It has been yet another exciting fortnight. Both of our two classes are continuing to work on real life experiences to complete the content of their units of work as well as ongoing assessments. It is great to see most students applying consistent efforts to complete tasks to the required standard a number of times over a period of time to achieve the standards set out in units of competence. Well done to my teaching team for their continued hard work and commitment to our Centre. Together, we can certainly make a difference to our students and our community.
Last Friday, our students joined in on the “Walk Together Day, 2016”, in support of Darwin, our sister city to celebrate diversity in Australia. This walk was celebrated all around Australia on 22 October. We were honoured that Zoe Scrogings from the Dili/Darwin sister city committee shared video footage of our students doing the walk in Dili along with footage of similar activities from the other sister cities, at a reception in Darwin last Saturday. We look forward to our continued association with the Darwin/Dili sister city committee and activities. We hope that next year’s walk together here in Dili will be bigger and better.
Last week, I sought feedback from our staff in relation to the internal processes and program so far, as well as the program offered on the Darwin study tour. Regular feedback and reflection of our internal workings are particularly important in the light of John Hattie’s table of influences on student learning and achievement.
Two of the processes in place, the P&D one-on-one fortnightly meetings to discuss progress of personal and professional goals and the, weekly in-house professional learning sessions, have been well received and appreciated by the staff team. These two processes are working well and are impacting not only on our professional growth but on student outcomes.
For our continued focus, is ensuring adequate planning and reflection time is built into our school timetable that is commensurate of the demands of our two courses and number of students enrolled in the course. I am also planning to ensure that I am available and involved in the design of the units of work and particularly assessments, as well as being timetabled for regular teaching blocks in the two classes.
Maria Albion
Principal, SenaiNT