Professional Growth Cycle

20th May 2025

Staff Meeting – Sprints

In our team, we have been focusing on St Joseph's School Pedagogy and Practice, particularly through the lens of the Science of Learning.

Our team consists of myself, Tiana, Flerinda, Robin, and Jenni. Jenni and I share a similar goal for this sprint, as we are both working with the junior classes—I'm teaching Year 1 and Jenni is with Year 2. Likewise, Flerinda and Tiana have been collaborating closely on their goals.

During our team meetings, Jenni and I have reflected on the need to make our learning intentions more explicit for our students. We believe it’s important that children clearly understand what they are expected to learn in each lesson. We’ve also discussed the importance of making prior learning more accessible so students can independently refer back to it for support.

To achieve this, we will begin implementing anchor charts, modelling books, classroom displays, and structured follow-up learning tasks. This approach will be a key focus starting in Week 5 of Term 2.

Date: 28th April 2025

 Readings and keeping up to date with the changes in Education.

This reading by Sarah Schwartz that we looked at in our staff meeting on the 28th April 2025 connected with one of PLD on structured literacy. 

As a teacher, I can see how this article really connects with the principles of Structured Literacy we use here in New Zealand. It’s a great reminder that reading instruction is about more than just phonics. While phonics is crucial for early decoding, we can’t forget the importance of vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Structured Literacy supports this balanced approach, making sure we're teaching kids in a clear, step-by-step way that includes all the components they need to become strong, confident readers. For us in New Zealand, it’s also about being culturally responsive and considering the diverse backgrounds of our students. This holistic approach ensures that we're meeting the needs of every learner, whether they're just starting out or building on their skills.