on accelerating the use of educational research in Australian classrooms

Happy reading and listening for those that have the time and interest to find out more.

Remembrance Day - Monday 11th November 2024

School captains, Bilal, Mearlea and Erin representing Westall SC at the Clayton RSL Remembrance Day service with Mr Lanarus. Lest we forget.

Until next time,

Mr Tristan Lanarus

Principal