Term 3 Week 4: From the Deputy Principal | Learning and Staff Development
Small Challenge, big improvement. How setting small ongoing goals in the classroom can help students reach larger goals
Our Vision for Learning boldly states, Newman College is a faith and learning community where we continually challenge ourselves to boldly embark on a pathway of discovery beyond the classroom to contribute to and become agents of change in the world. In an ever-changing society people need the skills, experience, knowledge and confidence to face all of life’s challenges in order to become resilient learners who are willing to take risks to achieve their goals.
To be challenged is to engage in learning with a positive open mindset, being resilient and adaptive in achieving goals; taking calculated risks and learning from experience.
As leaders, teachers and support staff, we strive to foster the element of challenge by collectively committing to:
- Developing a whole-school Wellbeing policy that develops social and emotional skills across all year levels
- A culture of excellence
- Knowing our students and how they learn
- Using growth mindset language and strategies when challenging students in context
- Teaching and learning which is student driven and data informed and appropriately challenges all students
- Teachers challenging themselves to critically evaluate and continually grow as educators through research into current theories and pedagogy
- Timely, targeted, formative feedback and feedforward that encourages growth.
Supporting students to set small ongoing goals in the classroom or activity can help them reach larger goals. Making mistakes, reflecting on feedback, planning with peers and trying different alternatives are all part of the learning process. Teachers and students coming together as co-learners is the greatest strength of our Vision for Learning; this in turn leads to achieving small goals which leads to big improvement.
NAPLAN Online 2019
Teaching staff from Years 3 – 12 were trained on the administration and delivery of the NAPLAN Online Assessment, which students will participate in next year. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will participate in a ‘test’ assessment later this term which is designed to ensure the College network, student devices and teacher administrators are familiar with the assessment. Further details will be shared by classroom teachers and Leaders of Wellbeing closer to the date. I thank Mr Peter Jones, Leader of Pedagogy and Miss Kate Warchomji, Leader of Wellbeing, for their leadership and coordination of this project.
ASIP – Wellbeing
Our teaching staff across the College joined together to focus on student wellbeing through the implementation of a Gratitude Project. As part of the College Annual School Improvement Plan, the staff will embark on an action research project that supports enhancing student resilience and the positive impact of practicing gratitude. We look forward to sharing the framework for our projects at the Newman Parents Consultative Committee meeting in Week 8, and sharing our findings with the College community in Term 4.
Newman Parents
Thank you to all the parents who supported the parent education presentation from Side Effects. The presentation was informative and engaging. If any parent needs support in managing concerns involving drugs and alcohol, I encourage you to engage with the resources available from the Government of Western Australia, Mental Health Commission, and your family GP. If there are any topics you would like explored as part of our commitment to parent education, please contact me via lisa.fogliani@newman.wa.edu.au
Code of Conduct
A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. Please click here. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers and extends to all forums including social media and email forms of communication. The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and support professional boundaries. Events held during school hours AND outside of school hours that are associated with the College are also supported by the Code. Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with any member of the Senior Leadership Team.
All families are reminded that if they have a concern about the education or wellbeing of their child, they should contact the College directly. We are always willing to support families but school matters must be managed by the College. It is not appropriate to contact other families about concerns you have about their child. Please direct these matters to the classroom teacher, Leaders of Wellbeing or any member of the Senior Leadership Team.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and support of how we strive to partner positively with one another.