From the Principal In May this year, we held a research
This led to commencing our
It pains me that, at times, our educators
conference, albeit with a slight twist.
own research project on teacher
are not viewed in the same light as
Our hosts for the evening were Lucy
professionalism, motivation and
other professionals when I see each
Clark and Charlotte Hartin, both in Year
aspiration. Using the rich data collected
day how hard they work and the impact
11 at Pymble, and the theme of the
from focus groups, individual discussions
they have on the lives of our young
conference referenced students both as
and anecdotal feedback, we crafted our
people. Professor Twining has focussed
researchers and as subjects of research.
very own internal process which allows
on this question throughout his career.
Those in attendance may have noticed
us to recognise and reward teachers at a
His research indicates the importance
the shift. At Pymble, we have a phrase
higher level of remuneration.
of building research capacity and skills
that guides our thinking in all matters: “Nothing about us, without us” reflects our focus on student voice. Instead of adults taking to the microphone and telling students how and why research was important, we were engaging in a student-led conference with a program the fabulous Lucy and Charlotte had codesigned and run.
Research in this context means that our students receive the dual benefit of the College retaining excellent teachers, as well as findings of the action research our Pymble Plus candidates will conduct. The group piloting Pymble Plus is working on projects including ways of promoting flexible thinking in Extension-level Mathematics, methods
Research is being done differently at
to make Mathematics learning visible
Pymble. Putting students at the centre is
in primary years and the design of
one way we’re doing this but another is
learning environments that promote
through where research sits. Research is, deeper thinking. literally and authentically, in action every day at Pymble. It doesn’t always need to be “on” students and staff or “about” students and staff – it can be “with” students and staff to achieve practical outcomes that make a difference to the lives of our educators.
The question of teacher professionalism periodically raises its head. Professor Peter Twining, from the University of Newcastle, recently addressed the Research Invested Schools Network of which Pymble is a member. The Network is a collaborative group formed
One example is an initiative to support
by Dr Hugh Chilton and Dr Caitlin
our excellent classroom teachers at
Munday at The Scots College. Professor
Pymble. You can read more about the
Twining asked whether teaching should
conceptual background behind the
be counted as a profession when those
Pymble Plus project in Kerryl Howarth’s
working in this area are not always held
article in this edition. As our new Director
in high esteem, unlike our colleagues in
of Professional Learning, Kerryl has
medicine or law. The group discussed
scoped and designed a new way for our
the attributes of a professional and ways
teachers to move from Band 2 to Band
in which schools are promoting teacher
3 on the accreditation scale. This is an
voice and the ability to lead change.
area of great importance to me as I had received feedback from staff that the existing, external pathway to higher levels of accreditation was problematic.
into the school culture, and ensuring staff can access journals, research and professional learning networks with other researchers to keep growing and developing as professionals. This is precisely what we are doing through our Pymble Institute and the projects, conferences and publications, such as Illuminate, produced under its banner. Please enjoy this edition which shines a light on our ongoing commitment to action research across all areas of teaching and learning at Pymble, including the professional development and growth of our remarkable educators. Finally, my thanks to our professionals, our incredible teachers, who I have the pleasure of learning from and working with each day. They are inspiring, caring, knowledgeable and they are creating the next generation of women who will change the world together in important and meaningful ways.
Dr Kate Hadwen B.ED, GRAD CERT ED LEADERSHIP, M.ED, PHD PRINCIPAL
We all know our educators are extraordinary professionals, inspiring our students, and each other, every day.
Pymble Ladies’ College
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