Special Publication

teaching and learning

Teaching and Learning

Good Shepherd is cementing it's innovative pedagogy based on our Learning Principles, Vision and Values. With clear and strong alignment to our vision and values there is a clear focus for future focused growth.

 

The introduction of the student directed inquiry learning and eventual development of the Aquaponics site has led to creative ways to learn through hands-on, meaningful and rich opportunities. The potential to connect with our community and learning across all curriculum areas is exciting. Sustainability and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are key areas of learning which underpin the project going forward. Our stage 4 students engaged in not only Aquaponics, but service learning groups which included the Aquaponics Integrated farming business. This project has caught the attention of the wider independent schools education system as we champion 'student agency' (learner voice and choice).

We continue to embed a 'culture of thinking' across our school community.  The foundation of essential skills such as: critical and creative thinking, personal and social capabilities, empathy, ethical and moral capabilities, communication, collaboration, grit and resilience, leadership and entrepreneurial-ism are  essential skills we need to teach. When students have these fundamental skills, and are confident, creative, critical thinking, hard working collaborators, the 'other stuff' comes much easier. Innovation in practice and the use of agile spaces is also central to our pedagogical approach at Good Shepherd. 

 

Through the COVID 19 pandemic and Government mandatory lockdown in SA, our teaching and learning focus was on developing and providing learning opportunities for online and remote access. Our teaching teams drew on resilience, grit, communication and collaboration to work together to provide learning grids that covered a week of learning. Communication protocols were developed amongst teams; teachers to families.  While the lockdown was shorter than expected, we were operating under a  hybrid model for many weeks; some students learning from home/others from school.

COVID 19 didn't stop us from from finding creative and safe ways to share our student learning with the community. As agents of learning, we believe students can articulate and give meaning to the connections they have made when they design ways to share and express this. Various learning expos/open classrooms continued to be available to parents/family members of students. In a year when we looked for every opportunity to build connection and community, these events were well received and vital in maintaining feedback and communication.

 

At Good Shepherd we seek to add value to the educational experiences of our students and the experience of the wider school community. Value is added by extending upon statutory curriculum requirements imposed on schools, by our ethos, culture and environment, and through the experiences provided by the school. Through our stage structure, innovative learning opportunities are delivered.

 

In 2020 this included:

Curriculum Related Activities:

  • Learning Support Programs for students. This included accessing individual support for students with special needs along with access to a number of other programs. Some of these include Reading Recovery, Multi-lit, Sound Ways, and Rainbow Reading. With two new Learning Support Coordinators beginning, a review of past programs was undertaken and a new direction set in place.
  • Programs for Gifted students. Students identified with special needs in this area are generally supported with extension and challenging activities in their classes. Differentiated learning has been a focus with significant support in professional learning and resources offered for teaching staff. Other activities offered to these learners, included Connected Schools Enrichment Days. In 2020 we were planning to provide some new opportunities and COVID 19 impeded this. Our Enrichment opportunity across the Connected Schools was in the area of Virtual Reality (VR).
  • Clubs - Chess, STEM Club, Explorers - a program that explores big concepts and looks at them through a biblical perspective.
  • Wellbeing Support LSO staff member.
  • Literacy Pro - Lexiles (reading for comprehension program).
  • Scholastic Book Club.
  • Premier’s Reading Challenge.
  • Book Week which included specialized literature activities and a dress up parade. Learning focus across all year levels and various Buddy time and in stage team activities.
  • Various visiting speakers.
  • School Entry Assessments (Reception and Year One) assessing  basic literacy and numeracy understanding.
  • Year 1 Phonics check testing program introduced in SA government schools. This data picks up students at risk in phonemic understanding.
  • ACER PAT Maths and PAT Spelling test. This test is used in term 4 every year to inform teaching and learning for the beginning of the following year.
  • Stage 4 Wellbeing and Engagement student survey.

The approach focuses on assessing and monitoring student growth over time and is underpinned by an understanding that students of the same age and in the same year of school can be at very different points in their learning and development.

ACER’s approach is informed by a growth mindset – tailoring teaching to the needs of the individual learner to advance the progress of every student, regardless of their starting point.

  • Writing/Mathematics/Inquiry moderation within year levels as developed through the AISSA Cross-Schools Moderation Project (2017).
  • Swimming Program at State Swim (Foundation to year 2 students).
  • Swimming Program for year 3 and 4 students.
  • Tri Skills program.
  • Ace Tennis program.
  • AFL football clinics.
  • Stage 4 girls AFL clinic
  • Year 10 students from Endeavour College coach our students in various skills associated with sports.
  • Endeavour College year 11 students working with our year 4 students in a visual arts program.
  • Senior School Musical Showcase.
  • Providing a regulated and planned weekly timetable for daily playtimes of ‘Creative Play’ based activities in the yard.

Excursions/Camps/Incursions:

During 2020 our opportunity to leave the school and have incursions was greatly reduced due to DOVIOD 19 and the restrictions around these gatherings. Students did attend some excursions, school camps and .

  • Stage 4 Camp Experience – passion project: We continued the Stage 4 Camp, presenting students with a ‘Personalised Experience’ that tapped into the children’s areas of interest as shared through conversation and survey data. Students nominated their 3 day experience from the following: Fishing trip; Adrenaline Adventures; My Kitchen Rules cooking; So You Think You Can Play sport; Zoos and Walk; Farm life; Artist’s Retreat; Candle and Soap making, Circus and Good Sports. Their final experience was refined to a one day experience due to COVID 19 restrictions.
  • Stage 3 camp cancelled due to COVID 19
  • Stage 2 no camp-in due to COVID 19
  • Stage 1 pyjama parties

Excursions included visits to:

  • Stage 1Botanic Gardens
  • Stage 2 Nature Play SA
  • Stage 2 swimming at Clovercrest
  • Stage 3Surf Life Saving at Glenelg
  • Stage 3 Lochiel Park
  • Endeavour Art Excursion (Year 4’s)
  • AFL Max (Year Sixes only) - (Provided by ACHPER)
  • Stage Four Experiences
  • Stage 4Cirkidz (Provided by ACHPER
  • Stage 4 Surf Lifesaving Day.
  • Local Parks Walks

Incursions included:

Splash Theatre (whole school)

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)

Sciworld

Move it!

Endeavour College year 9 band performed to the whole school.