At some point along the way we seemed to forget that children and young people need a roadmap, to know what’s in and out, a set of rules they can fit in with, or reject. Covid remote learning didn’t help any of this, but there was still the gradual decline in clarity for students in the classroom about what to do and how to do it. Simple things like entering the classroom, exiting the classroom, answering questions, moving around, sharing ideas and participating in general.
When MPF became involved with Rosebud Secondary their leadership highlighted behaviour and literacy as the two key issues holding them back. A series of conversations and workshops led on both counts to engagement with the Perth based Knowledge Society and their work with schools.
As we learned more about their work, the issues and the evidence and research it became clear that the shift to the science of learning that was being undertake by the primary schools as a result of No Limits was also what was needed in the secondary schools.
Despite the craziness of the end of the year, there were full staff turn outs at the recent Knowledge Society workshops with Dr Tim McDonald as he walked through the philosophy, research and evidence and practice of teaching behaviours through a science of learning approach.
The school leadership is very encouraged and excited as this work in the last week of school has set the scene for a sharp and precise beginning to the new year that will focus on establishing behaviours that everyone understands and adheres to.
Excitingly they are also tackling literacy with a determination to get all students as close to level as they can as the year progresses, rather than powering through the curriculum and leaving many behind.