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Teaching & Learning


Ann Baxter – Head of Teaching & Learning

Introduction

The Worawa Learning Centre Programs incorporate all three domains of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards [VELS]: Discipline and Learning, Interdisciplinary Learning and Physical, Personal and Social Learning. The College curriculum plan calls for Learning Centres for Language, Culture, Mathematics, Science and Environment, Visual Arts and Wellbeing incorporating Health and Physical Education, Information Technology is available across all learning activities. The curriculum design is on a four-year pattern based on literacy and learning centres. This enables the following features:

  1. Suitability for Individual Learning Programs
  2. Coverage of all curriculum areas for a given student
  3. Flexibility of timetabling in response to different possible enrolment patterns
  4. Accommodation of “orbiting” students – students who enter part way through a term.

Upon entry all students undergo diagnostic assessment to determine their level of achievement. They also undergo a health test that incorporates hearing and dental checks.

2010 marked a significant year of development and change for Worawa Aboriginal College. Commencing the year as a girls only school saw intensive education for all staff and a whole new approach to the running of the College. Our beautiful new Boarding Houses were renovated and extended gradually throughout the year.

Teaching staff were all focused on developing best practice in student management and outcomes. As a result, each term has seen intensive professional development courses in areas as diverse as behavioural management, first aid and information and computer technology.

The Worawa Education Program

The Worawa Education Program is based on the concept of “two way” learning. This involves the Teaching and Learning Program addressing the Key Learning Areas of mainstream curriculum whilst taking into account Aboriginal culture, values, spiritual beliefs and learning styles. Importantly College academic staff, management and the Board are jointly committed to the ‘Walking Together’ ethos, enriching the College program through shared wisdom and knowledge.

The Warg Curriculum

Members of the Worawa Academic Reference Group (WARG) provided support to all teaching staff with their expertise in each Learning Centre of the Worawa Curriculum. These areas include; Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts, Science and Environment, Physical Education and Health, all overlaid with an Aboriginal Cultural perspective.

All students are given baseline tests in Literacy and Numeracy using the Brigance Inventory upon entering the College. They are then regularly re-tested twice a year to track their progress and modify their Individual Learning Plans. This process allows us to keep a close eye on our girl’s development and modify as necessary.

Teachers begin their term unit preparation with one question: ”How is this relevant to our students?” After some research and guidance from WARG, all subject areas can be developed from this starting point. One example we were especially proud of saw Astronomy from the eyes of the oldest astronomers on the planet. The Aboriginal Dreamtime stories for our own Southern Skies. A very successful astronomy camp with partner schools Presbyterian Ladies College and Scotch College, shared this knowledge with teachers and non-Aboriginal students who had never heard of these links.

The Arts Program continues to be developed. 2010 saw the introduction of DRAMA to The Arts Program with students enjoying workshops with the Ilbijeri Theatre Company for six weeks. We enjoyed occasional visits from Community Elders who taught their own styles to our girls and hope to see these opportunities as a more regular part of our program next year. Our girls were very productive in their own artwork and saw many pieces sold at the Presentation Day Ceremonies. The Music Program was again supported by Trinity College and we were happy to see new sets of Clap Sticks painted up, Drumming, Singing and Dance performances, (especially in Hip Hop).

Physical Education remains a great love for our students and the highlight of the year was clearly the Phillip Island camp in term Four. The students enjoyed a range of activities on the camp including bike riding, boogie boarding, surfing, volleyball and nature walks. Anytime outside is a joy for everyone and staff particularly enjoyed the comfortable rapport we developed with all students on the camp.

Academic subjects have developed some unique teaching strategies this year. Some ideas we have trialled include:

  • teaching in ten minute concentration blocks during a lesson
  • experiential learning strategies (learning by doing) which is more natural for our girls
  • increasing the number of adults available in a lesson (for more one on one attention)

The girls have thrived on these strategies and our increasing retention each term in testament to these efforts.

Teachers and Class Structures

2010 saw the arrival of a new Science, Literacy and Art teacher. Our new commitment by all teaching staff to work together and support each other in the classroom saw a significant change in our student cohort. All our students for one 11 reason or another crave one on one learning experiences and having two adults in class has made this more possible.

The introduction of another new subject called Life Skills to improve some life fundamentals such as cooking, sewing, growing plants, shopping and good nutrition. Many students found great satisfaction in this subject.

Initiatives

All staff are very proud of the hard work that has been put into the Academic Program of 2010. We saw many other successful initiatives created for our girl’s benefit. These included:

  • The Cadet Ranger Program where students gained work experience with keepers at Healesville Sanctuary
  • The Phillip Island Camp; a highly successful outdoor camp where students developed wonderful relationships with teaching staff
  • The development of the Digital Portfolio program: copies were included in semester reports
  • Lou Bennett working with our girls in music, also with Suzanne Brimacombe from Trinity Grammar
  • Our Astronomy camp, held onsite with Scotch College & Presbyterian Ladies College
  • Digital Storytelling Workshops for literacy
  • The production of Aunty Dots Story with Mt Lilydale Mercy College
  • Drivers Education with METEC
  • Several plays with the Ilbijerri Theatre company
  • Music workshop with Kutcha Edwards

Naplan

NAPLAN results for 2010 were encouraging given our comparison schools and the fact that many of our student come from remote communities where English is not their first language. The school had very few students present to sit for NAPLAN testing. Some found the process too daunting to attempt. A review of student preparation and expectation will be looked at for the next school year.

In Summary

Overall the College staff can be proud of the hard work they have given in engaging the students in their learning environment and improving both retention and outcomes throughout the 2010 school year. Challenges specific to our students have continually been addressed and staffing is stable. We head into the 2011 school year with clear directions for the College for academic programs and technology development. We look forward to challenging our students to more school camps, increased E Learning and further opportunities for work experience and qualifications to take home and use. We remain dedicated to providing each of our girls with a definite pathway to future study and careers that are relevant to their home communities and their personal goals.

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