Learning & Teaching (AP)

Celebration of Practice 

During week 4, over 24 teachers participated in various activities aimed at professional growth and collaboration. Some of these teachers visited colleagues' classrooms, presented a demonstration classroom or had teams of staff visiting their class in the 'around the grounds' option:

  • Demonstration Classroom: Teachers observed their colleagues' lessons, which showcased effective teaching practices. This experience encouraged group debriefs, feedback sessions, and goal-setting, leading to enhanced individual teaching methods.
  • Around the Grounds: Teachers gathered valuable insights into different approaches by observing multiple classroom settings for the same year group. This collaboration reinforced our collective commitment to high standards and shared responsibilities.
  • P2P Observation: Peer-to-peer observations focusing on specific practice areas fostered a supportive atmosphere of mutual learning. The subsequent debriefing sessions and goal-setting ensured that professional development has a lasting impact.

The lessons observed demonstrated a thoughtful approach to teaching and learning across various subjects. A few that I can comment on include the following: in the Year 10 mathematics class, the gradual release of responsibility and careful pacing allowed students to build confidence and mastery. The Year 9 commerce lesson was engaging as the teacher creatively illustrated with 'blind tastings' how companies make their products unique, capturing students' interest. The Year 9 agriculture lesson encouraged critical thinking as students explored the complexities of herding sheep. Using question shells in the Year 11 class effectively supported students' cognitive load, making learning more manageable. Additionally, the group research activity in year 8 religious education and the ‘third teacher’ concept in the Year 8 science classroom highlighted how students could independently access key information and resources, fostering a sense of autonomy and resourcefulness.

The Celebration of Practice Week will happen each term to enhance the implementation of our pedagogical framework, promoting teacher collaboration and partnership. I acknowledge our Leader of Pedagogy, Mrs Bertall, and all the staff involved. This initiative has reaffirmed our commitment to continuous improvement, leading to better student learning outcomes.

NAPLAN, or the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy, evaluates students' skills in these crucial areas at a specific time. Annually, students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 take part in assessments covering writing, reading, language conventions (including spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy.

This year, McAuley will be starting the NAPLAN test window on Monday 17th March. This delay allows schools to return to normal routines, support students who are isolated to return to school and provides teachers with confidence that we are not rushed in commencing the assessments. We are confident that our school will adapt the current timeline and ensure an opportunity exists for the tests to be completed.

When they return to school, Year 9 and 7 students must have a fully charged laptop. Headphones, earphones, or earbuds must also be available for the spelling and numeracy tests. 

These tests help teachers identify their students' educational needs and plan support mechanisms. Students must understand the purpose of these assessments and approach them seriously.

To get ready for NAPLAN 2025, students and parents can utilise the public demonstration site available below:

Public Demonstration Site

In addition, Mrs McLennan emailed home to students mid-week five the following resources to familiarise students with the types of questions they might encounter:

Thank you to Mrs McLennan for all her work facilitating these external tests.

School Based Assessments impacted by the current Flood Event

Due to the school closure in Week 6 caused by the recent flood event, adjustments to assessment timelines have been made to ensure minimal disruption to student learning. Year 12 teachers have contacted their students via email to provide updates and support. For Stage 6 students with individual concerns related to the flood impact, completing the misadventure process is strongly recommended. Changes to assessment schedules for other year groups will be communicated as soon as possible. Rest assured, staff are mindful of the need to avoid overloading students with assessments while adhering to the school’s policy guidelines. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Public Speaking Competition

McAuley is thrilled to introduce a public speaking competition for students in Years 10 to 12, offering a pathway to the Regional round in Grafton and the state-wide Public Speaking Competition hosted by the Parliament of NSW. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for students to refine their public speaking skills, build confidence, and potentially represent our school at the regional and state levels, with the Grand Final held at the prestigious Legislative Council Chamber. The school competition will be held soon. Thank you to Mrs Gleeson for facilitating this opportunity.

Staff

Several teachers are returning from leave and filling full-time positions as the school expands. I would also like to welcome the new staff to McAuley. Please see the photos and information following this article.

Dianne McGowan
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching