Ms Lynsey Porter, Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning
Welcome Back
In our recent Welcome Back assembly, we took a moment to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2023 HSC cohort. We will be commemorating their success in the upcoming High Achievers’ assembly next week. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and habits they cultivated during their time with us.
Success is not accidental; it is a result of intentional habits and a commitment to seizing opportunities. I emphasised that these accomplishments are not isolated events but part of a continuum that we aim to build upon and improve in our school community. It is the daily habits, the resilience to learn from challenges and failures, and the positive mindset that contribute to sustained success.
As we embark on the new academic year, I encourage students to reflect on the habits that will pave the way for personal success when they are setting their SMART goals with their Wellbeing mentors over the next few weeks. This is an excellent opportunity to consider what habits will help achieve the desired outcomes. Whether it’s staying organised, building a consistent study plan, summarising key lessons, or preparing for upcoming assessments – each habit contributes to overall success.
In the spirit of fostering a positive learning environment, we want to highlight the importance of classroom routines. Our lesson protocols, prominently displayed on interactive boards, ensure that every student has the best opportunity to learn and grow. Starting with strong and organised lesson beginnings, maintaining focus throughout, and ending with a review of learning in the classroom and planning study for upcoming tasks – these routines set the stage for an enriching academic experience.
I want to emphasise the significance of collaboration and proactive communication. Our teachers are here to support you. The message to students was clear: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need help.” Being proactive and seeking guidance when needed is a key aspect of the learning journey.
In closing, I want to express my immense pride in the achievements of our students and extend heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teaching staff for their unwavering support. Let’s continue to inspire, educate, and move forward together towards a future filled with endless possibilities.
Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead.
Staff Professional Development Days
At the heart of our commitment to excellence lies the recognition of the importance of ongoing, high-quality professional learning for our staff. The sessions conducted last week were carefully designed to address various aspects crucial to the growth and development of our school community and to equip our teachers with the knowledge and tools necessary for shaping our school improvement plans in 2024. Below is an overview of these days.
Reviewing 2023 HSC Results and Post-School Achievements:
Our journey towards improvement began with a detailed review of the 2023 HSC results and the post-school achievements of our graduates. We commenced our analysis of these outcomes where we aim to identify areas of success and areas that may require further attention. This reflective process is integral to understanding how we can continuously enhance the learning experience for our students.
Child Safeguarding:
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students is a top priority. The professional learning days included comprehensive sessions on child safeguarding, providing our staff with the latest information and tools to create a secure and nurturing environment for all students.
Effective Use of Data to Understand Student Learning Needs:
To tailor our teaching methods to the individual needs of our students, staff engaged in workshops on using data effectively. This empowers our educators to gain insights into the unique learning requirements of each student, enabling a more personalised and effective educational experience.
Curriculum Reform Preparation and Annual Goal Review:
With the impending Curriculum Reform, our faculties dedicated time to prepare for the upcoming changes. Additionally, we reviewed our annual goals from 2023 and collaboratively set action plans for the year ahead. This strategic planning ensures that we remain aligned with our overarching mission and objectives. Parents and carers can find further information about the curriculum reform by clicking the button below.
Click to view curriculum reform information
Deep Learning Framework:
We also continued our work on Deep Learning – a framework that supports teachers in providing tools to design engaging and effective opportunities that reimagine learning as, ‘the process of acquiring… six Global Competencies: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical thinking.’ [ref: Dive Into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement (Quinn et al., 2019)]. Embedding these competencies into our teaching and learning programs aligns with the vision of the NSW Government curriculum reform to, ‘ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.’ [NESA website].
As we move forward into 2024, these professional learning days have fortified our commitment to excellence and provided our educators with the tools to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. We look forward to sharing the fruits of these endeavours with you throughout the academic year.
Quinn, J. McEachen, J.J. Fullan, M. Gardner, M. Drummy, M. (2019). Dive Into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement. (1st ed.). SAGE Publications.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
