Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care and Wellbeing

What makes us stand apart from others…

This year, as in every year, we are working with our students to understand why we have high expectations for learning, the way we interact with others and the way we present ourselves to the broader community. There has been significant research conducted both nationally and internationally on the impact on students where the expectations are high from all parties involved in learning. When school leaders and all staff hold students accountable to high expectations, it is reported that student attendance improves, academic rigour improves and students and their families' sense of belonging to the school increases. This then leads to improved positive and productive behaviours in the classroom and the playground.

With our continued focus on Living Well, Learning Well, we are building a school culture focused on high expectations where everyone is able to engage with all things O’Connor because school is a place of safety, where everyone is valued, cared for and respected and learning is central to all that we do. Our Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing are working to create teams where these three basic rules for living are the centre of all discussions. 

Whenever a teacher is talking about a student or class of students our conversations centre around these three aspects. Our students are involved in conversations regularly about these concepts as well.

We pride ourselves in the work we do as a staff in creating and setting high expectations in the classroom each and every day. Our students have been asked to continue to set high expectations for themselves as well. 

There is a strong focus for the remainder of this term on how we present ourselves to the wider community and how we can continue to show our high regard for this school. The manner in which we present ourselves each and every day is important. Wearing the correct uniform, coming to school prepared for learning, presenting ourselves as neat and tidy and meeting these expectations is important. It demonstrates a sense of pride and commitment to the college and to oneself. 

When high expectations are clearly articulated, shared across the school community we are able to create a culture where learning is the business of each and every day. Having these high expectations reflected across the school in everything from uniform and general appearance, to attendance and punctuality and being prepared for learning we are able to teach our students how to become positive and productive members of the school community. When we are working as active TEAM members we make O’Connor great, we make O’Connor stand apart from the rest. We create a living culture of learning, feeling connected and invested in this community. And we can only do this when we work in partnership together, school, home and student.

Click on the link if you are interested in looking at the Living Well, Learning Well framework for families .

Mellissa Bell

Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care & Wellbeing