Head of Junior School
I would like to welcome the Scotch community to the 2015 academic year. I want to thank the parents who were able to attend the Parent Information Night/ Meeting the Teacher Evening on Wednesday 4 February. As part of my presentation I shared what drives and guides me as an educator and school leader.
My Philosophy of Education
- All children have the equal right to excellent education
- Developing strong and effective partnerships with colleagues and parents
- Developing strong basic skills in our students in an engaging and challenging learning environment
- Consistency
My philosophy has been developed through my experience in both the UK and Australia. In the UK I worked in very challenging schools in challenging areas. I saw a great deal on inequitably in terms of the quality of education. I also saw the need for children to be given the best opportunities possible. I learned then, and firmly believe now, that the provision of the best possible education by excellent teachers is the right of all children. I have worked throughout my career to provide that for the students in my schools.
My moral purpose is what drives me each day and is what I aim to achieve as a Head Teacher. I am fortunate to have a staff of outstanding educators to assist me in achieving my goals.I will share these with you now :
To develop an institution that provides outstanding education for the whole child. To develop strong basic skills, the arts, sport and most importantly developing good, kind engaged able young people. To develop and empower colleagues to be able to deliver the best educational outcomes for every student.
We have set are goals for this year. They are focused around improving the quality of teaching and learning in the Junior School. They include:
- Effective differentiation and challenge at all ability levels
We will be building upon our previous work looking to improve the effectiveness of our differentiated programmes. Differentiation is the key to effective learning at all ability levels.
- Enrichment in Mathematics and English
New this year, we will offer enrichment mathematics classes once per week in each year level for our most able boys. This will be linked to our approach to differentiation where all ability levels will be challenged. We are also developing an enrichment programme for English focusing on reading comprehension skills and writing.
- To enhance the use of assessment to inform teaching and learning
We are working on using formative (on going/daily) assessment of the boys work to plan for their learning. We will be using learning intentions in all lessons that will make clear what their main learning focus for the particular lesson is. We will share with the boys the success criteria so they know what they need to demonstrate to show they have learned the main focus. Our teachers will respond to the boys learning during lessons, in units, using formative assessment to make immediate changes to the level of challenge and/or approach to ensure our boys are learning and making progress.
- Maximise the effectiveness of our existing programmes
Many new programmes were introduced in 2013/14. We will not be introducing any new learning programmes in 2015. We will be working with the teachers to enhance and improve the impact our existing programmes are having. We will build upon their success and effectiveness.
- To develop a before school physical activity programme for Year 1
We are piloting a before school activity programme for Year 1. Research indicates that physical activity has a beneficial impact on brain development. It also assists boys in focusing and settling for lessons. Beginning in Week 3, we will implement 20 minutes of structured physical activity for Year 1. We expect this to work well and to be popular with other year levels. At the end of the Summer Term we will look at if and how we could roll this out to other year levels.
Other developments for 2015:
- New excursion permission form
In order to reduce the amount of paper handling between school and home and to streamline our process, we are changing our system for seeking permission for class excursions. Parents will be asked to complete a single form indicating permission for their son to attend all class excursions for the academic year.
- Streamlining communications
In response to parent feedback at the end of last year, we are streamlining communication to electronic form. All communications from your son's teachers and the Junior School will come exclusively via email or the Junior School Wiki. We are working to further develop Parent Connect as a vehicle for communication with parents. I will update you on these developments over the course of the term.
- Outside eating for lunch each day weather permitting
- Morning Teas
In an effort to get to know the parent community better and to keep you informed about our school developments I hold two morning teas per year level over the course of the school year.
- Community Conversations
I will be meeting with the Parent Class Representatives each term to update them on what we are doing and our plans for the future.
- Learning at Home
We have made some changes to how we will organise our learning at home learning programme (homework). We want our approach to take into account how busy boys are. Work will be set for a one-week or two week period (7 or 14 days). I will include instrument practice, sports training and competition and provide time with family and chores at home. I believe children need time to be children and parents need to use their judgment about what can be done, without stress, on a given night.
We will still have regular nightly or weekly expectations:
- Spelling and/ or phonics
- Consolidating of number skills
- Mathletics and Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress
- Reading
- Creation of the Nature Play Playground
We plan to begin the work on the new playground this semester.
As you can see, a great deal has been planned for in 2015. Our aim is always to improve the educational experience for the boys while ensuring we provide the very best teaching and learning programme. I am greatly looking forward to the challenges of 2015 and to getting to know the parent community better this year. Please come up to me and introduce yourself. I wish you and your son(s) all the very best for 2015.
Mr John Stewart
Head of Junior School
