As part of Sydney Catholic Schools, we employ highly qualified and competent teachers who are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). To continuously improve our practice, teachers also work towards the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, from proficient teacher to lead teacher level.
The delivery of quality curriculum, pedagogy (teaching methods) and assessment is ensured by our system of schools through the provision of contemporary NESA accredited professional learning in a range of modes. Our Centres of Excellence offer online learning and external face-to-face courses, and timely, collaborative and relevant in-situ learning take place within the context of each classroom. Sydney Catholic Schools’ teachers are strongly committed to their ongoing learning, with many having completed, or are currently undertaking, postgraduate studies in areas related to curriculum, student wellbeing, special education, theology, pastoral care and leadership.
St Francis of Assisi Regional Catholic Primary School Paddington’s Professional Learning Plan supports the strategic direction of the school’s Annual Improvement Plan, underpinned by the school’s vision for learning and key pedagogical principles of Growth mindset, Innovative, Empowered and Interconnected. Collaborative structures provide opportunities that foster professional growth among our teachers to build their capacity using goal setting, teacher observation and feedback cycles.
Professional learning, staff meetings, stage meetings and staff professional development days are strategically planned with a specific focus and are timetabled regularly.
Teachers document their professional development through a Performance Growth in Action Plan (PGiA). PGiA is a framework for self-directed professionals to be accountable for their performance and direct their professional growth. It brings coherence across activities and promotes reflection on performance, feedback from peers who will challenge you and continual improvement.