The vision for ‘Learning’ in St Kevin’s School Community
One of the 3 statements in our mission statement is that we work to develop lifelong learners. St Kevin’s School follows the curriculum guidelines required in all Brisbane Catholic Education schools, following the learning framework model. The overarching goal of this framework is that we empower learners of all ages to shape and enrich our changing world, by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The statements in the vision statement above reflect our beliefs at St Kevin’s about learners and learning, in particular the statement:
At St Kevin's we foster a quality curriculum, encouraging and empowering all as life long learners, growing in knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.
We aim to produce reflective, self-directed learners who are able to take on roles in the real world as quality producers, designers and creators, active investigators, effective communicators, leaders and collaborators and community contributors.
St Kevin’s School has goals for renewal in several areas and the following broad goal and its related goals reflect our strategic direction plan in the curriculum area:
Broad Strategic Goal:
St Kevin's is committed to the development of life long learners through the provision of an engaging curriculum.
Goals:
All staff are committed to quality teaching and professional learning.
Provide engaging learning experiences to meet the needs of all students within our Key Learning Areas.
Information and communication technologies are integrated into student and staff learning processes.
That an outcomes-based curriculum framework provides for quality planning, teaching and learning, assessing and reporting across the school.
This means that we use an outcomes approach to planning, teaching, assessment and reporting. We plan for whole groups as well as for the needs of individuals within the groups, writing Individual Education Programmes where appropriate for students with special needs to help them access the curriculum. We modify pedagogy and assessment techniques to assist all students to demonstrate achievement.
Demonstration of Learning at St Kevin’s
Teachers meet in year level teams with the Curriculum Support Teacher and with the Teacher Librarian to plan connected curriculum units of work that will enable all students to access the curriculum and offer ways for all students to demonstrate their learning. Often this means the unit will include a ‘rich task’ which requires of the student to move through the term’s work making connections and completing work which is then stored in a folio to present at the completion. Teachers use a variety of techniques to assess a student’s performance, including criteria sheets, tests, peer and self assessment, and retain a variety of work samples and records of activities, both written and oral.
At the start of the year, all classes hold a parent teacher night to inform the parents of the curriculum and expectations of that year level. Some classes hold other parent nights during the year as the need arises, especially in regard to Sacramental Programme and year level camps. In June, at the end of first semester, and in November at the end of second semester, parents receive a written report which details their child’s progress in all subject areas. Towards the end of Term 1, parents are invited to a parent teacher interview to discuss their child’s progress and work together on strategies that will assist the student.
Evaluation of Programme Effectiveness:
At the start of planning sessions, teachers evaluate the previous term’s unit of work, noting changes they would make if this unit is taught again next year.
The Curriculum Support Teacher monitors planning for and achievement of outcomes across the school, noting areas of weakness in pedagogy or in teacher knowledge of the meaning of the outcome. Where there is a need seen, the Principal arranges for staff in-service to assist the teachers in their learning.
Successes are celebrated in assemblies and by fortnightly awards, with a special Academic Awards ceremony being held at the end of each semester to recognise outstanding achievement. Two students receive the awards from each Yr. 4-7 class each semester. At the end of the year, special awards are given in particular areas like Performing Arts, Sport, Languages Other Than English and Christian Leadership.
Teachers meet during Term 3 to share best practice, in particular of assessment items, in readiness for Consistency of Teacher Judgement Day in Term 4. They attend the day in a local geographic cluster to participate in inter school sharing of best practice and in-service as arranged by the schools.
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Kevin's Catholic Primary School (2023)