Students at San Damiano College Yarrabilba are learning to be strong, critical thinkers, actively engaging in their own learning – and it’s having an impact on the whole school community.
Deputy Principal, Paul Mead said the school is involved in a University of Queensland and Brisbane Catholic Education Action Research Project using the ‘Teaching for Thinking' program and is seeing amazing results far beyond what was anticipated.
“We want our students to be reflective and collaborative and engage with their learning using learning dispositions. They should always cast a critical lens over the knowledge that is presented to them,” Paul said.
“The strategies we are implementing through the project guide our students to think critically about how they approach learning and how they interact with that learning.”
Five teacher leaders from different subject areas have been chosen to implement the strategies in pilot classes. These teachers will become staff mentors as the program is implemented across the school in 2025.
“We are seeing students who weren’t performing to their potential improve significantly, and those high achievers being challenged even further,” said Roshea Buksh, AP-Curriculum, Teaching and Learning.
Not only are academic results improving, but teachers are also seeing significant improvement in classroom behaviour, even beyond the pilot project.
“Through the research, students begin to understand that learning requires certain behaviours or interactions.
“The thinking routines encourage students to control, monitor, and regulate how they relate to others. From there, approaches to their learning are then applied to a specific discipline,” she said.
Peta McLachlan, Curriculum Leader, Humanities and Languages said they are seeing students self-regulate their behaviour and, in some circumstances, call out other students who are impacting their ability to learn.
“I am really thankful that I’m part of the project. Every student in my class has shown growth in some way, shape or form,” she said.
As San Damiano grows, the outcomes of the project are helping to foster a culture of engaged, critical thinking learners built on respectful relationships.
San Damiano is one of four Education Strategy pilot schools partnering with The University of Queensland working on projects related to the UQ Teaching for Thinking pedagogy – including Our Lady Help of Christians Hendra, Clairvaux MacKillop College Mt Gravatt, and Our Lady’s College Annerley.
BCE Education Officer - Learning and Pedagogy - School Progress and Performance, Cara Robinson Taylor, said student engagement was palpably better, their learning more comprehensive and their educational outcome improved.
“My role is to help schools develop a 12-month research project that has measurable, tangible outcomes that can be translated into other BCE schools,” Cara said.
“Our team supports the schools with implementation planning and applying the research strategies within the school environment.
“San Damiano is seeing amazing results and there is a well-deserved sense of pride and accomplishment from students and teachers alike.”
The program is so successful that San Damiano will be offering Philosophy as a Year 9 elective subject in 2025.
“This, to me, shows students wish to explore their thinking and develop this further - a lovely sign for the future,” Paul said.
Queensland World Teachers' Day 25 October 2024:
Queensland World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and applaud our teachers for the important role they play in our communities and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students. This year's Queensland theme is Teachers' Make a Difference. If you would like to thank a staff member at a BCE school, share your appreciation via our virtual message board.
Watch to learn more about the Teaching for Thinking Pilot at San Damiano College Yarrabilba.