Exemplary Educators We Commit to Exemplary Staff

Ms Sue Macgeorge announced as the ninth recipient of the St Catherine’s Teaching in Excellence Award. This Award is peer nominated and recognises consistent and dedicated service to teaching, excellent student outcomes and a willingness to share successful teaching and learning strategies.

Fifteen, St Catherine’s VCE teachers engaged in the opportunity to be Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) markers and assessors.

Assessing VCE external examinations provides valuable professional development, interaction with colleagues at other schools and an opportunity to contribute more broadly to the VCE external assessment process.

In 2022, the following St Catherine’s staff have contributed to the state-wide process:

Mathematics

Mrs Janette Matt –Assistant Chief Assessor for Specialist Maths

Mr Wei Wang –Specialist Maths Exam 2

Mrs Angela Klancic –Maths Methods Exam 1

Science

Ms Sue Macgeorge –Biology Assistant Chief Assessor

Ms Vanessa Jackson-McRae –Chemistry

Humanities

Ms Anna Curnow –History Revolutions & Ancient History

Mr Paul Gilby –Global Politics & EAL

Languages

Ms Asuko Okumura –Japanese

Miss Weini (Winnie) Xie –Chinese

English / EAL

Mr Darren Plunkett –EAL

Miss Kristy Forrest –English

Ms Vasiliki Spanos –Literature

The Arts

Mr Nick Grunden –Music Practical and Theory

Mrs Alison Cassidy –Visual Communication & Design

Mr James Brown –Theatre Studies

The Thinking Agenda

Our Culture of Thinking Model has emerged through targeted strategies in every Faculty and subject area. A key focus for all teachers’ professional learning 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

Dr Peter Ellerton from the University of Queensland’s Centre for Critical Thinking provided insights to St Catherine’s staff on critical thinking in education.

• Cultivating the Thinking Classroom

Keynote Address delivered by Dr Tim O’Leary, discussing the idea that cultivating a strong classroom culture (or ‘vibe’) is the key to impactful practice.

• Cultivating the Thinking Classroom

Guest Speaker Dr Peter Ellerton delivered a workshop on ‘The Importance of Teacher Intent in Questioning’.

• St Catherine’s Professional Learning Teams, collaborated on designing projects around imperatives such as:

• Increasing the metacognitive capacities of senior students to assist them in acting purposefully on feedback and improving deliberate practice.

• Developing independence in Year 9 students through faculty-focused signature programs, to equip them with the skills necessary for transition into the senior years.

• Using scaffolding tools such as thinking routines and online tutorials in Year 10, to improve student self-efficacy.

Named in The Educator Hot List for 2022, Ms Michelle Carroll, Principal and Mrs Ceri Lloyd, Director of Teaching and Learning are highlighted as leaders to watch in the Australian education sector. Assessed against their peers, the Hot List recognises educators who are providing innovative and exceptional learning experiences for students.

Australian Education Awards –2022 Excellence Awardees

Best School Strategic Plan: recognises the best strategic plan developed by a school in Australia.

Innovation in Learning Environment Design: recognises the best innovation in learning environment design developed by a school in Australia.

All Junior School staff from Prep to Year 3 have now completed the Sounds Write Program. It is a quality phonics program, and its purpose is to provide classroom professionals with a comprehensive system with which to teach reading, spelling and writing.

ELC educators undertook professional learning in the areas of:

• Child Safety practices and how to embed the new child safe standards in the classroom

• The Reggio Emilia Approach

• Teaching for Thinking

• Mindfulness Practices

• Sustainability Practices

• Digital Documentation of children’s learning