Reader Submission

The Connection is a network of high-performing school leaders working in some of Australia’s most challenged communities. They’ve been reflecting on successful practices in their own schools since the start of the pandemic. Today’s article shares their top five recommendations for learning through COVID.

‘Educators employ a range of strategies to manage student wellbeing, but the impact of COVID-19 on their approach to this is not yet fully understood.’ Dr Bridianne O’Dea – Senior Research Fellow in youth mental health at the Black Dog Institute – shares the findings of a recent investigation into secondary school educators’ approaches to student mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown.

For students who are unable to attend normal classes in school, a telepresence robot represents a very real solution to a very difficult situation and has the potential to transform their lives. Dr Susan O’Donnell and Adrian Rayner explain more, and share comments from teachers and students who’ve been using the technology.

Several states have banned financial institutions from delivering banking and branded education programs in schools, paving the way for school-led programs free from commercial interests. In today’s reader submission Carly Sawatzki, Jill Brown, and Peter Saffin outline some guiding criteria to help schools consider ways to strengthen their financial education programs.

In a recent Teacher article, Ben Sacco from the MacKillop Institute discussed three elements that can directly support schools to improve teaching, learning and wellbeing – safety, relational trust, and shared language. In this follow-up, Sacco, and St Pius X Deputy Principal Stacey Atkins and Principal Joe Ewing share how the Catholic primary school has been putting these elements into action.

‘Last year offered school leadership teams, amongst other things, the chance to reflect on the hows and whys of education.’ Leon Furze, Director of Learning and Teaching, shares how the leadership team at Monivae College in regional Victoria has made significant changes to the Year 9-12 curriculum.

‘Health and Physical Education (HPE) is fundamental for supporting young people to develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to engage in lifelong health, movement and physical activity behaviours. Ensuring all young people have the opportunity to develop this knowledge is a crucial responsibility for all physical educators.’ Dr Laura Alfrey and Professor Ruth Jeanes share practical strategies for promoting inclusion in HPE.

As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and schools here in Australia and around the world return to on-site learning, teachers and students will need to reestablish face-to-face relationships and routines, take time to reflect on their home learning experiences and think about where to from here. Dr Gail Brown and Dr Carl Leonard offer some advice and questions for reflection in today’s reader submission.

‘Learning is complex – students need explicit and implicit knowledge, skills, and dispositions to succeed across the diverse and often crowded curriculum. But do our students actually know which learning strategies are the most effective?’ Today’s article shares details of the Learning to Learn program and Learner’s Toolkit at Goulburn Valley Grammar School.

In today’s article, Dr Erin Leif, Dr Laura Alfrey and Dr Christine Grove describe how teachers can integrate the Universal Design for Learning framework and High Impact Teaching Strategies in a complementary way in the classroom in order to teach more inclusively.