Special Publication

teaching and learning

Teaching and Learning

With a future focused and rigorous learning framework based on quality learning opportunities and growth in dispositions such as creativity, communication, agency, empathy, critical thinking, collaboration, 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 pathway for future focused growth.

 

In 2022 we introduced a new language, Auslan. Auslan is taught across all stages and year levels. Auslan replaces German as our language other than English. 

 

We continue to embed a 'culture of thinking' across our school community.   When students have these fundamental skills, and are confident, creative, critical thinking, hard working collaborators, the 'other stuff' comes much easier. 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. Innovation in practice and the use of agile spaces is also central to our pedagogical approach at Good Shepherd. 

 

The regulations around COVID meant parents had very limited access to the school site. Communication with the parent body has been vital in developing relationships in 2022.

  • Parent Partnership Night - a school based approach to invite parents in for a social time to interact with one another and hear from the Stage/individual teachers about the learning in each stage.
  • Learning Conversations - teacher/parents meet at the end of term 1 to share the progress of children's learning and set goals for the next term.

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.

 

COVID played a role again limiting some opportunities/interactions. 

 

In 2022 this included:

Curriculum Related Activities:

  • Learning Support Programs for students: an active and committed team saw the exciting development and growth of the Learning Support Team. 
  • 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. 
  • The University of NSW ICAS Competitions (Mathematics, Writing, Science, Technologies) were offered.
  • Clubs - Chess (student led and run), Coding (SP students, staff led), Chalk Drawing (student led), Dance (student led), Soccer (student led), Board Games (student led), Maths (student led)
  • Wellbeing Support LSO staff member.
  • Literacy Pro - Lexiles (reading for comprehension program).
  • Decodable readers and program for our stage 1 students and other students struggling with reading.
  • Scholastic Book Club.
  • Premier’s Reading Challenge.
  • Maths Week which included activities based on real world maths problems. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Year 10 students from Endeavour College coach our students in various skills associated with sports.
  • Senior School Musical Showcase - "Aladdin Jnr." 
  • Providing a regulated and planned weekly timetable for daily playtimes of ‘Creative Play’ based activities in the yard.
  • Selected students in various SAPSASA and SAPSA sporting competitions.  
  • Mothers and Father's Day Stalls coordinated by parent volunteers

Excursions/Camps/Incursions:

During 2021 our opportunity to leave the school and have incursions was reduced due to COVID 19 and the restrictions around these gatherings. Students did attend some excursions, school camps and participated in some school incursions.

  • Stage 1 Tea & Teddies (tea at school in PJ's with activities to follow then home) 
  • Stage 2 Year 1 excursion, tea at school
  • Stage 2 Year 2 excursion & Camp-in overnight (school)
  • Stage 3 Camp (El Shaddai, Wellington)
  • 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. 

Excursions included visits to:

  • Stage 1 Bike Safety (scheduled but cancelled due to poor weather)
  • Stage 1 neighborhood walks in local area for 'I am here' inquiry unit
  • Stage 2 Belair National Park - Nature Play SA
  • Stage 2 - CBD Tour - Himeji Gardens, Possum Park, Victoria Park, Adelaide Botanic Gardens
  • Stage 3 Gorge Wildlife Park
  • Stage 3 Marine Discovery Centre
  • Connected Schools Worship at Endeavour College (year 4-6) 
  • Endeavour Art Excursion (Year 4’s)
  • Stage Four 'It's not a camp...its a personalized Experience'. These included: Fishing trip (Understanding, valuing and enjoying safe, responsible recreational fishing in South Australia), Our Kitchen Rules (a variety of cooking experiences and foods), Outdoor Adventurers (adrenalin and outdoor activities), Walking Softly (connecting to First Nations culture and country, time by the beach, living sustainably), Amazing Animals (experience animals in different environments), All Things Technology (problem solving coding and manipulating technology through various workshops), World of Dance (explore dance), Voyage into Nature (bushwalking, Linear park, bike riding in the city), The Wonderful World of Sport ( trips to try various sports in the community), Lights Camera Action! (movie making, editing etc.), Photography The Perfect Picture (learning more about photography with an expert, on excursions into the community), Treat Yourself (relax and unwind, high tea, quiet time, excursions, fun together etc.)
  • Stage 4 Year 6 Fun Day @ The Beach House, Glenelg

 

 

Incursions included:

  • Brainstorm Productions (wellbeing focus for students across the school)
  • Tennis and basketball coaching clinics
  • Growth and development sessions provided by KidzBiz (year 5,6)
  • Indigenous artist and speaker in residence (stage 4) 
  • Stage 1 100th Day of School celebration/maths activities/dress up
  • Stage 3 SA Police
  • Stage 3 Michael Brown MP

SPORT OPPORTUNITIES

The following occurred in 2022.

Note there was no: ACE tennis, Endeavour College student coaching, SACSA football, soccer or SAPSASA swimming in 2022 due to COVID.

 

Sporting Clinics:

  • Tri-skills (stages 1&2)
  • AFL (stages 3&4)

After School Sporting Teams:

  • Basketball (1 x yr 1/2, 2 x yr 2/3, 2 x yr 4/5, 2 x yr 5/6)
  • Netball (1 x 9-unders, 1 x 11-unders)
  • Cricket (1 x 2/3, 1 x 4/5/6)

SAPSASA District:

Students chosen to represent district in netball, cricket, soccer, AFL, AFLW.

 

Athletics:

  • Sports Day
  • Connected Schools Athletics 
  • After-school athletics Club