Improvement Team Report
Teaching and Learning Improvement Team
The semester two learning walks will conclude this week. Teachers across the college have conducted classroom visits to chat to students and teachers about how they set and review learning goals and success criteria in a variety of classes. Staff have undertaken a reflection of practice survey, to inform the development of professional learning. Moving forward on this focus for 2023, staff have identified they would like professional learning on a range of strategies to embed in their practice around the co- construction of success criteria with students and use of these in conjunction with the 5p learning behaviour framework, to assist in setting smart goals with students, to advance their ownership of their learning. This professional learning will take place in term one during the college Professional learning team time in preparation for 2023 learning walks.
On the 12th of December we will hold our annual induction day for new staff. Where few staff will spend an immersion day in the operations of the college, its students and approaches to learning and teaching. They will meet with faculty areas to be updated on learning programs and resources so they will be able to prepare for the new role within the college.
Dates have also been finalised for the VIT registration panels of our provisionally registered teachers. These will be held on the 15th and 16th of December. This is a celebration day for them, where they present their work and evaluation of practice, to obtain full registration.
Interventions- IRP program
Students requiring intervention programs are continuing to be assessed for placement, along with staffing.
Year 7 Intervention program planning for 2023 will see two of our intervention staff visit our feeder primary schools to carry out decoding tests. This is to ensure more accurate class placement and organisation and a smoother transition for students coming into year 7.
Year 7 and 8
The Corrective Reading has been running in this last semester, and where it has been run effectively has shown good growth in reading fluency and accuracy for our students. Some student's reading fluency has improved by up to 20% in this last semester, with the level of errors made, decreasing dramatically.
We will continue to concentrate on Corrective Reading as our major focus; how much of this we do and what levels we run will be entirely dependent on our data from decoding placement tests. Once students are confident with phonics, we will then use PAT-R and NAPLAN data to determine what skills we need to work on so that students can improve their reading and comprehension ability.
Year 9 IRP
Will move away from corrective reading to a program that is more aligned with skill building in support of the Year 9 English Program in combination with Corrective Reading if it is needed.
Erin Rabot
Assistant Principal
Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Improvement Team
The Curriculum, Assessment & Reporting Improvement team have now finalised the College text book lists for 2023 these will be distributed to all students during the upcoming Headstart program starting Week 9. This year we have seen an increase in the change of text requests due to delays in updating study designs over the past 2 years. We are excited that Keysborough Secondary College families will have the opportunity to purchase second hand text books as we resume sales on Saturday 3rd December at the Acacia campus.
The new Special Provisions policy has been developed as part of the overall College Assessment Policy. This policy brings alignment across the college, strengthening the identification of students that meet VCAA guidelines for special provisions when completing examinations and school-based assessments. The next focus will be on building teacher and school leader’s capacity in identifying students and developing modified assessments.
As we approach the end of the year the college is in the process of conducting the end of year VCE examinations and the College semester 2 examinations for Years 7-9 and Years 10-11 students. These examinations provide feedback to students, parents/guardians and teachers on student progress and level of achievement. Scheduled exam times can be seen on your child’s Compass timetable.
Semester 2 examination dates:
- Senior school exams (Years 10 – 11): 17th Nov - 24th Nov
- Junior school exams (Years 7 - 9): 18th Nov - 24th Nov
Families are encouraged to ensure their child is able to participate, by avoiding extended absences during this time.
Melissa Williams
Banksia Assistant Principal Junior School
Student Engagement and Wellbeing Improvement Team
The Student Engagement and Wellbeing Improvement Team have been reviewing relevant key focus areas from the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) Implementation Guide.
We have continued to prioritise health and wellbeing practices by;
- identifying and building the skills and knowledge that staff need to promote health and wellbeing
- identifying and building the skills and knowledge that students need to adopt healthy lifestyles and make healthy choices
- developing structures and processes that support healthy choices and practices within the school
- meaningfully involving students in promoting positive health and wellbeing.
- reviewing school policies and ensuring these are comprehensive and up-to-date.
We have finalised the 2023 organisation for every student in Junior School to have a diary and resilience journal and will continue to ensure all Junior school students participate in The Resilience Project curriculum through their Making Connections classes.
In addition we are exploring extending the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum material across Senior School to further develop students’ social, emotional and positive relationships skills. Respectful Relationships curriculum covers Emotional Literacy, Personal Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem Solving, Stress Management, Help Seeking, Gender and Identity and Positive Gender Relationships. Respectful Relationships curriculum, resources and activities may be more appropriate and meaningful for Senior School students as a focus, however the team will be reviewing this.
The Student Engagement & Wellbeing Improvement Team have been discussing data from the Student, Parent and Staff opinion surveys. We recommended that to ensure sustainable practices in maintaining a predictable and orderly learning environment in 2023, we should focus on reviewing and updating existing structures related to student positive behaviour practices.
Robyn Hughes
Acacia Assistant Principal Senior School