08 AUG 2023 From the Deputy Principal: Staff

Staff Professional Learning Day

What a fantastic day of learning on August 11! While students took a short break from classes, the Kolbe staff had the opportunity to participate in some engaging and targeted professional learning of their own.

Our teaching staff participated in learning sessions and workshops that invited them to consider how they can measure their impact on students’ learning. Making use of a variety of tools including Kolbe’s own industry-leading student learning data platform, teachers explored and identified ways to assess students’ learning and use that knowledge to shape the ‘next steps’ for each of their students.

Our Administration team spent some time in a Webinar about Developing Resilience to Workplace Stress and some engaging team-building activities to foster their wellbeing. This was a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the quiet, essential and often challenging work our administration team do in meeting the needs of parents, students and staff.

Finally, our Learning Support Officers, Multicultural Educational Assistants and Tutors spent their day exploring strategies to encourage and engage Reluctant Learners; building their toolkit of strategies to assist students with learning challenges and to build the confidence of the students with whom they work.

Kolbe’s newest recruits

This term we were delighted to add a new member to our Reception & Student Services Team: Ms Shona Brooks commenced at the College overseeing Operoo and College Bus Services along with supporting Parents and Students with their inquiries. We know the Kolbe community will make Shona feel very welcome!

Early Career Teachers’ Meeting

It was a pleasure to attend our Early Career Teachers’ Meeting this week - our third for 2023 - and to chat to our 1st, 2nd and 3rd year teachers about their successes and challenges. With 4 new Early Career Teachers joining the group this term, it was a pleasure to see the exceptional way in which our young teachers nurture and encourage one another.

Having introduced the Early Career Teachers’ Meetings in the College in 2022, we have observed the huge impact of these sessions in building a supportive network for graduates and those in the first 3 years of teaching; they assist teachers who are starting out to talk openly about the common challenges, to share advice, and to recognise that they are not alone. For the leadership team who attend the meetings, the opportunity to hear the perspectives of Early Career Teachers and to be able to acknowledge and affirm their contributions has been invaluable. Thank you to all of our Early Career Teachers for your enthusiasm, energy and exceptional commitment to your students!

Recruitment for 2024

With the College’s student numbers continuing to grow, we are looking to expand our teaching staff for 2024 and currently have a number of Positions of Leadership advertised, as well as an Expression of Interest advertisement for teachers in all areas of the curriculum. If you, or someone you know, is a teacher interested in joining a supportive school community where everyone grows, employment opportunities at Kolbe are available on our website at: https://www.kolbecc.catholic.edu.au/about/employment-at-kolbe

Tracey Kift
Deputy Principal