The Professional Development days scheduled at the commencement of Term 2 are designed to provide our College staff with the invaluable opportunity to deeply engage in professionally developing our programs and practice. These days are always focused on strengthening the outcomes and opportunities for our students. For 2023, they were designed around the strategic aspirations for our College, which are to Challenge, Connect and Empower every learner.
All staff on our St John's and St Peters campuses engaged in a two-day workshop facilitated by Positive Partnerships. Positive Partnerships is a national project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. Their goal is to work with school communities to create inclusive learning cultures and approaches that support all students to thrive, specifically those with disabilities. Key focuses during the program were:
- supporting emotional regulation and self-management
- understanding and supporting neurodiversity
- engaging students in their strengths and interests.
The development and adoption of whole-school inclusive approaches will be a key outcome from this program.
On our Middle and Senior School campus, Uncle Tamaru Kartinyeri (Kaurna Elder) and Natalie Gentle from Reconciliation SA led a series of workshops and cultural experiences that deepened our understanding of Aboriginal culture. This day was initiated by the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan committee and provided our staff and teaching community with the understanding to authentically embed Aboriginal perspectives and experiences into our education programs.
I am extremely confident that the deep learning and innovation that has resulted from these professional experiences will have a powerful impact and benefit for our young people, as we aspire to connect, challenge and empower them in their education.
Paul Bannister
Director of Learning and Innovation
