Issue 2 / 23 May 2014
From the Principal Teaching and Learning around the Campus The highlight of my week is always my visits to classrooms. To observe the quality of teaching and learning that occurs in classrooms across the College is a wonderful privilege. Upon entering a classroom whether it is a Prep Literacy Rotation, or a Year 12 Maths C Class it is clearly evident that St Andrews is blessed with skilled, passionate teachers - teachers who have a real heart for this community and for the children and young people that they teach. It is apparent that St Andrews teachers put a great deal of thought and preparation into their teaching - from making the Japanese Language relevant to Year 2s, to engaging real world Year 6 Science Extension learning activities, through to Year 11 Business Studies learning how to run a small business, the breadth and depth of St Andrews teacher’s knowledge and pedagogical expertise is apparent. One thing that always impresses me when I’m in classes is just how well our teachers know their students – what their students’ learning strengths are, and where there might be some gaps. For example our Senior English teachers provide excellent individualized feedback on their student’s draft essays so that each student knows exactly what they need to do in order to improve. The defining quality that I notice when I visit classrooms is the quality of the teacher-student relationship. St Andrews teachers work hard at developing positive relationships with their students, because encouraging and affirming relationships lie at the heart of effective learning. A senior member of staff shared recently shared an email from a recent past student whose family had moved interstate and so had to move also. In the email the past student remarked just how special the teacher-relationship was at St Andrews, and that she only really appreciated since having to change schools.
Parental Involvement St Andrews is fortunate to have Parents and Grandparents who are willing to help out in the College - from serving on the P&F, helping in the Tuckshop or Uniform Shop, sewing costumes for Musicals, running a stall at the Fete, or assisting in their child’s classroom. This term I have had the privledge to see two great examples of parental involvement. The first was a few weeks ago when we had over 40 parents attend a workshop about how to assist your child with reading at home. The other has been the ongoing involvement of parents with Literacy Rotations in the Junior School. Volunteering within the College is a good thing to do for a whole host of reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is that it helps to make a highly effective school. Being involved in your child’s education helps to build what is known as ‘Social Capital’. By building social capital in a school student learning actually improves. As parents and grandparents by volunteering in our community you are helping to improve the learning outcomes of not just your child, but all St Andrews students.