A Purposeful Start: Staff Days Set the Tone for Term 1
The way a school begins the year sends a powerful signal about what it values. Purposeful, well-balanced professional learning at the outset creates clarity, momentum and shared direction for both staff and students.
Over three dedicated days last week, staff engaged in a carefully structured program that balanced three essential elements:
- School-wide learning, aligned with strategic priorities, wellbeing, pedagogy and regulatory requirements
- Faculty-led collaboration, supporting deep engagement with curriculum, assessment and discipline-specific practice
- Individual professional time, allowing for preparation, reflection and intentional growth.
The program opened with a keynote address by Vince Ford that set a positive and purposeful tone for the year ahead, which was followed by a hands-on baking session in the Hospitality Centre, fostering connection and teamwork.
Dedicated time was then provided for staff planning and classroom setup, ensuring learning spaces were ready to welcome students. Across the week, Junior School Staff also engaged in a workshop led by Lana Fleiszig, alongside Mind Body Boost wellness sessions focused on staff wellbeing.
When professional learning is deliberately designed, carefully sequenced and grounded in respect for teachers’ time, it becomes a catalyst for sustained improvement – enhancing teaching practice, strengthening culture and, most importantly, improving outcomes for every student.
