Learning and Teaching

Welcome back to Term 4! 

While we have entered the final term of the school year, the learning at St Mary's is certainly far from complete! Our classrooms continue to be places of purposeful, engaging and high-quality teaching and learning, with every day providing valuable opportunities for our students to grow, consolidate their understanding and build upon their achievements. 

Exciting Developments in Assessment and Learning 

We are particularly excited to share that Impact Assessment has partnered with Ochre Education to provide an assessment platform that supports the precise and ongoing monitoring of student learning in English for Years 3–6 and Mathematics for Foundation to Year 6. 

This development provides our teachers with an additional evidence-based tool to closely analyse student understanding, monitor progress over time and identify specific concepts or skills that may require further teaching, practice or consolidation. 

By embedding regular, targeted assessment into our teaching routines, we can make informed instructional decisions, respond to individual learning needs and ensure that students have the opportunity to develop strong foundations without important gaps in their understanding going unnoticed. 

At St Mary's, we remain committed to the belief that every child has the right to high-quality education, and every child is capable of learning and achieving success. Through explicit teaching, consistent classroom practices and careful analysis of student progress, we continue to provide a learning environment where every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve their personal best.

Throughout Term 4, our teachers will continue to deliver consistent, evidence-based teaching, alongside regular progress monitoring and assessment. These practices are an essential part of our approach to teaching and learning, allowing teachers to develop a clear and accurate understanding of each student's progress, identify areas of strength and respond promptly to any gaps in learning. 

Importantly, assessment is not simply about measuring what students know. It is about understanding where each child is in their learning, celebrating their growth and identifying the precise next steps needed to support continued success. This information also plays an important role in preparing students for the next stage of their educational journey.

As we move through this final term, we look forward to celebrating the remarkable growth our students have made throughout the year while maintaining our focus on the important learning still to come. 

Every lesson matter, every step forward counts, and every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. 

Learning Together 

Angela Fiske-Kealy