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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.

Senior School

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.

Academic Success

• 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.