How We Personalise Learning

As part of our ‘Quick Sprints’ program, identified students have the opportunity to participate in a four week ‘Sprint’ program where they target a particular aspect of learning in Literacy or Numeracy. The students will work in a small group (up to four students) on a specific, measurable goal over the sprint cycle, with the intention of making rapid improvement in a short space of time. At the end of the Sprint cycle, the students are assessed on their newly gained knowledge. These extra focus group Sprint sessions complement the work that is being completed in the classroom. The planning and implementation of the Sprints program is based on the work our school has undertaken with Dr. Simon Breakspear.

In 2018 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School was one of twenty schools in Melbourne to join ‘The Learning Collaborative’- a strategic group whose intention is to improve student outcomes through quality professional development for teachers. Working with Canadian educational specialist Dr. Lyn Sharratt, the school is in the process of reflecting on best practice for teachers, with the intention of further improving our collective Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and best classroom practice. This also includes using informed data to track student growth and plan for individual success. The school is continuing to work closely with Dr. Sharratt and Catholic Education Melbourne to implement the goals of the collaborative.

At Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School we encourage all our students to be the best person they can be! This includes encouraging and promoting students in all areas, including sports, music, dance, acting and academic pursuits. In regards the extension of academic performance, students in Years 3-6 are identified and offered the opportunity to participate in the GATEWays Challenge, a team based academic challenge based on curriculum programs. The students work with their team for several weeks leading up to the challenge day, where they work through a variety of tasks- teamwork is more important in these challenges than individual performance. The GATEWays Challenge takes place in term four of each year.

Parents of children wishing to enrol in levels other than Prep are welcome to call and make an appointment with the Principal for a tour of the school at any time throughout the year.