Teaching & Learning

This week has been a terrific week of learning for many staff at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. GSSC have been successful in becoming part of the Microsoft Transformation Program. Across the week we have had many staff participating in the following Transformation Programs:

  • Microsoft Transformation for Leadership Teams
  • Microsoft Transformation for IT Support Staff
  • Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer Academy
  • The Inclusive Classroom

Some of the modules undertaken were designed for staff who are proficient in the use of the Microsoft Applications. Staff were upskilled into how to support others and deliver professional development. Other modules undertaken were designed for classroom teachers, education support staff, Learning support leaders and support professionals.

Staff learnt how to use MS technologies to support students with learning needs, including those with high abilities. We are looking forward to seeing the benefits of our learning in the remote and face-to-face classrooms with our students.

 

Next week we look forward to rolling out our whole-school professional learning around the GSSC Instructional Model. Genevieve Simson and the Teaching and Learning Assistant Principal Team will deliver an online professional learning session which will thoroughly unpack for staff all elements of the GSSC Instructional Model. Staff will be provided with a range of best-practice teaching strategies and supports for each of the elements. 

 

This session will be supported at our Curriculum Day on Friday 11th September, when Dr. William De’Jean will do a presentation for staff on the middle section of our GSSC Instructional Model. Specific professional learning will be provided around strategies to support teaching our student’s at their individual points of need.

 

Wanganui Campus Teaching & Learning Update

Ithas been competition time at the Wanganui campus this term, with students in Years 8 and 10 electing to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition and the Junior Science Olympiad. We are still awaiting the results of both of these competitions and look forward to sharing this information with the students.

 

While in remote learning, our Mathematics teachers have been planning collaboratively to ensure a consistent student experience across the various year levels. In year 8, the students have just completed the topic ‘Volume’, which involved a lot of visual tasks and real-world math's problems that the students could complete around the home. Our teachers have had a particular focus on encouraging students to reflect on their thinking and learning, so often students are required to submit a reflection in the form of an ‘exit ticket’ at the end of a session.

 

Our science staff are providing as much variety as they can in their online lessons, with a mix of explicit teacher instruction and the use of online learning platforms such as Stile and Edrolo. Some classes have even been lucky enough to conduct edible experiments at home, as you will see a bit later in this newsletter! But despite all the wonderful resources available online, our science teachers are very much looking forward to returning to the classrooms at school. In fact, the Biology teachers are particularly enthusiastic, as they have some exciting new equipment to utilise in their classes. With the purchase of blue gel electrophoresis kits and mini PCR machines, our senior GSSC students will be able to both measure and copy DNA!

 

Our VCE Product Design and Technology students have been working on folio documentation, as well as their design project. This has seen our Year 11 and 12 students completing practical work both at home and on-site, as they prepare for the final outcome for the year. The students are making a range of products, including an office desk, a multi-tool, a utility storage box, folding chairs and a folding table. In this photograph we can see Mitchell Bassett working on his fire pit, which is being constructed out of steel-based products.

 

 

Term 3 Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences Greater Shepparton Secondary College are pleased to be hosting online Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences in the last week of Term 3. Interviews can be scheduled for the following dates and times:

Families/carers and students are encouraged to attend the Conferences together as it is important to the GSSC community that we all work in a partnership to foster and support our students future learning goals and growth. Please find outlined below the Parent Conference Guide:

 

Guide to Booking a time for a parent/teacher/student conference

To book an interview time, first login to Compass with your parent account.

 

On your Compass homepage, at the top of the ‘My News’ section you will have an article letting you know that a new conference is available, it will have a booking link at the bottom.

 

Selecting this link will take you to the conference booking page.  If this is your first time booking, Compass will offer you a tutorial on how to book. Click the grey box to participate in the tutorial or the green box to book now. 

 

Select the teacher you wish to meet, and then click on the time you wish meet.  Available slots will highlight when the teacher is selected. Do this for each teacher you wish to talk to. 

Booking Screen
Booking Screen

 

Delete Booking
Delete Booking

 

If you wish to remove a booking, click the teacher and select ‘Delete this Booking’.

 

 

 

 

 

Update your details
Update your details

Next we need to make sure your contact details are up to date.  The Parent\Teacher conference is being held online due to remote learning. We need you to ensure your email address is correct so we can email you the link to participate. On your Compass homepage, click the cog and select ‘Update My Details’. This will allow you to update your email address and mobile phone number. 

 

After updating click the ‘Update My Details’ button, if the details are already correct, click the link below that button.

 

 

Megan Michalaidis

 

Associate Principal of Teaching & Learning