The Professional Learning Program at Williamstown High School (WHS) aims to provide opportunities for all staff to seek continuous improvement in their learning and teaching. A range of Professional Learning activities are available to staff that are complementary and seek to address the needs of individuals and teams whilst taking into account whole school priorities and Victorian Institute of Teaching requirements.
Student Agency and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are currently front and centre as the main drivers of improving practice at WHS. For this reason, internal Professional Development at WHS is dedicated on these 2 areas as frequently as possible. 2019 will see a focus on Professional Development around working effectively in PLCs , and upskilling staff in this area. This will complement the Professional Development that has already occurred in the area of Student Agency throughout 2018. Together, these 2 items are the key drivers to improved student outcomes for all students at WHS.
International research into the impact of professional learning activities on classroom practice, and therefore student outcomes, clearly shows that Professional Learning is most effective when it is relevant, collaborative and future-focused, and when it supports teachers to reflect on, question and consciously improve their practice.
The diagram below is one way of representing the wide range of Professional Learning activities undertaken by teachers at WHS.
Simon Thorley
Professional Learning Leader