Enhancing education in Scone was on the top of the list this week when the Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli paid a visit to Scone Public School.
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The minister was joined by Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen and the NSW Public Schools director Mark Young at the school to meet with students and teachers who are reaping the benefits of the $224 million Quality Teaching, Successful Students (QTSS) package.
Mr Piccoli was travelling through after opening a new school in Tamworth and stopped off for his first visit, presenting the school captains Georgia Stafford and Oscar Richardson with some books for the school library.
Scone Public is one of various schools taking part in the new program after it was rolled out last term.
Scone Public School relieving principal Deborah Fisher said she was pleased to welcome the minister to the school as it was a very big occasion for the students and staff.
Ms Fisher said some of the teachers involved in the program had the chance to provide feedback to Mr Piccoli.
She said the program was all about building the teachers’ capacity to work collaboratively together, creating units of work together, and analysing data and giving each other feedback to enhance the learning of the students.
“We have groups of three teachers who work together and sit in on each other’s classes to code their teaching against best practices and provide feedback.
“Teachers also meet together as stages to plan work and data days to analyse the students’ results and collaborate to improve these results,” she said.
Mr Piccoli said it is great to see Scone Public School and others using this initiative to improve the skills of teachers and, in turn, improve learning opportunities for students.
“The package enables us to make the most of the knowledge and skills of experienced teachers by ensuring that expertise is shared with their colleagues,” he said.
“The package enables outstanding teachers to observe colleagues in the classroom and to demonstrate effective teaching strategies, monitor student performance to ensure teachers are focused on areas of need, and collaborate with colleagues within their school and in other schools.”