Our Foundations for Learning
We believe that the key drivers to quality teaching and effective curriculum delivery are:
high expectations - teacher belief that all students can achieve high academic results
teacher accountable learning - responsibility is accepted for each student's learning
explicit instruction - explicit and directed teaching every lesson, every day, every classroom
knowledge retention - moving student knowledge from short term to long term memory
effective relationships - effective relationships between students and teachers
consistent approaches - clear and specific programs and policies to inform teaching.
Our values
At Balaclava State School we value:
To meet this vision statement and values, Balaclava State School is committed to students, quality teaching and accountability. We use key conditions, key elements and key strategies to meet standards and targets that we have designed to help us continue to strive for the best learning outcomes for all students.
We believe children are more likely to learn when the following key conditions are present and as a community we strive to provide them:
Expectation: children can and will learn.
Prior knowledge: learning is constructed from where children are at both socially and academically. We build in and build on prior knowledge.
Environment: non– threatening, where the problem solving approach of “have a go’ is encouraged.
Integration: all subjects including literacy, numeracy and ICTs are taught across all other areas.
Learning activities: structured, sequenced, achievable, enjoyable.
Learning style: predominately explicit teaching.
Continuous assessment: to enable appropriate intervention and scaffolding.
Evaluation/ reflection: appropriateness of programs, activities, teaching strategies.
Formal and informal collegial discussions: sharing best practice sessions, good public relations: (worthwhile partnerships), acknowledge, respect, listen, negotiate, win-win situations.
Communication: formal and informal discussions, information sessions, consistency, open door policy.
Home visits.