Curriculum Matters

As discussed last year, remote and blended instruction have forced an unprecedented review of teaching and learning practices. The result is an increased awareness of what works and what doesn’t and a renewed interest in what learning looks like and how we assess it.

At SJPC we recognise that learning and expertise are not static, they are continual processes that involve practice, adjustment, and refinement. 

We have started by avoiding a sense of finality in grading. The NSW education system uses grades as indicators of the level of achievement of outcomes in each course. However, grades are only part of the discussion, they are not the discussion.

We are designing a more flexible, supportive approach to assessment in Years 7 – 9 with an emphasis on developing an attitude of continuous improvement and learning.

Our aim is to develop expert learners who are motivated, knowledgeable, resourceful and goal-directed. Learners who are focused on effective habits and routines as opposed to deadlines. As a result, students in Years 7 – 9 will have multiple opportunities to provide evidence of their learning and achievement of course outcomes across a semester. With feedback playing a vital role in student growth and improvement.

Besides receiving feedback on how they’re doing, students are encouraged to reflect on their learning and whether they have met each lesson’s success criteria, as well as determining which strategies they need to employ to improve.

Obviously an important step in this process is to educate our College community to ensure everyone understands what learning, assessment and grading ’looks’ like and what strategies students can use to allow them to grow and move to the next grade across a multitude of knowledge and skill sets. We are in the process of creating these resources to support the conversations, that are already occurring, between students, teachers and parents.

The College bases decisions on solid data and educational research. This research shows that fewer, more targeted, and more flexible assignments reduce stress for everyone and give time for reflection, revision, and deeper thinking. Thus leading to learning gains and improved grades, as a student’s ability to think, write, and problem-solve improves.

A student’s grade becomes a reflection of the evidence they have provided across different styles of tasks and learning opportunities over time rather than one or two examinations.

Please join us on this journey. We are excited with where this may take our community and we ask you to trust us to implement the strategies that international educational research has shown to be effective.

Here is a video you may find helpful when discussing how to study effectively with your children: How to study effectively with your children