Live It. Learn It. Love It
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THE MAGAZINE OF LAURISTON GIRLS’ SCHOOL // December 2012 Live it. Learn it. Love it. FROM THE PRINCIPAL Teaching for the 21st century Lauriston Life The magazine of Good teachers make a positive Professor John Hattie of the University Professors Andy Hargreaves We also ask our teachers to difference in the lives of young people, of Melbourne has undertaken years and Michael Fullan argue that participate in learning groups, which Lauriston Girls’ School and many adults can recall particular of meta-analysis on research relating governments should be making are focused on specific elements teachers who helped them to develop to the nature of learning, and his work long-term investments in the of the School’s Strategic Plan. These Lauriston Girls’ School their individual talents, or consider in this area has shown that, of all the ‘professional capital’ of teachers. learning groups have to date 38 Huntingtower Road career options or life paths. If our 21st variables that affect student learning, Hargreaves and Fullan write: ‘Countries undertaken a wide range of tasks, Armadale Vic. 3143 century teachers are to continue to teachers have the most significant and communities that invest in including reviewing curriculum, Australia make a positive difference, schools impact. To achieve improvement in professional capital recognize that developing new programs, trialling must continue to enhance teacher learning, teachers must first, Professor educational spending is a long-term and implementing our new online t: +61 3 9864 7555 professionalism and to reflect deeply Hattie proposes, be passionate and investment in developing human learning management system (see f: +61 3 9822 7950 on all key aspects of teaching and inspired. He further defines teacher capital from early childhood to adult overleaf) and reviewing transitions at e: [email protected] learning. excellence when he identifies the key life … A big part of this investment is key year levels. www.lauriston.vic.edu.au characteristics of ‘expert teachers’. in high-quality teachers and teaching There is a growing body of research Learning groups enable us to use CRICOS number 00152F … Getting good teaching for all about teaching and learning, and Expert teachers, he writes in Visible a distributed leadership model, learners requires teachers to be highly ABN 15 004 264 402 we have moved a long way from Learning for Teachers: Maximizing whereby teachers who have expertise committed, thoroughly prepared, the autonomous teacher in the Impact on Learning (2012), have and interest in a curriculum area continuously developed, properly PRINCIPAL classroom, standing in front of a class ‘high levels of knowledge and that is under review can lead the paid, well networked with each other Susan Just and imparting his or her knowledge. understanding of the subjects that investigation and review process. They to maximize their own improvement, We have also moved away from a they teach’ and are able to can thus become part of change and and able to make effective judgments EDITOR perception of students as passive can be part of the implementation of • guide learning to desirable surface using all their capabilities and Marina Johnson recipients of knowledge, without an new initiatives at the School, while also “Mrs Drewe, our principal, who taught and deep outcomes’ experience’ (Professional Capital: active role in the learning process. participating in professional learning. me Latin and the finest values of Transforming Teaching in Every School, PRODUCTION • successfully monitor learning and integrity, fairness and putting others Teaching is no longer about filling 2012). To critically reflect on one’s teaching, Katie Garrett provide feedback that assists students first. Mrs Boddington, who opened the up empty vessels – our students – so as to be in a position to enhance to progress’ At Lauriston, professional learning is treasures of Australian literature to me. with content from our subjects, but learning outcomes for one’s students, CONTRIBUTORS a core focus for our teachers, as is Miss Kennedy, who taught me how to is about engaging our students in is a significant task for teachers. • attend to the more attitudinal collaboration. Jenny Bars study. Mrs Winchester, who despaired meaningful dialogue, and activities, so attributes of learning (especially At Lauriston, our teachers’ active Andrew Borthwick over my maths. We didn’t use the term that they actively participate in their developing self-efficacy and mastery Teaching is a complex activity, and commitment to the continuous Katie Garrett then, but they were our role models. own learning and invest their time in motivation)’. teachers do not work in isolation. A key re-evaluation of their practice is Joan Hammonds They offered a quiet, straightforward developing a deep understanding of theme in current educational research observable in the dialogues between Ann Hooper message that we girls could do their chosen subjects. The Australian Government, like is the value of teacher collaboration teachers, whether in formal or informal Fiona Ireland anything if we set our minds to it.” governments around the world, is and the opening of classrooms so settings, that take place throughout The information explosion of the late Marina Johnson giving attention to the education that colleagues can observe each the School every day. Our teachers’ —Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO, 20th century and early 21st century is that we must provide to our children other’s teaching practice and provide capacity for collaboration, and their Nene Macwhirter Governor-General of Australia overwhelming, and, while the teacher and young people in order to ensure Sam Ridley valuable feedback. openness to change, is just as evident remains responsible for imparting core I very much enjoyed reading My that they are equipped to meet the in their participation in our learning Kellie Ryan knowledge, his or her role is now also Research findings show that teacher Favourite Teacher, a compilation of demands of life in this increasingly groups – where the focus is squarely Nick Thornton focused on providing young people collaboration – which includes the personal stories by Australians from all complex century, and capable of on curriculum, student learning, and with the tools they will need if they shared development of work for walks of life, edited by Robert Macklin. making a contribution not only in teaching methods that will deliver the DESIGN AND PRINTING are to be effective lifelong learners. students; discussion about individual I have chosen to begin my final their own society but also in a global best possible outcomes for our young Impress Print Management Knowing how to learn has become students’ progress; analysis of student Lauriston Life article for 2012 with an context. The Australian Institute for women. a vitally important skill because performance; the sharing of strategies excerpt from the piece that Quentin Teaching and School Leadership lifelong learning is essential in a world for improvement of student outcomes; Susan Just Bryce contributed to this volume. (AITSL) has been established to where what needs to be learned and the sharing of resources – can Principal I have done so firstly because the develop national standards for is expanding at an exponential make an important contribution to message that our Governor-General teachers and principals, and, in the rate. Moreover, employers are more the teaching and learning process. At offers about strong female role models coming years, teachers and school interested in employing individuals Lauriston, high levels of collaboration is an important one, and secondly leaders will be required to meet COVER who can continue to develop their are evident in both Junior School (see because I have my own affiliation with those standards and ‘the expectation A camel ride at sunset was a knowledge and skills. article on page 7) and Senior School. her old school, Moreton Bay College in that [they will] actively engage in highlight of the Noonkanbah trip In addition, we encourage support Brisbane, where I was a teacher and professional learning throughout their (see page 14) for individual teachers through later Head of English. careers’ (Australian Charter for the Professional Learning of Teachers and the opening of classrooms so that School Leaders, 2012). teachers can observe each other. 2 3 SENIOR SCHOOL HOWQUA ‘Just Moodling …’ A setting for unique teaching and learning opportunities ‘What’s Moodling?’ I hear you ask. ‘Is it Moodle via their daughter’s login functions that teachers can use to something like doodling?’ protocol). Moodle is a fantastic assist students to remain on track with resource for students who need to their learning. For instance, tips on how Well no, not really. be absent from school because of to approach assessment tasks, as well ‘Moodling’ simply means using illness or travel commitments, or for as reminders about due dates, can be Moodle, a respected and widely other reasons. They can simply log in sent to students as email messages adopted web-based learning to Moodle and catch up with the work delivered through Moodle. Moodle is The truly remarkable aspects of spans two subjects – Environmental peer relationships, and group management system (LMS). Now in they have missed. Being away from also able to log the dates on which working at Howqua include the Science and Humanities. The students dynamics; acquiring outdoor skills; use at Lauriston, Moodle provides school no longer has to mean anxiety students submit their work, and so variety of teaching spaces available, also observe the effects of erosion and learning about and building an electronic platform for learning about falling behind. And one of the provides teachers with a useful tool the creative ways in which our staff at Wild Dog Creek, and see how this resilience and physical fitness. best things about Moodle is that it can as they monitor student learning and make use of the beautiful natural erosion is being managed; measure documentation and other learning Some of what the girls learn is of a be accessed from anywhere in the achievement.