Teachers' newsletter vol 1 no 1

1

Academic Department’s Teachers’ Newsletter Vol. 1, No.1

April 2015

Dear Teachers, In the midst of this very busy time for your schools and your regional and school group offices, I’d like to take an opportunity to introduce myself and the academic team at the Head office and share with you a number of new initiatives and projects we are currently undertaking on your behalf.

Firstly, I’d like to disclose our vision as an academic department in undertaking all of the current and new educational initiatives across the Beaconhouse School System:

Within a local and international context and through responsible, leadership, transparent policies and sustainable practices we provide a research-driven support system to empower our learners, teachers, administrators, and ourselves in becoming change agents in 21st century educational reforms.

This is the foundation upon which we are building a 21st century learning organization and supporting your school in becoming a model professional learning community within the Beaconhouse family.

Academic Department’s Teachers’ Newsletter

2

I would like to thank everyone including Heads, teachers and students for the feedback we received on the Beaconhouse Learner profile. The profile has now been completed and is ready to be rolled out across Beaconhouse Pakistan and internationally from the beginning of the next academic year. Given the diversity within all our schools, the learner profile allows us to feel united country wide and internationally as one professional learning community.

In addition to the learner profile, we are also revising all BSS curricula from Pre-Nursery through Class 8. We are moving away from an overly prescribed curricula to one where flexibility with appropriate scaffolding will empower teachers to become teachers of content and teachers of learning. We will update everyone soon on when we expect to phase in the new curriculum along with the kinds of professional development and support which will scaffold this process.

Speaking of professional development, we are also working closely with your regional and school group office training and professional development support teams to move to a school based model of professional development. This will include formal and informal professional development, the latter being based around your interest and needs. A further initiative in relation to professional development is school improvement planning. We are currently creating a handbook for all schools which will help your school leaders in initiating school based improvement plans with a clear focus on achieving improved learning outcomes for children and promoting effective teaching and learning across all year levels and subjects. We encourage you to become researchers of your profession, leading change in your schools through developing action research projects that will inform best practice in your classroom.

One of our most significant initiatives in coordination with the Information Technology department is the ongoing development of a system wide digital learning strategy from Pre-Nursery through A levels/IB Diploma classes. We are working towards creating more equity in educational technologies across the system, as well as providing the kinds of training and support to you so you feel confident in your roles as 21st teachers.

Academic Department’s Teachers’ Newsletter

We are continuing to work towards implementing school based counselling in all our branches, along with a compassionate, reassuring PSHE program for children and young people so they feel supported when dealing with the unique existential conditions in which they find themselves. Furthermore we are in the final stages of producing a child protection policy for all children within the Beaconhouse school system.

I’m also sure you’ll be pleased to know that we are reviewing key sections of the Academic Practices and Procedures Manual. There are many sections of this essential guide which need to be overhauled to align with 21st century teaching and learning. The current review includes sections on: Assessment philosophy and policy for BSS  Homework policy across all years and subjects (we are reviewing the necessity to prescribe this in Early Years)  Standardized and suggested timetables In addition we are developing policies and procedures for:  PSHE  Child protection  School Based Professional Development  The International Baccalaureate continuum  Digital device/ Mobile phone policy  A Community Service framework across all year levels within BSS 

Subsequent to the Head’s meetings earlier this year, we have set up working parties with school heads. They are scheduled to report their findings to me on these key areas by May 30th 2015.

One of the most exciting and anticipated events of the year is the co-celebration of Beaconhouse’s 40th anniversary and the School of Tomorrow Conference, all of which are scheduled for November of this year. A number of key events are planned where your participation and contribution will be encouraged and welcomed. Many of you are already contributing to the book ‘Seeking the Light: Essay and Stories on Teaching and Learning in Pakistan’.

I hope you’ll join me in working together on these exciting developments in Beaconhouse and I assure you of our continuous and ongoing support from the head office academic team. Finally, I invite you to contact me directly for advice, support or to make contributions to any of the contents discussed above.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Burke Lawrence Burke, Ed.D Director of Academics

3

Academic Department’s Teachers Newsletter

4

Don’t forget to check out the newly revamped Learning Centre!

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”

-Carl Jung

Head Office: 10-11 Gurumangat Road, Gulberg III Lahore, Pakistan