Collaboration

Over the past 7 weeks, we have been sharing the stories of each of the winners of the Teacher Awards 2023. In the final article we speak to Debbie Watts and Bronwyn Cole from Broadwater Public School, whose entire school community was named winner of the Special Contribution Award for 2023.

Research shows that high quality teaching and leadership teams regularly share their skills, knowledge, expertise and best practice. In our latest expert Q&A we talk to Pru Mitchell – Manager of Information Services at the Australian Council for Educational Research – about the different ways to share and tips for getting started.

In today’s article, we speak with the winners of the Teacher Awards 2023 in the Excellence in Staff Collaboration category. Bernadette Hawker and Brett Hallett from Goondiwindi State High School in Queensland share how staff work collaboratively across faculty areas to improve student writing outcomes in all year levels and subject areas.

New research from the United States involving mathematics teacher teams in 4 schools – across a period of 4 years – investigated specific strategies that support a collaborative approach to coaching in schools that are under significant pressure to improve. Find out more in today’s article.

‘My experience as a teacher and researcher in Japan has allowed me to observe and study classrooms in depth. The first thing that caught my attention was the use of chalkboards.’ Dr Shirley Tan shares how the traditional Japanese technique of bansho board writing can enhance teaching and learning in your own classroom.

‘In my work supporting mathematics teachers’ planning, I am often told “I just wish we had more time!” That is, more time to understand the concepts, reflect on assessment data, source high-quality tasks, and discuss strategies for supporting diverse learners.’ Dr Aylie Davidson shares 5 tips that her research has shown can help ensure teaching teams stay maths-focused when planning.

In his Teacher article Establishing Professional Learning Communities that work, Melbourne principal Dr Lars Andersson shared details of the planning and preparation phase at Richmond High School. In this follow-up, he discusses the implementation experience and the impact on practice and student outcomes.

In our latest reader submission, Dr Lars Andersson ­– Principal of Richmond High School in Melbourne – shares how his school has worked to establish effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). In this first article, he explains the thinking behind introducing the PLCs, and the planning and training phase.

‘Schools everywhere face ongoing challenges in better preparing young people for their future and ensuring that every student learns successfully and meets high expectations.’ Professor Geoff Masters AO argues addressing these challenges will require fundamental reform of the framework within which schools operate.

How does the physical environment at your school impact the way you approach teaching and learning? In today’s article, we hear about Stonefields Primary School’s emphasis on vision and pedagogical alignment, the development of enabling architecture, impactful staff collaboration, and maintaining the learner at the centre of decision-making.