Editor’s Note: Schools push for change on every level

Schools push for change on every level

Welcome to the Term Four issue of School News!

In our last issue of 2022, we take a look at some of the big shifts that schools are making post-pandemic. Among them, schools are working on building new pedagogical approaches to literacy education. We hear from some of the country’s leading literacy programs and experts this issue, who explain how educators are responding to the immense pressure placed on them to improve literacy outcomes by taking a more structured literacy approach. On page 14 we explore how schools can review their existing approach and implement crucial changes.

School News had the great pleasure this Term of welcoming Principal Marg Clark from Prospect North Primary School as our featured guest Principal Speaks columnist for the issue (page 6). Marg is highly esteemed for her advocacy and has won awards for her inspiring work championing the importance of student agency to pedagogy, which she discusses in her column: “I believe that innovation and Agency is key to giving students from complex backgrounds the tools they need to be successful learners.”

Rosie Clarke, Editor, SchoolNews editor@school-news.com.au

In our Profile this issue, Shannon Meyerkort explores how Making space for staff learning attracts, retains good teachers (page 10). Read about Marsden State High School’s award-winning professional learning program, and the insights it has gleaned for how best to attract and retain sta in low socioeconomic schools, featuring a delightful conversation with the school Principal, Kylie Steinhardt.

In this issue’s special report, Sarah Davison investigates the holistic benefits of intergenerational education for students (page 12), which schools are increasingly looking to develop with community as well as in-house programs since lockdowns highlighted the tragically high rates of loneliness among teenagers as well as elderly populations.

Elsewhere, we look at the exploding concerns around student vaping on campus and look at some of the technologies schools are now using to detect and deter on-site vaping (page 44). We look at innovative charging and technology storage available to schools (page 20), stunning alternatives to traditional bag storage (page 50), as well as the phenomenal industry-standard broadcasting equipment becoming popular with schools (page 28). In a fascinating case study on page 31 too, we find out how Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Primary School powerfully integrates digital technology into its pedagogy having been invited by BenQ to become its first Australian Junior Academy.

Got plans for your school in 2023? Write in and let us know so we can feature you!

The School News team acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands upon which we gather, work, and publish. We want to pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, who continue cultural, educational, and spiritual connections to Country.