Learning & Teaching News
Professional Learning
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." ~Albert Einstein
Becoming a teacher requires a love of lifelong learning . What was best practise in the 80’s when I was at teachers College, has since been researched, added to and adapted. Our knowledge and understandings of neuro science and how the brain functions is vastly improved. This week saw all teachers engage in a variety of Professional Learning opportunities designed to provide continuous improvement in practice.
A large number of staff are currently completing qualifications in Religious Education. Staff travel to Warrigal for a full day of instruction, centred on a variety of themes. The Sacraments, the History of the Church and Old and New Testament Study are a sample of the topics which staff undertake. Assessment and feedback is part of the Accreditation process which takes two years to complete. This continuous learning is an example of the love of learning which our staff demonstrate.
Masters of Clinical Teaching
Several staff from both Campus’ have also commenced studies this year in the Masters of Clinical Teaching offered by Melbourne University. Participants are learning about the use of evidence in the classroom to measure effect as well as building a shared language around learning and teacher impact.
AITSL Self Assessment Test
Each year all teaching staff undertake the AITSL self assessment test to measure growth in the teaching standards. This year the College will focus in particular on three Standards
1.2 Understand how students learn
1.5 Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across a full range of abilities
6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice.
Teaching staff will meet regularly throughout the term to plan, prepare and evaluate progress towards lead teacher in each of these standards.
In 2019, the College is once again providing valuable time and financial resources to ensure teachers at St. Peter’s College are both supported and well informed in their vocation.
John Hattie in his updated 2017 list of influences on student learning rates COLLECTIVE TEACHER EFFICACY , that is the belief of teachers that they can make a difference to student learning outcomes, as having a significant effect size of 1.51. Quality teachers are vital to quality student outcomes.
Year 12 Students off to a great start
At last week’s Academic Awards assembly, I stressed to students the need to establish a regular study routine from the start of the academic year. Just as Alex DeMineur, Australian Tennis champion, has been training since he was nine years old, students need to ensure they are building study skills and habits now in order to achieve success in the future.
It was heartening then to see so many students present and eager to participate in a range of after school study workshops at both the Cranbourne and Clyde North Campuses. Ms Slykerman and Miss Hickey's Health and Human Development workshops saw large numbers of students in attendance, all keen to learn more, push themselves further and be the best possible versions of themselves.
These afterschool classes do not teach new content, but rather revise the key knowledge and key skills taught in class time, offering multiple teachers and multiple perspectives on the content on their up coming SACs. Many other VCE teachers are also offering a range of extra afterschool tutorials in order to revise and extend our students who are striving for academic success in their VCE studies. Parents are encouraged to support their sons and daughters in attending as often as possible and if this is not possible, ensuring your child is seeking out the extra support required during recess and lunch to ensure all students feel supported during this vital year of their studies. Details and questions can be emailed directly to Teaching staff via Schoolbox.
Homework Club
A reminder of the opening times and homework club details at both the Cranbourne Campus Library and Clyde North Campus Discovery Centre for 2019.
Cranbourne Campus
Library Services & supervision: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm
Homework Club: Monday to Thursday 3.30 to 4.30pm
VCE Study Hub: Monday to Thursday 3.30 to 5.30pm
Students who attend the Library after school are encouraged to join the homework clubs and make productive use of their time while still at school with the homework club teachers. If students want to ensure they can stay in the Library until 4.30 pm from Monday to Thursday, they will need to sign up to Homework Club.
Students are also able to use the Library before school, after school, recess and lunchtime for quiet study, reading, research and completing learning tasks and assignments. Chess games are available at lunchtimes from Monday to Friday. Games, both electronic and board games (other than chess) are only permitted on Friday at lunchtime. Stay tuned for details of special lunchtime clubs including Culture Club, Book Club and Chess Club.
Clyde North Campus
Library Services & supervision: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm
Homework Club: Monday to Thursday 3.30 to 4.30pm
Students who attend the Library after school are encouraged to join the homework clubs and make productive use of their time while still at school with the homework club teachers. If students want to ensure they can stay in the Discovery Centre until 4.30 pm from Monday to Thursday, they will need to sign up to Homework Club.
Students are also able to use the Library before school, after school, recess and lunchtime for quiet study, reading, research and completing learning tasks and assignments. Games, both electronic and board games are only permitted on Friday at lunchtime. Stay tuned for details of special lunchtime clubs including Book Club and Chess Club.
Mrs Marlene Jorgensen
Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching