St. Angela's Primary School

School context

St. Angela's is a Catholic Primary School located in Castle Hill, Sydney. St Angela's commenced in 2001 with 70 students. In 2006 there are 504 students from K-6. Learning and teaching is organised in a variety of ways to best meet the needs of the students. Classes are of mixed ability with ability groupings for literacy across the grades in Early Stage1 and Stage1.

New scheme teachers are supported by a supervisor and a comprehensive supervision process is undertaken including classroom visits, reflective conversations about observed teaching practice, assistance with programming, and report writing. Other support includes mentoring by a teacher colleague, beginning teacher in-service days and weekly release time for programming, planning and observing other teachers.

Project outline

A study team approach was undertaken, involving one beginning teacher, four early career teachers and two experienced teachers. Lesson Study, a professional learning support strategy was implemented. ( for information on lesson study link to newsletter Issue 2)  School priorities of assessment of learning and integration of ICT in teaching and learning provided a focus for the Lesson Study. Student learning priorities for the Lesson Study Follow the links below to view information on Lesson Study..
Reading Lesson study as a framework for professional learning: A Discussion paper
Interview with new scheme teachers at St Angela's using a lesson study approach were linked to the school's Learning Platform, which includes a commitment to catering for students' individual differences and to developing cooperative learning practices. (link to action plan)

Collegial team approach

The Lesson Study approach to collegial learning is one way to involve new scheme teachers and experienced teachers in professional development.

The new scheme teachers are supported by their peer teachers and more experienced teachers in discussing, planning, implementing and reflecting on teaching practices in the context of the school-based learning programs. Determining the focus for the Lesson Study provides an opportunity to explore the students' learning needs and the new scheme teacher's professional learning needs in relation to the Teaching Standards and the school's professional development focus. Follow this link to view St. Angela’s Action Plan

Project outcomes

Project outcomes include:

• teachers take an active and effective role in their professional development
• new scheme teachers are more confident in talking about their own support needs and are more willing to sharing their ideas and knowledge with other teachers
• greater input by new scheme teachers into  professional support processes relevant them
• development of professional learning resources Select the Resources link on the left of your screen
  to locate artefacts from St. Angela's Primary School