Our Strategic Direction

Each week in the College Compass our strategic pillar leaders will provide an update on the Strategic Direction of the College. We also look forward to sharing the full strategic direction document with you in the coming months.

Our four pillars include:

Academic Intelligence – Knowledge for a better world
Emotional Intelligence – Empowered to be courageous
Digital Intelligence – Technologies for an innovative future
Social Intelligence – Diversity as the path to unity

This week Dr Sarah Loch and Mr Justin Raymond will discuss our Academic Intelligence – Knowledge for a better world strategic pillar.

Academic Intelligence – Knowledge for a better world

In this strategy update, we would like to share some insights into ways the Academic Intelligence pillar is coming to life through research, innovation and partnerships. Many initiatives are reaching students and teachers and, in the spirit of lifelong learning, you will see ways that students, parents, teachers and others in our community are learning together. As the Academic Intelligence pillar is based on cultivating a curiosity and hunger for learning, we hope readers are inspired by the initiatives, and excited by the opportunities for our students.

How is research helping Geography teachers to prepare students for their futures?

Mr Liam Hume, Celestino Project Lead and Geography Teacher, and Ms Deb Owens, Geography and Commerce Teacher, Geography, Business and Economics Department

We are leading an action research project involving Year 10 Elective Geography students and their parents, with support from Dr Susanne Pratt from the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney. The action research aims to inform adults (as teachers and parents) how we can best collaborate with young people to support the development of transdisciplinary (TD) skills.

Our research question is ‘How can student voice be amplified by Year 10 Elective Geography students so that they are future-ready?’ The purpose is to investigate ways in which Geography students can be empowered to identify and develop the transdisciplinary skills (character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking), which are fundamental for the pathway through tertiary education and/or the future workplace. Future work means preparing students for future careers that don’t exist yet, or skills which will enable students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The first part of the project involved a workshop with 20 Year 10 Elective Geography Students who volunteered to be part of the research project. The workshop involved students undertaking a condensed Design Thinking protocol which allowed them to consider ways the Geography team can develop students’ TD skills, so they are future-ready. Two more workshops will follow this term, as well as a parent survey.

Year 10 Elective Geography students participating in the first workshop of the action research project:

Our team will use the results to inform the planning and delivery of programs in Geography and in other subject areas in the College. A presentation will also be given at the Australian Geography Teachers Conference in Hobart on 29 September, with other presentations and publications to follow.

What works best in HSC teaching?

Mrs Melissa McMahon, Director of Teaching Excellence

This action research project seeks to investigate the teaching and learning strategies that work best for our Pymble girls. I am closely studying a group of our HSC teachers to ascertain key methodologies that have a significant impact on learning. I am observing, surveying, interviewing teachers and also seeking feedback from students.

The ultimate aim of the research is to guide professional learning for our teachers and deliver enhanced outcomes for students, with our talented pool of expert HSC teachers sharing their knowledge with colleagues.

Exploring options for an adventurous future

Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School

As you will read in Kate Brown’s, Head of Junior School, message this week our Junior School students commenced their future careers adventure with an event to open their minds to careers. You might like to know that the initiative was solely devised by our Junior School students, through their SRC Representatives.

The girls worked with Mrs Davey to organise the logistics and invite parents to set up stalls to promote their career area. The parents used artefacts and items to create a fabulous set of interactive displays that spanned the entire Library and John Reid Hall area. This incredible initiative sparked the girls’ curiosity about possible futures and helped them to see themselves in many possible roles.

Seeing yourself in a career in health

Mr Andrew Kozyra, Director of Futures and Partnerships

Pymble Ladies’ College and the Rural Doctor’s Network (RDN) recently held the second annual Careers Forum on the grounds of Pymble. The aim of the forum is to raise awareness of the opportunities in medicine, nursing, and health, and particularly in rural areas of NSW and Australia. This is an event which is open to other metropolitan schools, with a specific emphasis on schools with boarding communities.

Students attended lectures, a Q&A panel, expo style exhibits, interactive workshop style sessions, and generally learnt from recent graduates in the fields represented. Students have access to an event which challenges them to consider their post school options, to consider factors such as job shortages and industries displaying high levels of employability, and to develop the appropriate depth of understanding of a given industry rather than reactively choosing post school courses. Feedback from parents and students has indicated the inspiring talks and stories they engaged with during this forum. As an example, attendees commented on the passionate address given by The Hon. Bronnie Taylor, MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women.

The RDN Forum is a fantastic example of an open-ended learning experience for students that challenge perceptions, gives them the tools to take charge of their decision making, and to envision ways that they may be able to make a difference in the world beyond Pymble.

Search skills: EBSCO Discovery layer

Ms Tessa Zwar, Conde Library Team Lead

MultiSearch, the Conde Library’s new Discovery Layer was launched this week. A discovery layer is a tool that allows users to search multiple information sources at once., e.g. a library catalogue, databases, eBooks and online encyclopedias. Co-built with EBSCO Information Services, the Discovery Layer facilitates more academically rigorous researching for Secondary students and staff.

While time saving, this type of search also helps students tap into a wider range of relevant resources with a more academic lens. Students and staff can set up projects within MultiSearch to keep track of information more easily. This is especially beneficial for students conducting more extensive research and signature projects. Find out more about MultiSearch on the Conde Library homepage – explore the search function and check out the tips and tricks page.

Teaching teachers for the future

Ms Joanne Mitchell, Director of Teacher Growth

At Pymble, we appreciate that the real world school setting plays a vital role in supporting initial teacher education and our Pymble teachers contribute to the education and training of pre-service teachers through our professional experience program. Each year, we welcome pre-service teachers from a range of universities including Macquarie, Sydney, UTS, Curtin and the University of Queensland, amongst others, to work in classrooms across Years K to 12.

Through our Professional Experience Program, pre-service teachers get exposure to what the modern classroom looks like and feels like while learning from our best. The purpose of the program is to provide structured opportunities for the pre-service teachers to observe teachers at work in the classroom and to undertake in practice the work of teaching. Trainee teachers develop a coaching relationship with our highly experienced and skilled Pymble educators and engage in a period of observation, followed by opportunities to practise, demonstrate and understand the impact of their teaching skills. It is through the experience in the classroom, accompanied by rigorous feedback from the supervising teacher, that the trainee student teacher learns his or her craft.

Clara Lim is a Macquarie University student who has just completed her final practicum placement with Jennifer Kennedy in the Science Department. At the beginning of her placement, Clara’s personal goal was to build her confidence in the classroom and to do this she challenged herself to step out of her comfort zone and implement a range of strategies. Clara really enjoyed her working relationship with Jennifer, who she described as supportive; adding that Jennifer also challenged her to consider the quality of her practice. Now, Clara feels more prepared to take on a classroom of her own.

We also have two pre-service teachers joining the Science Department for the rest of this term. Christine Atsalis is working with Stephanie Attley and Brendan Liddle with Erica Lyons. Clara’s advice to Christine and Brendan this morning as they enjoyed recess together was to, “Make the most of your placement. You are here to get as much experience as you can”.

It is reassuring to know that our Pymble teachers and students are playing a leading role in providing the experience needed so that these graduates are ready to take on the changing face of education. Thank you to all Pymble teachers who willingly give their time outside of the classroom to invest in the education and training of the teachers of the future. Your work does make a difference!