From the Assistant Principal

Important dates for Term 2             

11 May All students in full winter uniform
12 May Europe 2016 Information Evening- 6pm-7pm
12-15 May NAPLAN
13 May Year 12 Parent/student/teacher interviews
5 June Staff Development Day (Assessment and Feedback)/ Pupil Free Day
8 June Queen’s Birthday long weekend
17 June Athletics Carnival
25 June Years 7-11 Parent/student/teacher interviews 4pm-7pm
26 June Years 7-11 Parent/student/teacher interviews 9am-4pm
26 June Term 2 concludes

 

Professional Development: What do teachers really do on pupil free days?

 

Over the next few years much of the professional development will be aligned to our Vision for Learning: Together, we grow. We aim to target and develop school wide pedagogies (ways of teaching) that support the 5 learning principles that underpin our school wide pedagogy: Bethany College is a place where we are:

 

Self-directed Learners
  • Where learning is personalised to empower students to take charge of their own learning and become lifelong learners
  • Where students take initiative and responsibility for their own learning
  • Where students are self-reflective and engage with feedback to set their learning goals, defining what their learning needs and interests are
 Engaged Learners
  • Where students participate in authentic and meaningful learning experiences
  • Where the curriculum is relevant to our students; the diversity of their needs, interests, ability levels and prefered learning styles
  • Where students natural curiosities are stimulated and they are able to articulate their own learning interests and learning needs
  • Where technology is used discerningly in a manner best suited to the educational setting
 Critical Learners
  • Where the relevance of our curriculum is justified through real world, authentic learning experiences Where students are encouraged to engage with their world in a critical and constructive way
  • Where critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and communication are promoted and valued
 Creative Learners
  • Where students build their capacity to experiment, invent, innovate and find solutions to real-world problems
  • Where students have the opportunity to explore a variety of perspectives, challenge their own assumptions and create alternative solutions to problems and issues
  • Where students are encouraged develop independence of mind, and the capacity to think for themselves in a respecting and trusting environment
Collaborative Learners
  • Where learning is social, allowing students to explore the ideas of others in order to deepen their own understanding and promote critical thinking
  • Where there is a focus on student-centered learning and the development of lifelong learning skills like discussing and negotiating, higher-order thinking, problem solving and communication
  • Where professional relationships among staff and students fosters an environment where students are free to take risks and negotiate their own learning


Last Friday was designed around maximising engagement in the classroom through structured collaboration. The teachers were guided through various strategies devised by Kagan that research has shown enhances student learning outcomes. Later this term staff will focus on assessment and feedback strategies to support our school wide pedagogy.

 

Uniform

A reminder that all students should be in full winter College uniform and sport uniform. Please refer to the College diary for any clarification. The College blazer (Yrs. 7,10,11,12) or College cardigan (Yrs. 8,9) must be worn as the outer garment to and from school.  Long socks or navy stockings only (cannot wear short socks) and full tracksuit pants must be worn for the sport uniform.

 

Jacinta Russo

Assistant Principal