Deputy Principal (Andrew Healey)

Best Practice

Earlier in the year I made reference that some of the more older staff may know of a teacher/DP called Keith Marley from ASHS, NMSHS, Manea and District Office. These staff would remember him (he’s only just retired) as being a highly intelligent, astute and passionate teacher. During the time I have known Keith I have met some of his former students and the aspect I noticed most when talking to them is that they wanted to be taught by him. They stated they learnt so much in his classes and enjoyed learning.

There were two elements of teaching he was passionate about and constantly modelled, mentored and delivered in his classroom; high expectations and classroom observations. Keith and Mike have something similar, both studied/taught in Japan and bought ideas back here on classroom observation well before this became a departmental priority. The focus was Jugyou Kenkyu; simply put it is the study of a lesson.

Here at school, we also have brilliant advocates of classroom/peer observation to assist in the study of a lesson. Working collaboratively with peers provides us with opportunities for enriching classroom practices and improving teaching.

If you want assistance please see Cathy or have a chat with a colleague you feel comfortable working with. A starting point for peer observation is a recording of the first 15 minutes of a lesson; what is the routine?

Whilst for many participating in classroom observations may have been done already, growth as a teacher is forever. For Term 4, work with a colleague once more and focus on one aspect of your teaching that you believe could be improved.