At this time of the term, it is a worthwhile exercise to pause and reflect on the learning undertaken so far.  This reflection is important to recognise the learning not only of all our students as we prepare to look forward to next term, but also that of our staff.

Did you know this term, our teachers have also undertaken professional learning and development to ensure they are meeting the diverse needs of the students in our community.  These learning areas include:  Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Hearing Impairment (HI), Social-Emotional Disorder (SED), Speech - Language Impairment (SLI), Intellectual Disability (ID), Cued Articulation, multiple 2-day THRASS Training Sessions, Circle Solutions and MAPA.

Teachers have also engaged with Early Years Testing and Feedback to inform future teaching, Adjusted Learning Plan planning days and meetings with parents,  Alternative Curriculum Plan planning days and meetings with parents, as well as Term 2 curriculum planning days.  We have several staff also undertaking tertiary education courses in addition to their school-based professional development including TAFE, Masters and Doctoral level studies.

Our Leadership Team has engaged with additional professional development through the Inclusive Education Network Meeting, Learning and Teaching Advisor Network for curriculum, Principals Conference, APRE Conference, Chaplains Network Meeting, and the APA conference taking place in week 9.  Next week members of the school Inclusive Education Team will travel to Brisbane for the Disability and Inclusion conference, whilst members of the QCEC Research Partner Schools Project will also attend a conference in Brisbane.  

Our school officers are not forgotten in their professional development, as they are about to develop their own Professional Learning Plans, supported through the use of the professional development matrix.  Our school Defence Support Mentor has also attended network meeting days.

St Benedict’s values Love, Community, Learning, and Stewardship.  It is for these reasons that we place an emphasis on life-long learning.  By continuing to support our staff in their professional learning, so too is the delivery of best-practice support for our students community facilitated through love and stewardship of the future.  St Benedict taught us: It takes a lifetime of practice to fully develop the skills needed to engage the passion and direct the cares of a person’s life.

Yours in Support

Ros