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Teachers

Empowering teachers to deepen their knowledge and build expertise in evidence-based classroom practice.

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.

TEACHING APPROACH

Pillars of Teaching and Learning

We believe that all teachers should be taught these principles to help them embed more effective teaching methods.

What we teach

Curriculum

High-quality curriculum resources, robust pedagogy, and evidence-based teaching and assessment improve outcomes for teachers and students

How we teach

Pedagogy

High-quality curriculum resources, robust pedagogy, and evidence-based teaching and assessment improve outcomes for teachers and students

How we know

Assessment

High-quality curriculum resources, robust pedagogy, and evidence-based teaching and assessment improve outcomes for teachers and students

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The Catalyst Journey

Watch now

Key Materials

Explore the fundamentals of the Catalyst Approach

For Parents

What parents want to know

Teachers can work with families to help them understand the Catalyst Approach, how it’s implemented in classrooms, and how it can benefit their children. Catalyst has a range of resources available to support parents.

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Our 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

See the impact

Testimonials

Janica Morella
Learning Support Sacred Heart, Pearce

“Our journey at Sacred Heart has set us on a focused path to improving students’ outcomes for reading and writing. We were also seeking common language across the school around the science of reading – we are now well on our way!”

Jenny Smith
Coordinator and Stage One Teacher St Bernard’s Primary School – Batemans Bay

“I’ve seen a significant growth in student knowledge and deep understanding of the literacy concepts within my Stage 1 classroom. Student engagement is high due to the fast pace of delivery, visual scaffolds, and multisensory movement to embed concepts being taught.“

Sarah Lowe
Principal St Mary’s Primary School – Crookwell

“I love teaching in this way allows children to be their best self, which makes you feel good as a teacher and you just want to keep building them up which is then building you up. I learn so much from watching others, to then have others come into my class to observe my lessons and watch me, I am so open share and collaborate and build each other up, that is the best thing about this Catalyst journey.“

    Contact Us

    Let our journey guide your success

    Creating the culture for sustained change is challenging. The knowledge and expertise gained from our own journey can provide the support, material and resources to ensure that your experience in embedding High Impact Teaching Practice is as smooth as possible. The Catalyst approach has been designed to seamlessly integrate into the classroom, so that it is readily adopted by teachers.

    Interested in bringing the impact of Catalyst to your school? Get in touch for more information.

    Get started

    Opportunities

    Grow your career, with Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn

    We are committed to continuing to support the development of excellent teachers in all schools across the Archdiocese. Find out more, and view our current career opportunities.

    Work with us

    FAQs

    Answers to your most commonly asked questions

    • How do I implement this in my classroom?

      Teachers will be provided with the knowledge and resources to implement the HITP in their classrooms. These are provided through formal professional learning sessions, focusing on theory, demonstration, practice and feedback, along with online units and coaching.

      Which aspects of HITP are being addressed? Can we choose which ones we do or are they a complete set?

      HITP provides a complete set of practices based on Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction. Teachers and leaders are provided with professional learning, supports and resources to understand each principle or practice and the important interdependencies associated.

      Do we need to complete the Catalyst Online Units in a specific order, or can we change the order based on our school needs?

      The online units have been designed to be taken in a specific order, however revisiting the units or specific aspects is encouraged

      When will teachers have time for the modules/training?

      Most of the professional learning will be completed during allocated professional development time. The theory aspect of Catalyst will not require extra time from teachers – we are simply shifting our professional learning focus to incorporate the Catalyst program.

      Teachers will complete HITP in Action training in school hours through coaching days or through a master class model. There may be some preparation or filming of lessons required for coaching purposes which can be worked into existing time at school.

      Each school will have a different implementation timeline and journey. For more information on your school’s journey, speak with your Principal or Leadership Team.

      How do we ensure we cater for all needs when implementing an Explicit Instruction approach?

      Catalyst will help CECG schools to implement a comprehensive teaching and learning approach. All teachers will learn about evidence-based practice aligned with the Science of Learning, and apply a range of pedagogical techniques to cater for all learners. Catalyst focuses on first wave teaching, what is the best approach for the majority of learners. Support and guidance is then provided for teachers to respond accordingly to student needs through scaffolding or additional supports along with formal Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention structures.

      What resources will we be provided?

      Teachers will have access to online units, professional learning and curriculum resources via the Catalyst MS teams Resource Hub.

      For more information on the resources available for your school, speak with your Principal or Leadership Team.

      What does Catalyst mean for a classroom teacher?

      Catalyst provides them with professional learning and coaching opportunities.

      All teachers in the Archdiocese engage in components of Catalyst professional learning and develop an understanding how to implement High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP) in their classrooms.

      Each school will have a different implementation timeline and journey. For more information on your school’s journey, speak with your Principal or Leadership Team.

      Learn more about our Teaching Approach

      How does Catalyst support curriculum resourcing?

      Catalyst supports curriculum resourcing and assessment across the system by curating selected high-quality resources and manipulatives that align to the Australian Curriculum and NSW Syllabus.

      Curriculum resources have been developed to support K-10 Mathematics, 3-6 English, with more learning areas across K-12 to be explored. These resources have been made available to schools in the Curriculum Hub, available in your school’s Catalyst Team.

      Literacy curriculum support is also available for schools with programs including The Writing Revolution, Spelling Mastery, MiniLit and Reading Tutor Program. For more information on these resources please speak with your Principal or Leadership Team.

      Is the professional learning undertaken through Catalyst eligble accreditated hours?

      Yes, most of the professional learning undertaken through Catalyst is eligible to be claimed as TQI accredited hours and used for maintenance of NESA hours

      How are support staff involved in the Catalyst journey?

      Classroom Support Assistants (CSAs) are engaged in whole school Catalyst professional learning and trained in MiniLit and Macqlit intervention programs.

      What curriculum areas is Catalyst prioritising?

      Catalyst connects with all curriculum areas with a priority focus on literacy and numeracy across all year levels.

      Research has shown the importance high-quality of early learning to future academic success. Our literacy focus for the early years (K-2) will provide all students with the foundational skills for future learning.

      Further, a review of CE’s performance in 2020, found that student outcomes could be improved in mathematics, across all year levels. Through Catalyst, a suite of high-quality curriculum resources for K-10 maths is in development.

      Learn more about our Teaching Approach

      How does Catalyst work in a secondary school setting?

      High Impact Teaching Practice is designed for all grades and learning areas. HITP empowers teachers to embed Science of Learning in their classrooms, no matter the year level or subject they are teaching.

      CECG are committed to developing high quality curriculum resources for secondary teachers, with Years 7-10 Maths in development and other curriculum areas to follow.

    • What is Catalyst?

      Catalyst ensures every student in every classroom has access to high-quality instruction from teachers who deliver engaging and impactful lessons.

      Catalyst provides a consistent approach to teaching and learning across our Archdiocese, making the movement for teachers and students between schools seamless.

      This teaching and learning approach is based on the best available research on how students learn, retain and retrieve information.

      Learn more about our Teaching Approach
      Learn more about Catalyst

      Why do we need Catalyst?

      Catalyst ensures every student in every classroom has access to high-quality instruction from teachers who deliver engaging and impactful lessons.

      Catalyst provides a consistent approach to teaching and learning across our Archdiocese, making the movement for teachers and students between schools seamless.

      This teaching and learning approach is based on the best available research on how students learn, retain and retrieve information.

      Explore our Teaching Approach

      How does Catalyst align with the CECG vision?

      Catalyst aligns to the CECG strategic plan Faith in Learning through our committment to supporting our teachers in their vocation to enrich students’ lives through learning. Catalyst aligns to CECG vision of “Jesus Christ, our greatest teacher, calls us to share and bear witness to our Catholic Faith and Tradition, build inclusive communities and deliver contemporary quality learning opportunities for every person.”

      Catalyst does this by supporting our teachers, Leaders, and Principals to transform students’ lives through learning ensuring excellence and equity in education

      Learn more about Catalyst

      Where can I learn more about the foundation research that underpins Catalyst?

      Catalyst is backed by a comprehensive body of knowledge and research on how students learn to read, known as the Science of Reading and the Science of Learning.

      Explore our Teaching Approach

      Learn more about the Science of Learning by checking out the resources available in the Catalyst Knowledge Packs –
      Knowledge Pack 1.0
      Knowledge Pack 2.0
      Knowledge Pack 3.0

      How will Catalyst improve Teaching and Learning outcomes?

      Catalyst is based on the best available research on how students learn, retain and retrieve information.

      Leveraging this research ensures our approach and the implementation it in our classrooms is the most effective and efficient way possible for student learning.

      Explore the impact

      Where can I find out more about working with CECG and Catalyst?

      With 56 schools and 9 early learning centres across ACT & NSW we’re working to support the development of excellent principals, leadership teams and teachers in schools across the Archdiocese, through the Catalyst program.

      Explore CECG career opportunities

    Explore our FAQs