Teaching and Learning Report – February 4, 2016

February 3, 2016

Teaching and Learning in 2016

Classes for the year have started very well and the boys have returned from the break with a noticeably positive attitude to learning. 2016 will see the College continue to trial, develop and implement a range of teaching and learning initiatives including:

  • All students having access to a 1:1 device with the introduction of the HP Spectre into Year 10 and Year 12 having access to an iPad.

  • Expanded use of the blocking model to deliver Junior School English through the introduction of Year 8 English blocks, furthering the work done in 2015 when the same blocking structure was introduced into Year 7 English, to support and further the learning outcomes of boys with identified literacy needs.

  • Introduction of new subject offerings – VCE Units 3/4 Theatre Studies, VCE Units 1/2 Studio Art -“ Photography.

  • Full implementation of the Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines. These guidelines state that the expected minimum standard of attainment for graded assessment tasks in all AusVELS, Awakenings and VCE subjects at St Patrick’s College will be 50%.

  • Continued development of Learning Areas through the Parent Access Module (PAM) to further our communication with parents by providing timely and efficient subject specific program information and assessment task results.

The aim with each of these initiatives is to continue to provide a teaching and learning structure that recognises and responds to the diverse learning of students at St Patrick’s, giving all our boys every opportunity to achieve personal academic success.- –

Future developments

In response to student learning needs identified in School Improvement Framework data, and reflected in the College’s Strategic Plan, St Patrick’s has initiated and made appointments to two new important positions of leadership -“ Ms Lyn Maniz to the position of Applied Learning Co-ordinator and Mrs Clare Kavanagh to the position of Academic Extension Co-ordinator.

As Applied Learning Co-ordinator, Ms Maniz will continue the process of investigating exemplary applied learning programs in other schools and will use these as the basis for the implementation of an applied learning program to specifically meet the needs of the students of St Patrick’s College in 2017 (which will include the introduction of VCAL).

As Academic Extension Coordinator, Mrs Kavanagh will be working with teachers to assist them in developing strategies to academically extend students in their classrooms and will be active in the development of programs, or accessing of external opportunities, for students who would benefit from academic extension.

Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines

As noted previously, the Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines state that the expected minimum standard of attainment for graded assessment tasks in all AusVELS, Awakenings and VCE subjects at St Patrick’s College will be 50%.

The implementation of the Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines aims to:

— – – Promote and further a culture of high academic expectations amongst students,

— – – Reinforce and support the College’s committed to academic excellence,

— – – Further raise academic outcomes (with particular emphasis on, literacy, numeracy and VCE outcomes),

— – – Enhance student engagement and resilience,

— – – Establish clear expectations for students, parents and teachers alike regarding assessment tasks,

— – – Support the ongoing identification of students who might benefit from an individual learning plan,

— – – Inform any required discussions regarding a student’s readiness to progress to the following year level or equivalent subject,

The establishment and enforcement of expected standards of attainment for assessment tasks clearly indicates to all students, parents and teachers that the College will not accept mediocrity. These guidelines aim to reinforce in the boys’ minds that the College is committed to academic excellence and that doing the minimum will not be accepted.

The complete Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines can be accessed via the College’s website.

2016 PAM log-in update

All parents should have received an email last week with their updated 2016 PAM login details.

St Patrick’s operates the online student information system (SIMON) to provide students and parents access to a range of information to support and further the learning of each boy. The Parent Access Module (PAM) provides parents online access to a range of information specific to their son(s) including:

  • His timetable

  • Attendance records

  • Daily messages

  • The College calendar

  • Performance on assessment tasks

  • Interim and end of semester reports

  • The booking of parent/student/teacher interviews

The email included your 2016 PAM log-in details, your username and password, which you will need in order to access the above information specific to your son(s). PAM can be accessed via the College’s homepage (https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/) or by going directly to the PAM site – https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/students-parents-staff/parent-access-module/

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 also be accessed by clicking on the relevant tab in the PAM section of the College’s website – https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/students-parents-staff/parent-access-module/

Parents requiring further assistance with their PAM login are asked to phone the College on 5331 1688.

Mr Stephen Hill

Deputy Headmaster -“ Teaching and Learning