From Tim: Week 3 Term 1 Update...

It has been really good to hear the positive feedback from both parents and teachers around our start of year process. The whole point over the last two weeks has been to to give both you (as the parent/s) and your teacher the opportunity to develop that connection  around your child that is so important to continued learning success. You and your child are at the heart of what we do. If we don't develop that key understanding of your child and the relationship with you then we won't have your trust in how we are working to provoke, deepen and connect learning in our school.

Below is an example from one of the middle school presentations that gives some example of how we as a school are starting to challenge some of our practices and beliefs around how we do this thing we call school!

One of the challenges of our job is to help our children develop that 'learning grit' that is necessary for success in life - no matter what vocation our children follow! The following illustration is a great example for each of our children need learning set at that 'plus one' of where they're at. If it's too easy to be successful then they'll never learn how to develop those essential skills for keeping on going when the going gets tough!

A key part of the start of year process in the big picture of our schools continued development is to reflect on the 2015 annual plan and its associated action plans, review what we achieved and set where we want to go for 2016 and beyond. 

The strategic aims for 2016 planning are:

1. To embed and strengthen enriching curriculum practice to develop a culture of active learners.
2. All students will be given the opportunity to continually develop key concepts and skills  in Literacy and Mathematics through quality teaching and learning programmes.
   
3. Continue to strengthen our cultural connections and environmental appreciation and understanding throughout our teaching and learning programmes.
   
4. To provide quality, future focussed facilities and professional learning opportunities to enhance teaching and learning and provides a safe, secure and innovative learning environment.
   

The key initiatives that are detailed from them in specific actions are focussed around:

• Strengthening our culture with our revised vision, team and community connections.
• Beginning the journey of collaborative teaching understanding and practice.
• Developing equitable access and support staff wide practice of using e learning tools within our learning programmes.
• Further developing our school wide curriculum and assessment framework to better support the authentic integration of the enriching (Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Health &Physical Education) with Foundation (English, Maths) curriculum areas appropriately across the different levels of our school with the Key Competencies as the starting point.
• Investigate the difference between 'teacher practice' and 'professional practice’.

They are aspirational initiatives and will require effort and input from all of us. They give us the opportunity to build on the strengths of our school and to be challenged to take our individual practices and beliefs around teaching and learning as a community to the next level together.

Keep an eye out for a news update next week on how these initiatives are taking shape.