Director of Learning and Teaching

Ms Melissa Williams

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” (Benjamin Franklin)

In Term 2, the staff continued to focus on incorporating the high impact strategies of daily, weekly and monthly review into the structure of their lessons. As is evident in the quote above, providing regular opportunities for students to engage with previously learnt material is integral to learning. Creating daily, weekly, and monthly review activities is crucial for reinforcing learning, developing fluency, reducing cognitive load and fostering deeper understanding among students. 

Daily reviews help solidify newly acquired knowledge and skills by revisiting key concepts immediately after they are introduced. This regular reinforcement prevents information from fading from memory and allows students to build upon what they have learned, promoting retention and mastery. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to gauge comprehension and identify any areas where students may need additional support.

Weekly reviews serve to consolidate learning over a longer period, connecting related topics and reinforcing the relationships between them. By revisiting material from the past week, teachers can help students see the bigger picture and understand how different concepts interconnect. This holistic approach not only enhances understanding but also encourages critical thinking and application of knowledge in various contexts. Moreover, weekly reviews provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their progress and identify areas where they may need to focus more attention.

Monthly reviews offer a chance to synthesize learning over a more extended timeframe, reinforcing fundamental concepts and addressing any lingering misunderstandings or gaps in knowledge. These reviews help students retain information in long-term memory by revisiting it periodically and connecting it to prior and future learning. They also allow teachers to assess cumulative progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed to support individual student needs. By incorporating regular review activities at different intervals, teachers can create a scaffolded learning environment that promotes continuous improvement and academic success for all students.

It has been wonderful to see the inclusion of a range of review strategies being developed and implemented across the College. Whilst the staff have been engaged in ongoing professional learning which has fostered collaboration and sharing of ideas, the boys have benefited from the consistent approach to lessons and the building of their capacity as active learners.