News Blog

Education Leaders Experience Innovative Teaching and Learning

August 21, 2024

MEDIA RELEASE
AUG 2024

Education Leaders Experience Innovative Teaching and Learning

An intensive three-day immersion program in the Diocese of Broken Bay has provided National and State education leaders the opportunity to see first-hand innovative developments in student teaching and learning.

Hosted by Catholic Schools Broken Bay, the program included visits to classrooms in schools on the Northern Beaches, North Shore and the Central Coast by the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), Catholic Schools New South Wales (CSNSW), as well as Directors of Schools outside the Diocese of Broken Bay.

“We had the very welcome opportunity to see CSBB’s vision for an authentic Catholic education, forged through purposeful strategic goals,” Chief Executive Officer of CSNSW, Dallas McInnerney said.

“These occasions allow colleagues in the mission of Catholic education across the state to share perspectives in areas such as professional development and religious instruction. We left Broken Bay with many new ideas and hope for the future.”

Director of CSBB, Danny Casey, outlined to the group the pedagogical framework and practices informed by teacher knowledge which is driving explicit teaching, questioning and communicating and assessing, monitoring and providing feedback.

“Delivering enhanced student outcomes occurs in the classroom not the board room,” Danny Casey said.

“Front line leaders and their staff are critical to the design and delivery of our goals. Student impact must be at the centre of decision making with a relentless focus on learning.

“Through our collaborative coaching framework, we aim to improve every student’s learning by building the capacity of the teacher. This committed leadership, shared vision and understanding, and data informed initiatives are driving our progress.”

NCEC Executive Director, Jacinta Collins, CSNSW Board members and Directors of Schools from the Dioceses of Lismore, Parramatta, Wilcannia Forbes, Wagga Wagga, Maitland-Newcastle, Bathurst, Wollongong and Armidale also experienced the teaching and learning presentations.

“A highlight for me was the classroom observation of the K-2 Religious Education program,” Dallas McInerney said.

“It was very affirming to witness children engage in the lesson knowing this is a strategic focus of Bishop Anthony Randazzo and CSBB.”

According to Danny Casey, the Learning Improvement Program has not only ensured a systematic delivery of Curriculum, strengthened a Catholic Culture, and encouraged teacher expertise and leadership,
It has enhanced relationships between Parish, School and community.

“Our vision is empowering. There is a specific purpose and we know exactly where we are going. It is an exciting time,” he said.

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Director of Schools Danny Casey Presentation CSNSW and Diocesan Directors
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Dinner Held for CSNSW and Diocesan Directors alongside CSBB staff and Executive Leadership
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Mackillop Catholic College Visit with Dallas McInerney CEO CSNSW
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MacKillop Catholic College Religious Education Class
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St Peter's Catholic College, Tuggerah
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St Peter's Catholic College Principal Welcome CSNSW and Diocesan Directores
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St Peter's Catholic College Chapel with CSNSW and Diocesan Directors
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Religious Education Class at Our Lady of Good Counsel Forestville with CSNSW and Diocesan Directors
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Mater Maria Catholic College Visit
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Site Visit New Eileen Oconnor Catholic School Tuggerah
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Manly with CSNSW and Diocesan Directors alongside CSBB Staff

ENDS
For information regarding this release contact:
Katrina Lee 0403 950 652
Email: Katrina.Lee@bbcatholic.org.au

General Information
At Catholic Schools Broken Bay, our vision is to provide ‘authentic, professional Catholic education, delivered with care and compassion’. The vision is underpinned by our exciting and robust Towards 2025 Strategy which places students at the centre of everything we do, and which brings schools and Parishes together to work as one. The Towards 2025 Strategy commits our system of schools to being at least as good as the very best, to maximise the learning growth of every student, and to inspire hearts and minds to know Christ and love learning. Covering an expansive geographical area which includes the Central Coast and Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore, Catholic Schools Broken Bay is a system serving 45 Catholic Schools with nearly 18,000 students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Further information on Towards 2025 is available at the CSBB website
Our Strategy – Towards 2025 – Catholic Schools (csbb.catholic.edu.au)