Teaching and Learning Report – February 9, 2017

Teaching and Learning in 2017

Classes for the year have started very well and the boys have returned from the break with a noticeably positive attitude to learning. 2017 will see the College continue to trial, develop and implement a range of teaching and learning initiatives including:

• Expansion of the 1:1 device program with 2016 Year 10 boys bringing their HP Spectre into their Year 11 classes.

• Expanded use of the blocking model to deliver Middle School English through the introduction of Year 9 English blocks, furthering the work done since 2015 when the same blocking structure was introduced into Year 7 English.

• 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.

• For the first time in a number of years, we will have a stand-alone VCE Units 3/4 Japanese class.
• VCE Units 1-4 Music Performance will also be making a return to the Senior School after not running for several years.
• An updated and reinvigorated Year 9 Literacy block which will include the introduction of the following workshops:

  • Film and Media
  • Computer Coding
  • Mathematical Problem Solving
  • English Literature and Language
  • Conflict and Connection.

• The return of Linguistics to the Year 9 Literacy block.
• The introduction of Health to the Year 9 program.
• The introduction of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) into the Year 8 Science program (which will see boys completing formal study of STEM within the broader Junior School Science curriculum).
• The introduction of one semester of Food into the Year 7 Technology program.

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2017 will see boys studying the following for the first time:

• Liturgical Music (as one of non-VCE Year 12 Religious Education workshop options);
• Expanded Year 10 Science offerings – Year 10 Psychology and Year 10 Environmental Studies;
• An expansion of the Year 10 Humanities offerings, with the introduction of Revolutions;
• VCAL all three levels -“ Foundation, Intermediate and Senior.

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This year will also see the College expanding is use of a range of teaching and learning support initiatives including:

• EDROLO for the following VCE Units 3/4 studies:

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • Business Management

  • Legal Studies

  • Accounting

  • Further Mathematics

  • Mathematical Methods

  • Health and Human Development

  • Physical Education

  • Studio Arts

  • Visual Communication

• EDROLO is an online learning resource that delivers curriculum focused video lessons, exam practice, and study planning tools. Parents with a son studying one or more of the VCE Units 3/4 studies listed above should note that they will receive a charge for their son to access EDROLO which will be added to their 2017 tuition statement.

• 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 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.- –

Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines

The College’s Expected Standards of Attainment in Assessment Tasks Guidelines state that the expected minimum standard of attainment for graded assessment tasks in all Victorian Curriculum, 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.

2017 PAM log-in update

All parents should have received an email last week with their updated 2017 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 2017 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