Issue 1 / 28 February 2014
From the Principal Teaching & Learning Strategic Focus At the beginning of every school year at St Andrews, staff begin with a Retreat. On the first morning, the Strategic Foci for the year are clearly laid out for all staff. This is important because it guides our efforts throughout the year, and helps us focus our energy, attention and resources as a College. At the heart of our strategic foci is effective Teaching and Learning. As a College we are always seeking to improve this, and so our work is driven by research and evidence, grounded in the collective experience of our teachers. One of the key strategies we are implementing this year involves the introduction of a Teaching and Learning Framework in the secondary school. The framework is known as Dimensions of Learning, and complements the PYP framework of the Junior School. Among the reasons for adopting a Teaching and Learning Framework is to provide greater coherence to the already strong Pedagogy in place. In addition, such frameworks mean that as a College we are constantly focusing on improving teacher practice, enhancing student learning, and developing an engaging curriculum. It brings together what we know about effective learning. As a Framework, Dimensions of Learning has five key elements - a focus on creating an effective learning environment, developing strong and positive learning dispositions in students, an emphasis on the fundamentals such as literacy and numeracy, and an emphasis on higher order thinking skills. If you would like to read a brief summary of Dimensions of Learning, it can be accessed at http://www.cqu.edu.au/academic/hed/sea/embeddedprofessional-learning/dimensions-of-learning
Dimension 1: Attitudes and Perceptions Dimension 2: Acquire and Integrate New Knowledge Dimension 3: Extend and Refine Knowledge Dimension 4: Using Knowledge Meaningfully Dimension 5: Habits of Mind
Growth Mindset In relation to teaching and learning, one of the key goals of the College is to help our students to be the best possible learner that they can be. One of the important strategies to assist our children and young people to do this is to help them to develop what is known as a Growth Mindset. The development of a Growth Mindset is linked to what we now know about intelligence, learning and the human brain. We now know that the human brain is malleable, and as a consequence intelligence is not something that is fixed, but rather with hard work, persistence and the right strategies it can be developed. This approach to learning and intelligence is known as a Growth Mindset. When we adopt such an approach, effective learning is enhanced. It means when we encounter difficult or challenging topics or subjects, we are more likely to persist, learn from our mistakes or errors, try new ways of learning, and eventually make progress with our learning.