Learning & Teaching News

Learning Behaviour Reports

With the term buzzing away, students are excited to be 8 weeks into an uninterrupted learning and teaching program. Assessments are in full swing and students are being challenged in their understanding of the key concepts taught across a range of learning areas, in order to understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. This makes it timely for staff to report on students learning behaviours, inline with the College R.O.C.K.S, to allow parents to have a broad understanding of how well your son or daughter:

Listens to the thoughts and opinions of others
Arrives to class on time with required equipment
Meets all deadlines and due dates
Collaborates and communicates positively when working in groups
Allows everyone to learn
Follows staff instructions

Staff base the decisions of these reports on each student individually, but also how students interact with one another in the classroom environment over the course of Head Start (in 2021) and Term 1 2022. As parents you should be aware of the information contained within these reports prior to reading them and be ready to celebrate success and identify opportunities for improvement. This is the conversation starter that will be published to the community on Thursday, 31 March 2022, allowing you to open the dialogue with your child/ren to have a closer insight into their learning journey and ensure they are maximising their time at St. Peter’s College in order to grow as young independent learners. If there is something that is reported on that is of concern to you, or you would like to hear more about the successes of your child/ren, please ensure you book in a time at our upcoming Student Learning Conferences.

Student Learning Conferences

It is to be announced with much excitement, that our Student Learning Conferences will be held in Term 2 using a blended mode of delivery:

Thursday, 28 April 2022 - 2.30pm-8.30pm On Campus

Monday, 2 May 2022 - 4pm-6pm On Zoom

We will have the opportunity to welcome parents and students back on campus for our all important learning conferences which will allow the conversation to continue from the Learning Behaviour Reports. Within this student driven timeslot, 10 minutes will be available to unpack the learning and teaching that has been occurring, where the student is at within their learning journey and an outline to the pathway of success for students to continue to work towards their learning goals. Our booking system will be open from 9am on Friday, 1 April 2022 to all community members, providing ample opportunity for interviews to be secured.

Within the online environment, teachers will Zoom students and parents/guardians directly using the student’s Zoom account, however, the parent/guardian must be present and actively involved to ensure child safe standards are adhered to. This method of delivery was met with much success from our community in 2021 and works well around family time commitments to ensure the importance of these conversations remains. If you feel more time is required on top of the 10 minutes or are unable to make the dates above, please don’t hesitate to email the subject teacher through SPACE to ensure you have all the information you need to continue to support your children in their learning journey.

Tutoring Program 2022

In 2022, we have once again received funding from the Victorian Department of Education to implement a Tutoring Program at St. Peter’s College in literacy and numeracy. Students have been selected for the program based on a combination of PAT data, NAPLAN data and teacher judgment to support students who are in need throughout 2022.

In literacy tutoring, students will be withdrawn from classes for three hours per cycle to work with one of our newly appointed literacy specialists. A targeted intervention has been developed for each of the literacy groups aiming to improve their level of ability, ensuring the group sizes are small (between 4-6 students) and fit within the current English curriculum as outlined by the Understanding by Design (UbD) documentation. This is a slightly different approach than what has been taken with the numeracy tutoring, which will occur within all Year 7 and 8 Mathematics classes by our newly employed numeracy specialists. Students will be targeted based on data and teacher judgment to receive support through Math Pathways and the adaptation of mini-lessons to provide tailored support.

By undertaking this new approach in 2022, we hope to see an increased rate of growth, tailored support and explicit teaching of key concepts. Through targeting areas that are underdeveloped in the areas of literacy and numeracy, we are hoping to see the benefits to improved student learning outcomes across all key learning areas, opening the door to future success for students involved. We wish to take the opportunity to thank our Tutors in advance for their work they have commenced, and continue to do, across the academic year in shaping our new program.

Learning is a marathon, not a sprint

Students have begun the year at a good pace, they have set themselves achievable goals and are working towards them with confidence and enthusiasm. However, as the supporters on the sidelines and their learning coaches, we need to remind them that their learning journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Finding the motivation that continues to carry students through the year, that matters long-term and that means that they sustain the habit of learning, consistently, week by week, year by year will ensure the marathon continues and students do not run out of steam. As parents, supporters and coaches of your children, the marathon is able to be sustained by using the following strategies:

Implement a study timetable (see Student Record Book for template)
Help your child with homework and/or revision each evening (chip away at this little by little)
Balanced diet and adequate sleep
Creating a welcoming study environment
Talk to your child/ren about what they did at school
Support your child in modeling behaviour (read next to them while they read)
Encourage attendance at Homework Club Monday to Thursday
Encourage attendance at Mathematics Help
Remove phones during time of study

Students need to remember if we try to go too fast, we will run out of gas. An uphill run may require a lot from us, but even with this immediate challenge, we have to keep some energy, patience, and passion in reserve for the next leg of the race to come. If you feel you need further support in this marathon, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s Learning Advisor via SPACE or make a time at the upcoming Student Learning Conferences.

Graduate Teachers and Mentors Conference

It is good for our students and parents to know that what makes our teachers good at what they do is that they have a lifelong love of learning and are constantly learning themselves. They know what it is to be a student.

Last week, we had our second Graduate Teachers and Mentors Training Day. All graduate teachers must do an Action Research Project in which they investigate a particular area of their practice to try to improve students learning outcomes. They are appointed an experienced teacher as a mentor to guide them through this process. At the conclusion of the year, these graduate teachers then move to full registration.

We have been fortunate to have seven dynamic and talented new teachers join our St. Peter’s College Community. They bring an energy and contemporary teaching ideas which enriches our staff and for this we are grateful. Enjoy the photos of our teaching being collaborative learners below.

Sarah Turner David Hansen

Learning and Teaching Pedagogical Coach Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching

Clyde North