OUR TEACHERS: STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

 “If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough, but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

The above quote is from Emeritus Professor, Dylan Wiliam. Professor Wiliam is a highly respected teacher and educational researcher and author who has supported schooling systems across the world improve learning outcomes for students. Our teachers at St Brigid’s are highly trained professionals who are constantly looking to provide the best learning opportunities for the students in their care - your children. 

It is with great pride that I would like to inform you of one of the professional learning initiatives taking place with our teachers this year, namely Teaching Sprints. In a nutshell Teaching Sprints involves a process of teachers working alongside other teachers to improve an area of practice. Again, it is not because they are lacking in this aspect, but that they want to get even better. Teachers engage with current evidence informed educational research and collaborative conversations around targeted areas of practice that have been chosen as a focus by the teachers themselves. Our initial Teaching Sprint focuses have been based around the use use of specific High Impact Teaching Strategies, as outlined below:

Setting goals: this strategy has many aspects to it including intentionality and clarity with the use learning intentions and success criteria for lesson sequences. It also explores the importance of student ownership of their learning, through setting and monitoring achievement of personal learning goals.

Worked examples: this strategy explores the crucial role of modelling throughout lessons. The strategy delves deeply into the different types of modelling that need to be utilised within lessons, the purposes behind these variations and the timing of effective modelling in a classroom. 

Metacognitive strategies: this strategy is essentially about supporting students ‘think about their thinking’. The strategy is allied to other High Impact Teaching strategies, such as Setting Goals. Students who develop strong metacognitive thinking tend to be more resilient and focussed with their learning and are able to monitor their own growth towards achievement of learning goals. Strong metacognitive thinking also supports problem solving efforts as students self evaluate the effectiveness of strategies they are applying to solve problems.

Teachers will be engaging with Teaching Sprints with varying focuses throughout the year.

Mark Boss - Assistant Principal

STEP INTO LEARNING BEFORE THE RACE BEGINS!

Parents will have the opportunity to visit their child's classroom for a general guided learning walk and talk before the Cross Country Carnival on Thursday 3 April 2025. Classrooms will be open from 8:40am until the carnival begins at 9:30am. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this experience together!

CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL

All students will wear their sports uniform and school hat. They may wish to wear a coloured t-shirt to represent their house colour.

Listed below is an approximate outline of the day. Please note that these times may alter depending on the speed of the competitive running events.

At the end of the event all students will return to school.

Our Diocesan team entries are due to the Catholic Education Office on Thursday afternoon and the Diocesan Carnival will be held on Tuesday 6 May 2025. Those chosen to represent St Brigid’s will be notified via Compass to allow the students the opportunity to train during the holidays if they wish to. We will also train the students at school.