Teaching and learning at Hilliard SS is a dynamic process that involves numerous stakeholders including teachers, students, parents, and the school community. It is an activity that involves the transfer of knowledge, skills, and values from the teacher to students in a structured and organised manner. The teaching and learning process is a fundamental part of the school curriculum and it plays a key role in shaping the intellectual and social development of all students. Effective teaching and learning practices encourage active participation, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. It is important to create a supportive learning environment that motivates and engages students to achieve their full potential.
The teachers at Hilliard SS use the Australian Curriculum and access C2C as a curriculum delivery resource for the teaching and learning. Classroom teachers meet weekly within Professional Learning Teams to collaborate, plan, analyse, share and moderate learning experiences. Teachers plan teaching and learning with the Hilliard SS Planning Template to consider and incorporate HITS (High Impact Teaching Strategies), Age Appropriate Pedagogies, SAMR Model and the Gradual Release of Responsibility where appropriate.
Clarity - Schoolwide Focus
Since the beginnning of 2021, Hilliard SS staff have been involved in the South East Region Learning Leading Collaborative which works with the evidence based work of Lyn Sharratt's "Clarity" and the 14 Parameters of System and School Improvement.
Within this Clarity framework Hilliard SS teachers have been developing their skills in the following areas:
- Unpacking the 14 Parameters
- Using Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
- Using and co-creating "Bump it Up Walls" for students track and improve their learning
- Using and co-creating "Learning Walls" in classrooms and in a digital format to share learning examples
- Student case management
Teachers have collaborated to develop a Third Teacher at Hilliard Practices Model which offers digital and non-digital options to support student learning.
HIP - Hilliard iPad Program - Teaching and Learning
The use of ICT, in particular iPads, plays an important part in successful teaching and learning at Hilliard State School. Visit our HIP@HilliardSS page to learn more.
The Teaching and Learning Placemat (link below) assists teachers with a starting point when beginning their BYO iPad journey and for those continuing their's. This document is updated yearly to reflect the evolution of the school's iPad teaching and learning priorities.
This document outlines:
- Where to begin? Organisation
- Curriculum Delivery and Innovation
- Suggested ways to use creative content apps and consume apps
- Other processes
Hilliard iPad Program - Teaching and Learning Placemat
To view highlights of Teaching and Learning within the HIlliard iPad Program click on this TEACHING AND LEARNING LINK.
The SAMR Model used as a part of the Hilliard Planning Template is essentially a planning tool that helps to design better learning activities for students. The framework provides pedagogical guidelines for teachers about how they can use technology in their lessons.
The SAMR Model is explained as:
SUBSTITUTION – Technology acts as a direct tool substitute. For example, using the app Notes to record writing.
AUGMENTATION – Technology still acts as a direct tool substitute, but with functional improvements. For example, using the app Notes to Scan a document.
MODIFICATION – By this stage technology not only enhances the learning activity, it also significanly transforms it. For example, using the collabration tool to share their work with others on Keynote.
REDEFINITION – This level requires the teacher to think about learning activities that were previously inconceivable without the use of technology. For example, using the data within Numbers to create an interactive presentation.
STEM
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The teaching of STEM allows students to develop their skills in preparation for the 21st Century. At Hilliard SS there is a STEM teacher who works with all students and delivers Technologies and Media Arts Curriculum with a focus on using Apple apps for collaboration, creativity and connectedness.
To view highlights from our STEM program click on this STEM LINK.
Coding and Robotics
Coding and Robotics is a popular club open to all year levels. In this club time students have the opportunity to engage with Lego EV3 robots, Lego WeDo, Dash, and Sphero. Students use this time to engage with Lego EV3 robots for future interschool and state competiitions.
Students can bring their own iPad to the Coding Club to explore using, building and solving challenges within the apps Scratch Jnr, Tynker and Hopscotch.
Coding and Robotics is also used within the classroom as a part of STEM lessons and everyday classes to demonstrate problem solving, metacognition, collaboration, innovation and connectedness to the real world. Students are encouraged to work individually, in pairs or groups according to their learning preferences.
Hilliard is excited to be building their knowledge within the app Swift as inspired through recent Apple PD with teachers!
The Teaching of Phonics across the School
In 2022 Hilliard SS engaged in the implementation of the Read, Write, Inc Program and Freshstart Program which provides a structured and systemic approach to the teaching of literacy. These programs are a research proven synthetic approach to the teaching of phonics.
Why is Phonics important?
The English written language is an alphabetic code. Letters (graphemes) are symbols that represent the individual sounds (phonemes) of spoken language. Phonics is understanding the relationship between the sounds and the letter/s that represent them.
There are a number of different approaches to teaching phonics, all with varying levels of effectiveness. The evidence is clear, however, that systematic, synthetic phonics is the most effective approach.
The Read, Write, Inc Program is:
- A learn-to-read program for students 5-9 years
- Differentiated according to student needs, targeting teaching to the point of their need
- Intergrated comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting
- A program full of decodable reading books for school and home
- Taught for one hour 5 times a week for Prep to Year 2
The Freshstart Program is:
- High quality, phonics based intervention for identified students in Years 3 to 6
- Differentiated with age appropriate activities and readers
- Taught 5 times a week for identified students in Years 3 to 6
Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups for Years 4, 5 and 6 is unique to Hilliard SS and provides opportunities for students to have fun and engage with a diverse range of learning opportunites! Students in the mentioned year levels will choose a preference from the list of special interest groups listed below. Students are guaranteed one their preferences for the term. This is a fun opportunity for students to develop their skills in an interest area and support their wellbeing. Special Interest Groups happen on a Friday 12.40 till 1.20pm each week. It has been fantastic to see students and teachers in a range of year levels work together on their area of interest.
Hilliard is excited to offer the following SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS in Term 2, 2024:
Fairy Gardens Mrs Castley 4GC Classroom Design and create mini magical landscapes using miniature ornaments and self created objects. Place them in selected lower, middle and upper school garden areas. | Crossfit/Fitness Mrs Micallef Conference Room Build your fitness by participating in a range of Crossfit/Fitness activities. | Bush Play Mrs Witham Environmental Area Play creatively in the bush! You can build structures, explore or even just sit and enjoy the environment. | Origami Shaveta Brar 6B Classroom Come along and create wonderful creations while developing hand-eye co-ordination, sequencing skills, mathematical reasoning, memory, spatial awareness, attention and patience. |
Basketball Mrs Beath and Mr D Multi Purpose Courts Within small teams you will play basketball against other students across the grades. | Relay Running Mrs Mills Senior Oval Build your running skills by practicing within relays. Great for running training and developing your enthusiasm towards being active. | Table Tennis Mrs Crease Hall Come and 'try' to beat Mrs Crease at table tennis! She is a world champion! There will be a cup for the winner!!! | Coding (Hopscotch) Mrs Ng STEM Room. Become an IT genius and learn how to make a game in the app Hopscotch. |
Trivia Ms Brown 5B Classroom Test your knowledge and activate your brain! Students will work in small groups to answer trivia questions. A great way to have fun and learn new things. | Chess Mrs Clews Library Challenge yourself and others through playing chess. | Needlepoint Craft Mrs Lowry 6L Classroom Learn how to create artworks through sewing with a needle and wool. | Writing Extension Ms Johnston 4J Classroom Build and extend your writing skills to publish your very own story!
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