PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AT CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE
Professional Learning at Catholic College Sale ~
Catholic College Sale teaching staff embraced further Professional Learning opportunities in 2007 with many personal and departmental goals achieved and exceeded throughout the year.
The development of the Year 9 Program last year saw many staff undertake Professional Learning opportunities so that they could effectively team teach and use resources to enhance the Year 9 classrooms.
Teachers were involved in Professional Learning at all subject areas last year attending workshops and lectures at large statewide and countrywide conferences. Many teachers were also involved in further Religious Education study offered via our own Catholic Education Office and other institutions.
Some of our VCE teachers enhanced their knowledge of their subject areas in 2007 by becoming VCE assessors. This meant that they were responsible for the marking of both Mid Year and End of Year VCE exam papers. Our VCE teachers also accessed many Professional Learning Opportunities related to VCE Study Designs, SAC Assessment and Writing and VCE Data interpretation.
Our Pathways and Careers departments excelled last year undertaking a large number training opportunities in the following areas; VET, Careers Advisement, On Track Data use and VET / VCAA funding.
2007 again saw a number of staff who undertook graduate study in the areas of Religious Education, Careers Education, Theology and ICT. These staff not only had full time teaching loads but were part time students themselves, a great commitment that should be applauded.
The different leadership teams at Catholic College Sale were also busy in 2007 enhancing both their Pastoral and Leadership skills. Many designated leaders attended courses in Restorative Justice, as well as attending Leadership training and conferences.
The overall spending in 2007 on Professional Learning has been accounted at approximately $39,000. This is an increase of $8,000 from the previous year and again does not take into account the cost of covering classes whilst teachers are away on Professional Learning. The 2007 spending on Professional Learning equates to approximately $115 per teacher.
At the conclusion of 2007 all teams including Administration and Maintenance set Professional Learning goals for 2008. Staff are already well on the way to achieving their goals with a marked increase in Administration training. The growing culture of Professional Learning at Catholic College Sale directly enhances learning and results at the College.
I am very pleased to report that there are also many teachers taking up the opportunity to develop and run their own workshops as well further enhancing the learning reputation of Catholic College Sale.
2008 is looking to be an even brighter year with many staff presenting at high level Curriculum forums. Our administration team has taken up many training opportunities. During Term 3 Catholic College Sale will run it’s own learning conference with staff in servicing each other in the areas of curriculum development, ICT, wellbeing and initiative and team games.
Sarah Carter
Director of Staff Professional Learning.
