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.
Teachers at St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School Panania are as rigorously challenged and vulnerable as the students through their professional learning experiences. These are some of the processes we have in place to encourage lifelong learning.
Engaging in the school created RISE program
Each term, all of our teachers engage in the RISE program (Record, Immerse, Self-reflect, Evaluate), where they partner with a buddy teacher to reflect and set goals. The buddy watches a video of the teacher to identify strengths and some goals to work on.
Collaborating Together
Teachers each have an online learning journal, where they write key things they have learnt from professional learning. This is shared with other teachers, so they can all learn from each others’ experiences and training.
Personalised Learning
Teachers have the opportunity to personalise their professional learning to satisfy their students’ need, for example if there is a child with specific learning needs in their class, they can choose to attend a suitable course to develop skills in the required area.