2 minute read
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
JOHN SEPTIMUS ROE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
EVOLVE 2021
A full week of professional development was on offer for staff at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School as they returned to school for Term 3.
Evolve 2021 was the inaugural staff professional development conference week held at the School. The development opportunity was focused on the School strategic direction and improvement plans, coupled with providing opportunity for staff to meet a range of the AITSAL professional teaching standards.
The week-long conference stemmed from discussion with the Schools’ Executive staff, as they examined ways to better utilise the limited professional development days usually scheduled at the beginning and end of each term.
Principal Jason Bartell said Executive staff aimed to set a tone which allowed all staff to engage in a deep and meaningful way and further their own professional journey.
“Connections between primary and secondary highlighted our community focus with some sessions including all staff together, while others focused on a particular phase of learning,” he said.
“Administration and other non-teaching staff were also involved in the conference week; with their own professional development, and being invited to wellbeing sessions as well as the morning teas and lunches with teaching staff. staff a refreshing technology detox.”
Staff responded positively to the opportunity.
“It was so nice to have a week of meaningful PD when we were fresh after a break and I really felt it provided an opportunity to connect and network with our staff as a whole,” one staff member said.
Sessions held throughout the week included; Restorative Practice with Gabrielle Lawlor, a data focused session with our Directors of Teaching and Learning, Gifted and Talented education with Kylie Bice, Anglican Identity with The Reverend Patrick King and a range of other hour-long sessions run by members of our middle management group.
Morning well-being sessions were also an option for staff, including Pilates, meditation, walking and running to set a positive tone each day.
“I finished the week feeling like I had learned meaningful new skills and ideas that I could apply to my teaching and feeling more connected to my colleagues,” one staff member said.
The conference week was fully catered, in the most part by the School Hospitality program, providing our students further opportunity in learning how to cater for a large event.
The highlight for many was the final day which involved a staff well-being day in the City; staff attended the WA Museum, had lunch with a Whale in Hackett Hall, attempted to free themselves from Escape rooms, visited the Nostalgia Box Museum and concluded the day at The Aviary.
