Learning & Teaching
Leader: Erin Emmett
The Neuroscience of Learning
Each year researchers understand and reveal more about the way the human brain learns and develops. We must be responsive to this. Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL) commits to prioritising regular evidence-based Professional Learning for all staff, so that they might better understand and be responsive to the needs of the students they teach and support.
CESL have partnered with Dr Jared Cooney Horvath from Learning Made Easy Global.
At St Patrick’s Primary School Tongala, we are committed to implementing evidence-based teaching practices that align with the Neuroscience of Learning. Understanding how students learn best allows us to create effective, engaging and supportive learning environments that enhance student outcomes.
The Science of Learning
The Science of Learning combines research from cognitive science, psychology and education to identify the most effective ways to support student learning. At St Patrick’s, we apply these principles to ensure our teaching practices are grounded in research and best support student achievement.
Key principles of the Science of Learning include:
Attention and Engagement – Students learn best when they are actively engaged and focused on the learning task.
Memory and Retention – Learning is strengthened through repeated exposure, retrieval practice and structured review.
Scaffolding and Support – Breaking learning into manageable chunks helps students build on their prior knowledge.
Cognitive Load Theory in the Classroom
Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) helps us understand how students process and retain new information. CLT suggests that working memory has limited capacity, so teachers must design lessons that reduce unnecessary cognitive load and make learning more efficient.
Strategies we use to apply CLT in our classrooms:
Explicit Instruction – Breaking down complex concepts into clear, step-by-step explanations.
Worked Examples – Providing guided examples to help students master new skills before independent practice.
Dual Coding – Using visuals alongside verbal explanations to enhance understanding.
Chunking Information – Presenting content in small, meaningful sections to prevent overload.
Retrieval Practice – Encouraging students to recall information regularly to strengthen long-term memory.
Enhancing Student Learning
By integrating the Neuroscience of Learning and Cognitive Load Theory into our teaching practices, we are equipping students with the skills they need to succeed. Our goal is to create a learning environment where every student can thrive, develop confidence and build a deep understanding of key concepts.
Ongoing Professional Learning
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, our staff will be engaging in professional learning with Learning Made Easy Global early in Term 2. This professional development will focus on the Neuroscience of Learning, enhancing our understanding of how the brain processes and retains information. By deepening our knowledge in this area, we aim to refine our teaching strategies and further support student learning. We look forward to applying these insights in our classrooms to better assist our students in reaching their full potential.
Home Reading
As we continue to foster strong reading habits at home, we’d like to remind parents of the importance of daily reading practice. Encouraging your child to read each night not only strengthens their fluency and comprehension skills but also builds confidence and a love of learning. Please ensure you are recording your child’s reading in their reader diary, as this helps us track their progress and celebrate their achievements. Don’t forget that reaching key milestones will earn students reading certificates at our whole-school assemblies!
To further enhance and support reading at home, we have provided helpful handouts with practical tips, strategies, and insights. These resources are designed to guide parents in fostering a positive reading environment, supporting student decoding and encouraging meaningful reading discussions with your children. By utilising these handouts, you can play an active role in developing your child’s literacy skills and instilling a lifelong love of reading.
Additionally, our morning reading sessions continue to be a valuable opportunity for students to practice reading with an adult at school. Held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 9:00 am, these sessions provide extra support and encouragement for young readers. We warmly invite parents to join us during these times to listen to students read and help foster a culture of lifelong learning. Thank you for your ongoing support in making both home and school reading a daily priority.
