About Catalyst

Informed by the Science of Learning & the Science of Reading research, Catalyst seeks to deliver excellent learning experiences for students through evidence-based pedagogy and high-quality curriculum resources. Catalyst aims to provide all the professional learning, resources and supports teachers need to help students to realise their full academic potential – transforming lives through learning.

Introducing Catalyst

Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn Director, Ross Fox

In 2020, Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) launched Catalyst, a program dedicated to educational transformation.

Since its launch, Catalyst has evolved from a professional learning program that builds Teachers’ knowledge, skills and expertise to CECG’s long-term approach to teaching and learning.

Explore our system

ABOUT CATALYST

The Catalyst Approach

Catalyst aspires to transform lives through learning. Through this approach, we empower our leaders and teachers to embed High Impact Teaching Practice in the classroom, by providing high-quality professional learning, resources and support, all informed by research.

Our Bold Goals

In 2020, we created a vision and approach of system-wide change, focusing on our teachers as the most important learner, to improve student learning across the Archdiocese. In three years, 56 schools, 1,700 teachers and more than 21,000 students have engaged in the Catalyst journey in someway. NAPLAN achievement data is a positive early indicator that we are heading in the right direction as we strive towards our Bold Goals.

Throughout our journey, we have consistently monitored, adapted, and refined the Catalyst program to transition from initial implementation to embedding and sustaining long-term practice change, all while staying true to our bold goals.

Bold Goal One

Every Student is a Competent Reader

Supporting every student with high-quality literacy programs to enable them to reach their learning potential.

Bold Goal Two

High Impact Teaching Practice is visible in every classroom

Delivering impactful lessons combining evidence-based teaching practice and high-quality curriculum resources to improve student learning.

An evidence-based teaching approach

Catalyst is founded in the cognitive science principles of the Science of Learning. By leveraging this research, we ensure our approach provides the best possible learning outcomes for students. Catalyst provides students:

Access to excellent teachers who deliver engaging and impactful lessons for every student in every classroom across the Archdiocese
A consistent approach to teaching and learning across our Archdiocese, creating a seamless transition between classrooms and schools for both teachers and students
Exceptional learning experiences for students delivered by best practice teaching that is evidence based

“Catalyst really has been a catalyst for positive change in education and continues to be a shining light for education in Australia.”

Michael Roberts, Founder of COGlearn

THE IMPACT

Since launching in 2020

of teachers would recommend the Catalyst approach to their colleagues

4 in 5

teachers endorse the Catalyst Approach. They report saving up to 6 hours per week

of teachers noted improvements in student participation in their classes

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For teachers

Supporting teachers to do what they do best

Teachers benefit from Catalyst through:

Professional learning in exemplary High Impact Teaching Practice
Best practice literacy instruction
An online library of evidence-based learning resources aligned to the curriculum
A culture of support, through collaboration and mentoring
Enhanced knowledge of data to assess teaching impact
Tailored intervention programs to assist all learners

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For Leaders

A whole school approach to teaching and learning

Leaders of schools implementing Catalyst will benefit from:

Low variation curriculum resources and pedagogy for collective efficacy
Comprehensive body of knowledge in teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum
Collaborative professionalism through the sharing of resources, learning and working together
Guidance to deliver strategic goals through an Annual Improvement Plan
A shared culture and aligned vision

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For parents

Supporting student learning at home

Learning with Catalyst starts in the classroom, but also offers parents the opportunity to enhance learning at home by:

Setting clear learning objectives
A consistent approach to teaching and learning across the Archdiocese
An evidence-based approach aimed to cater to every student and ensure they excel
Regular assessments to check for understanding

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