As part of Sydney Catholic Schools, we employ highly qualified and competent teachers who are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). To continuously improve our practice, teachers also work towards the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, from proficient teacher to lead teacher level.
The delivery of quality curriculum, pedagogy (teaching methods) and assessment is ensured by our system of schools through the provision of contemporary NESA accredited professional learning in a range of modes. Our Centres of Excellence offer online learning and external face-to-face courses, and timely, collaborative and relevant in-situ learning take place within the context of each classroom. Sydney Catholic Schools’ teachers are strongly committed to their ongoing learning, with many having completed, or are currently undertaking, postgraduate studies in areas related to curriculum, student wellbeing, special education, theology, pastoral care and leadership.
Professional learning teams are generated each year at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Oatley to drive staff professional learning. Professional learning focuses on differentiation in line with the schoolwide vision and our three principles of learning: engage, inquire and achieve. Differentiation is a process that involves the use of teaching, learning and assessment strategies that are fair and flexible, provide an appropriate level of challenge, and engage students in learning in meaningful ways.
This is achieved through a systematic process including:
- Weekly staff meetings
- Internal ‘Teach Meets’
- Twilight Staff Meeting Sessions at the end of the school day
- Staff development days
- External online professional development.
Teachers document their professional development through a Performance Growth in Action Plan (PGiA). PGiA is a framework for self-directed professionals to be accountable for their performance and direct their professional growth. It brings coherence across activities and promotes reflection on performance, feedback from peers who will challenge you and continual improvement.