Focus on Learning

Learning Walks and Talks at St Ed's

Learning Walks and Talks have become a regular part of the work of our leadership team at St Edward's and across the Diocese. These 5-7 minute visits to classrooms provide opportunities to observe evidence of the effectiveness of the professional learning that leadership teams have been working on with teachers. Learning Walks are never evaluative or judgemental; they are a tool to support instructional leaders as they work with teachers to improve faith and learning outcomes for our students.

During our Learning Walks, we observe the students in their learning environments with a particular focus this semester on the professional development we have been doing centred around the English Block. We ask students the following 'Five Learning Questions' whilst in the classroom:

What are you learning? 

Student's responses to this question should reflect the deconstructed 'Learning Intentions' from the classroom.

How are you going? 

We listen for evidence of the students' understanding of how to be successful. Success is linked to the visible co-constructed 'Success Criteria'.

How do you know?

There should be a direct correlation between the descriptive feedback that the student has been given and the 'Success Criteria' outlined within the classroom.

How can you improve? 

We want students to be able to articulate what they need to do next. Using the visible 'Success Criteria' students are able to reference where they are currently with relation to their learning and what they need to do next in order to improve.

Where do you go for help? 

Students are given the opportunity to understand how to be a resilient learner and where to go and find the support they need. It is important that students start to develop strategies for support beyond the teacher.

A letter of response from Windsor Castle

We received some special news today from one of our Year 3 students, Madison Thomas, who had brought to school a very special letter straight from Windsor Castle to share with her classmates. Earlier this year, Madi wrote a letter to the Queen thanking her for the wonderful job she is doing as a leader. She wrote the letter all by herself stating that she is 'the best Queen in the world'. Well done Madi!

Yesterday Madi received a letter of response thanking her for the letter that she wrote and the kind words of support that she shared.

This certainly was a wonderful experience for Madi and something that we are sure she will treasure forever.

NAIDOC Week 2020

National NAIDOC Week 2020 celebrations will be held from the 8-15 November.

The November dates follow the decision by the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) to postpone NAIDOC Week from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the escalating Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across our communities and cities. 

The postponement was aimed at protecting our elders and those in our communities with chronic health issues from the disastrous impacts of COVID-19.

As cooler weather approaches the need to protect our most susceptible remains.

Further announcements regarding the National NAIDOC Awards and the reactivation of the 2020 NAIDOC Local Grants Round will be made within coming weeks.

The NNC understands that the July dates for NAIDOC may still be acknowledged by communities and organisations, however we are mindful that those celebrations and physical gatherings will still be impacted by the various State and Territory COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures.

We acknowledge the commitment and tireless work of the many State, Territory, regional and local NAIDOC Committees, organisations and individuals whose passion each year makes NAIDOC Week an outstanding success.

We thank you for your understanding and working with us during these uncertain times.

The NNC are continuing to work with our partners and key stakeholders to make NAIDOC Week 2020 a suitable and fitting celebration of #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe