Curriculum Updates

2024 has been a huge year for the development of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning across the school. Having completed our Strategic Review in Term 3, we were able to celebrate many milestones and achievements and look to the future. 

This year alone has seen many changes and achievement in the development of the Teaching and Learning structures at Ceres. As a team, we completed 100% of the activities and actions we set out to complete at the beginning of the year. 

Some of these include:

-Consistently implemented PLCs (Professional Learning Communities), with lasting and effective change from strategies implemented sustained, such as handwriting, spelling and growth mindset. Our Puzzles of Practise incorporate both HITS (High Impact Teaching Strategies) and HIWS (High Impact Wellbeing Strategies). 

-Fully embedded Maths instructional Model.

-Grade level reports at each assembly to share the wonderful work happening across the school.

-Improving the usage of Seesaw, with our protocols documented in the Assessment Schedule and consistently adhered to. 

-Specialist subjects consistently posting whole class work on Seesaw, raising the profile of their subjects and enabling parents to share in the learning. 

-TLI program has been delivered and extended to an additional tutor in Terms 3 and 4, further supporting students across the school. 

-Opportunities for students performing above expected levels to participate in the Victorian High Ability Program. 

-Opportunities for students to compete in Maths competitions such as the KSF and AMC, with students achieving High Distinctions and Credit awards. 

-Implementation of the Coaching Program for teachers to reflect and be supported in their teaching practice, observe model lessons delivered by the Learning Specialist.

-Professional Learning Fortnightly sessions for teachers, including learning on: 

• Writing / Maths Moderation to support Teacher Judgements (Termly)
• Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0
• Cued Articulation
• Peer Observation Protocols
• Curriculum Mapping
• Inquiry Learning
• Data Literacy
• Student Reporting Delivery Requirements
• Opportunities to Respond
• Safe and effective use on Artificial Intelligence

-Data dives with students and parents to delve further into the data and identify actions for potential implementation.

-Purchasing of resources, including decodable readers, classroom library texts, Sunshine Online, teacher resources, maths concrete materials.

-A deep dive into Spelling programs and resources complete, with SMART Spelling and THRASS in conjunction with the new DE Phonics Plus resources identified as best meeting the set criteria. 

-Whole Day Professional Learning for all staff, including:

• English Curriculum v2
• Maths Curriculum v2 
• Victoria's Approach to Teaching Reading

-Professional Learning for Graduates and new staff on Maths and THRASS.

New documents created to support Teaching and Learning, including:

• Maths Scope and Sequence 
• Curriculum Maps completed to ensure Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
• New English Model and Phonics Scope and Sequence in draft form, ready for 2025

-Dedicated, allocated AIP time in Semester 2 has enabled teachers to complete additional work aligned to the whole school goal and undertake peer observations - exceeding targets set (75% actual, target 65%). 

A huge year and I am very lucky to work with such dedicated, enthusiastic teachers who are always willing to try new things with their students’ best interests at the forefront. Ceres Primary School is in a great position to start 2025 off with a bang!