St Catherine’s School Teaching and Learning Framework

In 2022, St Catherine’s School worked Towards 2025 with the following achievements across our Senior School, Junior School and Early Learning Centre.

The Thinking Classroom

• Our Culture of Thinking Model has emerged through targeted strategies in every Faculty and subject area. A key focus for all teachers has been enhancing thinking in their classrooms through their strategies and programs. This model has led to outstanding academic achievements and equipped students with a suite of skills and strategies.

Teaching and Learning Framework

• Introduction of Teaching and Learning Framework to provide students with strongest foundation possible to reach their aspirations.

• Recognises that students learn best when their wellbeing is optimised.

• Framework aligned to School Values and Teaching for Thinking culture.

• Eight learner competencies utilised and differentiated at each Year level; Year 7 weModel, Years 8 and 9 weScaffold and Years 10 to 12 weCoach.

• Supported by research, the Framework instills the firm belief that persistence and intellectual curiosity are determinants of academic success and the direct relationship between students’ wellbeing and skills.

Year 9 Critical Conversations Program

• A key element of the Teaching for Thinking culture is the Year 9 Critical Conversations Program.

• Students develop their thinking skills through developing curiosity in asking questions, solving problems independently, academic risk taking and developing persistence when unsure.

• The learning model is unique and allows students to lead critical conversations in small classes with the teacher acting as an observer.

• In 2022, the Critical Conversations Program operated within Geography and History subjects.

• The Program runs within specialised rooms centered around large, oval tables where all contributors have equal access.

Senior Years Learning Model (SYLM)

• Introduced in 2021, the SYLM places Years 10 and 11 students into a hybrid learning model with face-toface classes and online delivery of masterclass lectures and tutorials.

• The Model was refined and developed throughout 2022 based on continual feedback.

• Students relished the opportunity for self-paced and independent learning through this Model.

• SYLM was recognised with an Excellence Award at the 2022 Australian Educator Awards: Innovation in Learning Environment Design.