What we will be learning rather than what we will be doing

In 2018, the academic programs across the Junior and Senior Schools have incorporated a focus on the importance of making explicit for our students what they are going to learn. The ‘learning intention’ (or objective) for a lesson or series of lessons is a statement which describes clearly what the teacher wants the students to know, understand and be able to do, as a result of the learning and teaching activities.

Clarity of learning and articulating the learning expectations, in all classrooms, for all girls, ensures classroom dialogue is about the learning journey. When students know the learning intention of a lesson, it helps to focus them on the purpose of the activity. Rather than simply completing an activity, students know where to focus their efforts, for example which part of the activity actually encompasses the learning; students are more likely to stay ‘on task’ and less likely to be confused or distracted and can take more responsibility for their learning. Focusing on the learning – as in the skills, knowledge and understanding – rather than on the context, has the advantage of making it more likely that students will be able to transfer their learning from one context to another.

In line with this, teachers are focused on developing the ‘success criteria’ for each unit of work using a clearly worded criteria (or rubric) which establishes high expectations coupled with a clear direction for students, enabling them to progress to the next level with their academic work.

Melbourne University Professor, John Hattie, explains the importance of sharing learning intentions is that “students have the same idea as their teacher what is going on in the classroom and what they should be leaning as a result of doing. Many students are not going to know this unless it is clearly signposted.”

None of these ideas are new, yet a large and growing research base shows that implementing clearly articulated ‘learning intentions’, combined with the defined success criteria (and what success looks like) yields substantial improvement in student learning. In a newly created coaching role for teachers, Senior School teacher, Miss Kristy Forrest, will focus on developing professional learning teams across our academic staff. These teams will share a professional journey to build individual and collective skill and confidence in the practice of teaching and learning. Kristy has recently completed a Master Study through The University of Melbourne and as such provides a level of expertise and experience to share across our staff. At home, parents are encouraged to talk to their daughters about the ‘learning intentions’ that have been articulated across their School day.

I look forward to sharing further insights from our students in the coming months about their thoughts on this approach.

St John’s Anglican Church – Confirmation Opportunity

St John’s Anglican Church, Toorak, is offering a Preparation Course in Term 2 for members of the St Catherine’s School community who wish to be confirmed. All students, staff members and their families are warmly invited to participate in the Course.

The Confirmation Service will take place on Sunday 27 May, at 3.00pm with Bishop Genieve Blackwell presiding.

The Preparation Course will involve participating in four sessions conducted over four weeks, each offering space for reflective discussion on matters of faith, belief and Christian living, alongside scholarly teaching on the Bible and the Church. In the Anglican Church, Confirmation is taking up for yourself the promises made by your parents at your Baptism, ‘to be inspired by God’s love and the teaching of Jesus Christ’. The Preparation Course will be led by the Reverend Elizabeth Murray, Assistant Curate at St John’s. Elizabeth has extensive experience in Tertiary and Christian education and a deep commitment to ongoing learning.

Expressions of Interest should be emailed to our Director of Student Wellbeing, Ms Merran O’Connor: MOConnor@stcatherines.net.au

St John’s Parish clergy are available to assist with further enquiries.

The Reverend Dr Peter French, Vicar vicar@saintjohnstoorak.org

The Reverend Elizabeth Murray, Assistant Curate curate@saintjohnstoorak.org

03 9826 1765