Learning & Teaching

 International researcher & author - Dr Lyn Sharratt at McAuley 

I hope this newsletter finds you well. I am excited to share with you the results of the school visit of Dr Lyn Sharratt last week. As Kate mentioned in the week three newsletter, Dr Sharratt is working with schools throughout the Lismore Diocese to improve literacy and learning and teaching in schools. Dr. Sharratt and several senior educators from throughout the diocese visited our classes and were able to see the work that our staff and students have done in terms of supporting the professional development focus we have at our school. This focus centres around the educational research of Lyn Sharratt and her book "Clarity: What Matters Most in Learning and Teaching." In addition, on the day, we emphasised the importance of setting high expectations for our student's growth and achievement using Lyn Sharratt’s Assessment Waterfall Chart.

Our primary goal is to ensure our students are actively engaged in their learning journey. At McAuley Catholic College, we strongly believe in creating an environment that fosters active student participation and collaboration.

In today’s newsletter, I aim to cover two essential approaches for our school's next steps in implementing the Assessment Waterfall Chart. Encouraging our students to embrace: peer assessment and group work.

Peer Assessment:

We encourage students to assess the work of their peers, as it not only develops their critical thinking skills but also enhances their understanding of the subject matter. By engaging in peer assessment, students actively analyse and provide constructive feedback on their classmates' assignments, presentations, and projects. This process benefits both the assessors and the students being assessed.

Here are a few ways our students can make the most of peer assessment:

1. Constructive Feedback: We encourage students to provide specific feedback that focuses on strengths and areas for improvement. Emphasising the importance of offering suggestions and examples helps their peers enhance their work effectively.
2. Clear Criteria: It is essential for students to have a clear understanding of the assessment criteria. We provide rubrics or guidelines that outline the expectations, enabling students to provide objective feedback based on predefined standards. This clarity ensures the effectiveness of the peer assessment process.
3. Reflection and Self-Assessment: Peer assessment allows students to reflect on their work by comparing it with their peers. Students can analyse the feedback they receive and identify areas where they can improve their learning journey.

Working in Groups:

Collaborative learning is another crucial aspect of our professional development focus. Working in groups allows students to learn from one another, build social skills, and develop a sense of responsibility toward shared goals. Through group projects and activities, students can deepen their understanding of concepts while developing communication and teamwork skills.

At McAuley College, these approaches foster a supportive learning community where students are actively engaged in their own growth and development. We encourage you to discuss these strategies with your children and support their participation in peer assessment and group work activities.

You can discover more about Lyn on her website lynsharratt.com, and various social media platforms:

Twitter: @LynSharratt,

Instagram: lyn_sharratt,

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, well-being, and exam preparation. The next Elevate webinar this term is on Wednesday, 7th June. The focus will be exclusively on Exam Preparation and how you, as parents, can help your children prepare for tests and exams.