Peel High is one of only a handful of schools across the state trialing a new teaching method and after just four weeks both teachers and students agree that it is “incredibly effective.”
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The Schools of The Future program is a State Government initiative which sees class rooms of 60 children taught simultaneously by three teachers in a much larger and highly adaptable class space.
Principal Rod Jones said the program has had a really positive reaction from both teachers and students.
“We have found it very productive in the classrooms – It is something new and different and it is going really well at this stage,” he said.
Only the year seven students are taking part in the program, although Mr Jones plans on incorporating year eight next year, and year nine in 2020.
Head Teacher of the program Helen Herdegen said one of the key benefits was the collaboration it allowed between the three teachers to deliver the curriculum, while behavioural problems within the classrooms have significantly diminished as well.
“The teacher collaboration has led to much greater levels of engagement from the students, and the improved structure has meant students feel a lot more comfortable to engage within the class,” she said.
Year seven student Oliver Smith wasn’t sure what to make of the new program after leaving his traditional classroom at Westdale Public.
“I knew it was going to be a bit different, but it has been really good,” he said.
“Because of the bigger classrooms I have been able to learn more with friends, and make new friends that I otherwise might not have met or talked to.”
“Having three teachers is good to, because if one is busy another one can help you out.”
Head teacher of Teaching and Learning Chris Keenan thought that “continuity of teaching” is the most positive aspect to come out of the first four weeks of the program.
“The collaborative approach also has major benefits to the teachers and the teaching,” he said.
“We can mix experienced teachers with the freshness of young new teachers in the one class room. It has been really positive and is really effective at engaging all the different kids.
“It is fantastic to see that kids are not getting overlooked, and are getting the attention that they deserve.
“We have a lot more flexibility to deliver different kinds of teaching, and cater to different environments for different students.”
The Schools of The Future program will be one of the topics explored at Peel High’s Open Day, next Saturday March 3.
All year five and six students are invited to attend from 9.30am until midday.
Deputy principal Kristen Miller said that while there will be information on the day about the selective classes, all students are welcome to come and have a look at what Peel can offer.
“We will have a full tour of the school, they will get to meet teachers and listen to some current students talk about their high school experiences,” she said.
