Annual School Report 2012 - marian college

Marian College Annual Report 2012
Professional
Engagement
The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young
Australians sets the ambitious goal of young Australians
becoming successful learners, confident and creative individuals
and active and informed citizens. In order to achieve this,
research has emphasised the importance of effective professional
learning in order to improve student outcomes. Professional
Learning at Marian College has been characterised by relevant
team projects, collaboration promoted by active involvement in the design, practice and the evaluation of
the learning to improve the effectiveness of teacher pedagogy. The Professional Action Learning Teams
(PALTs) have been an example of this type of learning at the College.
In 2012 we continued our work with the PALTs. These teams are established to provide a framework
for teachers to work on targeted projects to improve the teaching and learning outcomes for all students
and continue the professional dialogue between staff about pedagogy. Our teams were supported in their
actions by their respective Curriculum Leaders and the framework established the opportunity for all staff
to take part in team teaching and or classroom observations. Staff used data, which included student and
teacher surveys, sample student work and the opportunity for peer feedback to evaluate the units being
delivered and work towards improved pedagogical practices.
We began 2012 with our curriculum day focussing on the National Curriculum and in particular Education
for Sustainability, focussing on four areas: water, waste, biodiversity and energy. Term Two saw the focus
shift to professional learning in support of our students in the portfolio process. This meant that all staff
undertook sessions in any combination of the following: PowerPoint Kiosk, Movie Maker and Blogging.
These sessions supported both staff and students effectively throughout the year. Team planning within
Domain areas has also be the main focus of our professional learning days and as always priority was
given to specific OHS training undertaken by appropriate staff, namely the anaphylaxis briefing, Warden
Session, First Aid and CPR Updates.
Over the year we had fifteen staff who took part in the appraisal process. This framework provided teaching
staff with an opportunity to evaluate their performance in the classroom by using data to identify areas
of strength and areas for further improvement and consolidation. This appraisal system provided school
leadership with the opportunity to affirm and acknowledge good practice and to work collaboratively with
individuals to develop their Professional Learning Plans.
Term three saw staff involved in the Annual Seminar Day which was held at Ascot House Receptions.
Teaching staff took part in a day focussing on differentiating the curriculum and were given the ‘tools’
necessary to work on a series of lessons or tasks to bring back to their classrooms. Our support staff spent
the day working with Danielle Peters from Total Workplace Solutions. Danielle focussed on the concepts of
‘choosing your attitude and how an individual’s mind set can impact upon the workplace environment’.
Over the past 18 months a small group of staff have been busy working on a Middle Leadership Appraisal
Process. This framework will work to build the capacity of our School Leaders and to shape our College
as a learning organisation where professional learning and personal development are embedded in our
school culture and where improvement is continuously sought. This process was trialled in Term Four by a
volunteer group of leaders with the view to evaluate and implement the process fully in 2013.
A Community growing in Faith & Love • Serving Others • Striving to Achieve • Thinking for the Future
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