Teaching and Learning Report – December 6, 2017

As we enter the final teaching days for 2017, it is appropriate to reflect on the significant work that has been done in the key area of teaching and learning at St Patrick’s this year.

Our current Strategic Plan challenges all at St Patrick’s who have the shared responsibility for curriculum develop to remain focussed on meeting the diverse learning needs of our boys and the furthering of pathways to support their various learning goals.

In response to the Strategic Plan, the following Strategic Intentions were developed:

• To ensure the College engages and challenges students and staff to assume collaborative responsibility for learning through a whole school learning and teaching vision which promotes excellence.

• Continue to review and develop student classroom programs, pathways and certification which recognises and responds to the diverse learning needs of students.

• Facilitate a program of staff professional development in the contemporary understanding of learning and teaching pedagogy.

• Evaluate and identify students’ learning strengths and challenges to inform teaching and to provide rigours and meaningful learning.

Much progress has been made this year in exploring, developing and enacting programs and other teaching and learning initiatives in response to these Strategic Intentions including:

• The introduction of several new Senior School subject offerings -“ Year 10 Environmental Science, Year 10 Psychology, Year 12 non-VCE Liturgical Music and access to the Destination Fed Uni – Higher Education Studies in Schools program.

• Trialing of a range of third-party eResource providers including Edrolo and Education Perfect – to support teaching and exam preparation in selected VCE Units 3/4; Stile – interactive science lessons based on the latest science news; and Hot Maths — an interactive online mathematics learning, teaching and assessment resource for students and teachers, for individuals or whole classes, for school and at home.

• The introduction of an applied learning program to specifically meet the needs of the boys of St Patrick’s College, culminating in the first group of students successfully completing studies in all three VCAL levels -“ Foundation, Intermediate and Senior.

• The continued work of external facilitators Ms Wendy Graham and Mr John Marks to support and develop the leadership skills of each Head of Faculty and other members of the Curriculum Committee.

• Full implementation of the CECV Revised Student Reporting Guidelines (with a focus on furthering student and parent feedback for completed assessment tasks).

• In Year 9:

  • Linguistics was re-introduced into a modified Literacy program (with a focus on continuing and furthering literacy skills and knowledge through explicit teaching/intervention for identified students).-

  • Reviewed and adapted the alternative Literacy Extension offerings to reinforce the focus on literacy skill development within the context of particular subjects and/or disciplines.

• The successful completion of a detailed review of the current Middle School program, culminating is a number of significant changes to the Year 9 program for 2018 including:

• Establishing a shared vision and focus for the Middle School program

• Alignment the Year 9 timetable with the Senior School timetable (which will result in a number of Senior School teachers teaching in the Middle School)

• Pathways-based model for English and Mathematics (which will link directly to the Year 10 pathways-based timetable and then onto the senior years offerings)

• The introduction of a timetabled Community Service program (which will be complemented by the Rite Journey program).

• eLearning Plan Review – Student, teacher and parent surveys completed. Data is currently being collated and reviewed with a view to producing an executive summary early in 2018.

The purpose of each of the above is clear -“ to further the teaching and learning culture of St Patrick’s College in order to maximise the learning outcomes of each boy. Whilst 2017 has seen as number of valuable initiatives activated or developed for implementation in 2018, all at St Patrick’s recognise the need to continue the process of curriculum review and development if we are to build and enhance what has been achieved to-date.

2018 Booklists and iPad Resources Lists

All 2018 booklists have now been distributed, with current Years 7 and 8 boys also receiving the 2018 iPad Resources List specific to their year level. All incoming 2018 Year 7 families, along with all other families new to St Patrick’s next year, have been mailed a copy of the relevant 2018 booklist and the 2018 iPad Resources List (as required).- A PDF version of each list has been emailed to parents and also been placed on the College website – https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/students-parents-staff/curriculum/booklists/

Use of Parent Access Module (PAM) to access end Semester Two reports

St Patrick’s uses the Parent Access Module (PAM) to provide parents and guardians online access to a range of information specific to their son(s). The Student Assessment area allows you to view and download your son’s mid-semester and end of semester reports for both the current and previous years.

The 2017 Semester 2, End of Semester Statement of Attainment, Pastoral Care, Instrumental Music and Boarding reports for all students will be available from 4:00pm on Friday, December 15.

A PAM Parent User Guide has been written to assist you with the log-in process and to explain the key features of PAM. It can be accessed by clicking on the link on the College’s homepage (https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/).

PAM can be accessed by either clicking on the link on the College’s homepage (https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/) or by going directly to the PAM site (http://pam.stpats.vic.edu.au).

The PAM username and password previously issued to parents can be used again for the end Semester Two reports. Please email the College (adminsupport@stpats.vic.edu.au) or phone 5331 1688 should you require further assistance with your log-in.