Important change to the 2025 Professional Learning time
2025 Staff Professional Learning Program
At St Ursula’s, we are proud to continue our highly successful Staff Professional Learning Program in 2025. This initiative is a cornerstone of our commitment to ensuring our staff are equipped with the latest strategies to enhance student learning outcomes.
In 2024, this program took place on Monday afternoons. For 2025, the Professional Learning time will move to Wednesday afternoons, beginning on Wednesday, 12 February. It will take place on Day 8 of the timetable from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and will continue fortnightly from that date. This adjustment allows staff to continue to engage in collaborative, evidence-based practices that directly enhance teaching and learning across the College.
To facilitate this, students will be dismissed from school at 2:00 pm each Wednesday, Day 8.
Important Information for Parents and Caregivers
- Regular school buses will arrive at school from 2:00 pm to transport students home.
- Parents who normally pick up their child from school are reminded to collect their child earlier to accommodate the early dismissal.
- Supervision will be available until 3:00 pm for students who cannot be picked up at the earlier time.
Focus for 2025: Numeracy and Reading Improvement
The 2025 Staff Professional Learning Program will focus on improving numeracy and reading performance, aligning with growth areas identified through the analysis of NAPLAN and Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) data.
A key aspect of this program is harnessing the expertise of our Mathematics Department. Mathematics staff will coach colleagues across all Key Learning Areas (KLAs) to develop and implement highly effective numeracy strategies, grounded in best practice, to ensure consistency and quality in teaching.
Additionally, staff will explore reading and comprehension strategies aimed at enhancing students’ ability to read for deeper meaning, fostering critical thinking and interpretive skills. Both areas will involve a sustained inquiry process, where staff will:
- Develop and implement targeted strategies,
- Monitor progress,
- Reflect on their impact, and
- Adjust practices to better meet student needs.
Community Support for Professional Learning
The continuation of the Staff Professional Learning Program has received overwhelming support from our parent community. At our recent SUPA Parent Association Meeting, the program’s goals and structure for 2025 were outlined, and a Term 3 preference survey confirmed strong parental support for this important initiative.
We look forward to another successful year of professional learning in 2025, as we work together to empower our staff and support our students in achieving their full potential. Thank you for your ongoing support in creating a vibrant and engaged learning community.
