{"id":46170,"date":"2026-06-26T12:02:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=46170"},"modified":"2026-06-26T12:02:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:02:42","slug":"a-growing-partnership-with-queen-salote-college-tonga","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/a-growing-partnership-with-queen-salote-college-tonga\/","title":{"rendered":"A Growing Partnership with Queen Salote College, Tonga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this term, I had the privilege of spending ten days at Queen Salote College (QSC) in Tonga, accompanied by Noha Walker,<\/strong> our EAL\/D Specialist Teacher, and the recent recipient of the Jeanette Loy Fellowship. This fellowship honours the legacy of Jeanette Loy, a former MLC School staff member and Headmistress of Queen Salote College and supports educational exchange and professional learning between our two schools. Together, we continued to strengthen the partnership between MLC School and Queen Salote College, one built on shared values, deep connections, and a commitment to learning from and with one another.<\/p>\n

A key focus of the visit was working alongside QSC teachers through a series of professional learning sessions and in-class collaboration. Together, we explored approaches to teaching and learning that support student understanding and engagement, including explicit teaching strategies, the use of learning intentions and success criteria, and approaches to high-quality assessment. These sessions were not simply about sharing practice, but about working together to adapt ideas to the QSC context and to learn from one another.<\/p>\n

One of the most powerful aspects of this partnership continues to be its reciprocal nature. While MLC School teachers contribute their expertise in curriculum and pedagogy, we also gain so much from our colleagues in Tonga, their deep sense of community, cultural knowledge, and commitment to their students. This exchange strengthens both schools, enriching our professional practice and broadening our perspectives as educators.<\/p>\n

In QSC classrooms, this collaboration came to life through co-teaching, where teachers worked side by side to model learning, guide students, and build confidence. These shared experiences are helping to develop sustainable teaching practices that will continue to grow long after each visit.<\/p>\n

MLC School is delighted to celebrate a significant milestone in this journey: Queen Salote College has now achieved NESA recognition for their Year 7 and Year 8 programs aligned to the NSW curriculum.<\/p>\n

This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the QSC staff and is a testament to the strength of the collaboration between our schools. It represents an important step forward in expanding educational opportunities for students at QSC and supports their pathway towards future learning.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the partnership continues to evolve. Future professional learning will focus on areas such as literacy across the curriculum and peer observation practices, further strengthening teaching and learning in both contexts. We are also excited about the potential for deeper connections between our students and staff, with reciprocal visits, shared experiences, and ongoing collaboration forming the foundation of this work.<\/p>\n

At its heart, this partnership is about connection, between people, cultures, and ideas, and about the shared belief that education can open doors and create opportunity. We are incredibly grateful to our colleagues at Queen Salote College for their generosity, their commitment, and their partnership, and we look forward to the next stage of this journey together.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cathryn Moore<\/strong><\/em><\/a>
\nStrategic Projects Leader<\/p>\n