In 2017 the College developed a Vision for Learning for the College community, which staff across the McAuley Campus will be rolling out in Term 2, using a common approach for each subject taught in Years 7-9.
This vision applies to all learners, encouraging each to be: independent, self-motivated, confident, resilient, have high expectations and a belief they can succeed; creative and critical thinkers and learners with the ability to challenge, inquire, reflect and question; and able to understand how they learn and measure their progress.
As part of the first stage, a common approach to curriculum planning using the Understanding by Design framework was developed. Staff, under the leadership of Faculty Learning Leaders, have been developing units of work using this framework since Term 4 last year. It places an emphasis on the big ideas and questions central to each unit of work including understanding, knowledge and skills.
The second stage of implementing the Vision began in February, with staff working together to look into ways to improve the learning culture of students at the College. Three key aspects included: the introduction of learning intentions and success criteria in the McAuley Campus; the implementation of a streamlined process for monitoring and following up the completion and submission of homework and assessment learning tasks; and improved and consistent avenues of communication with families regarding the non-completion and submission of homework and assessment learning tasks.
Learning intentions are the basis for tracking student progress, providing feedback and assessing achievement. Success criteria are the measures used by both the student as learner and the teacher to determine whether and how well the learner has met the learning intentions.
Research tells us that the use of learning intentions and success criteria at the start of every lesson helps students to know what that they are going to learn, why they are going to learn it and if they have learnt it. In doing so, it assists in increasing motivation levels and students taking more responsibility for their own learning. The use of learning intentions and success criteria is not new, with many of our feeder primary schools already using these.
The completion and submission of homework and assessment task procedures
In wanting to increase the completion and submission rates of homework and assessment learning tasks, the College has streamlined the procedures associated with this to ensure: consistent student and staff expectations regarding the completion of homework and submission of assessment learning tasks; the best use of SIMON; and transparent communication with parents.
As such, a letter has been sent to all parents via the parent portal to outline these new procedures. All parents are encouraged to check this letter to ensure that they are fully informed of these changes and in doing so they are able to better assist their son or daughter with their learning.
These changes will be launched with students in homeroom next week and will come in to effect from Monday 30 April.
Parents who have any questions are asked to contact Mrs Joanna Egan (McAuley Campus Learning Advisor), Mrs Gail Preston (McAuley Campus Director), Mr Matthew Vallis (Barak Campus Learning Advisor) or Mr John Rodgers (Barak Campus Director).
A reminder to all families that the 2018 Night of Excellence will be held at the College in the Doyle Centre, on Friday 15 December, 7.30-9.00pm.
