Deputy Principal (Andrew Healey)
Classroom Observations
We know that teachers grow their professional practice and generate improved student outcomes when they teach in a school where there are clear expectations of the teachers in terms of the quality of their practice; where teachers receive feedback about their classroom performance based on evidence; and where there is professional support available in those areas of teacher need. As part of this support, at the SDD last week saw Cathy Watson provide a wonderful and engaging refresher to teachers on the Shared Instructional Framework with some clear CMS on display as well. Further whole school refreshers will occur throughout the year.
All teachers are required to participate in classroom observations once per semester. This is indicated in our PM process and there is a mechanism in our PM booklet acknowledging that teachers have participated in classroom observations. Note: there is no requirement to share what has been the agreed to focus of the classroom observation to any person other than the person observing you. In the PM booklet there are two options for classroom observations:
- By the line manager
- By a peer
Reference to ‘by a peer’ can be:
- Peer Teachers; within your LA or outside the LA
- Coffee Club Members
- Video Recordings; where teachers consent to the making of a classroom observation video they should specify the purpose for which the video is to be used. The video should be destroyed once it has served that purpose.
- EA’s
- Admin Team (unless as Line Manager).
Last year I have been invited to conduct classroom observations for teachers. We sat together to determine the goal of the observation, and what data is to be collected, then had a debrief. On two occasions I only visited the class for no longer than 15 minutes as the focus on my observation was one specific aspect of the lesson.
The Coffee Club will still be an integral mechanism to encourage staff to participate in classroom observations through peer support. This is another supportive environment within this school for staff to be involved.
The Term of Tests
Term 2 is a busy term in the sense we have Yr12 EST, NAPLAN and senior school examinations. The examination timetable has been shown to PCs for feedback and will be distributed to students very soon. Examinations requiring editing/typing should be presented to the Front Office asap with photocopying starting next Wednesday for all examinations.