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Keyword: HITP

S3|E3: Leading HITP from the classroom with Zoe Cawdron & Lauren Maher

Written by lenoxhill on .

In this episode, CECG teachers Zoe Cawdron and Lauren Maher unpack the impact of Catalyst on their teaching practice, discussing:

  • Implementing effective classroom routines, attention signals, and engagement norms
  • Leading from the classroom through their Sharing Best Practice vocabulary presentation
  • Using assessment data to tailor instruction, support struggling readers, and extend learning opportunities

This episode offers practical strategies for educators seeking to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through evidence-informed approaches.

Showcasing Catalyst: Welcoming Catholic Education New Zealand

Written by lenoxhill on . Posted in News.

Last week, Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) had the pleasure of welcoming 30 school leaders and teachers from New Zealand who travelled to engage in three dynamic days of learning and classroom observations of High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP), leadership discussions and exploring how Catalyst has been implemented across our 56 schools.

The visit commenced with a welcome presentation on Catalyst, CECG’s teaching and learning approach, offering insights into implementation across our schools and the impact it has had on leaders, teachers and students.

Over the following days, the group visited a range of classrooms where they observed HITP in action. Each day concluded with leadership discussions and a reflective debrief session, which gave our teachers the opportunity to share their experiences. Here, they discussed any changes to their practice, including the key enablers, the challenges encountered, and the barriers overcome along the way. These reflections underscore CECG’s commitment to teaching and learning, continuing to build a culture of improvement, support, and continuous refinement in teacher practice.

“[The visitors] all shared how positively [teachers] spoke about the system support that has been provided to schools, and they heard from teachers at break times in their informal conversations with them about the positive impact Catalyst has had on their teaching and on student learning.”
Patrick Ellis, Education Lead

One of the key takeaways, as noted by a visiting educator, was witnessing how teachers effectively responded to student needs through differentiated instruction and carefully scaffolded support.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the following schools that welcomed visitors into their classrooms and took time out of their busy schedules to share their practice –

  • Holy Spirit Primary School, Nicholls
  • Holy Family Primary School, Gowrie
  • St Joseph’s Primary School, O’Connor
  • St Mary MacKillop College, Wanniassa
  • Rosary Primary School, Watson
  • Merici College, Braddon
  • St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah
  • St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt
  • St Vincent’s Primary, Aranda
  • Good Shepherd Primary School, Amaroo

“I can’t express enough how impressed our visitors were after visiting your schools. They were blown away by the leadership and the teaching practice they observed. They were buzzing as we debriefed at the end of each day in the office.”
Patrick Ellis, Education Lead

This visit reinforced the value of collaboration and a shared purpose within Catholic Education. Thank you to all who participated.

Learn more about our approach here.

View our school stories here.

S3|E2 High Impact Instruction with Dr Greg Ashman

Written by lenoxhill on .

In this episode, Greg Ashman talks about: 

  • Clarendon College’s consistent record of high academic achievement 
  • The role of homework and study methods in supporting student success 
  • Insights into Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction 
  • How Cognitive Load Theory can inform classroom practice 
  • ‘Differentiation or Differentiated Instruction’ 
  • His PhD research in Instructional Design 
  • Inquiry Learning

Greg is Deputy Principal at Ballarat Clarendon College in Victoria, and the author of three books, including The Power of Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction. He also writes a popular Substack newsletter, Filling the Pail. This conversation offers practical insights for educators keen to apply evidence-informed strategies and deepen their understanding of how students learn best. 

S2|E4: High Impact Teaching Practice with Ingrid Sealey

Written by lenoxhill on .

In this episode I chat with Ingrid Sealy, Director and founder of TeachWell. Ingrid brings to light many aspects of High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP). Her wealth of knowledge and experience is extensive in this area. Ingrid is a HITP instructional coach working with some of our schools through the Catalyst program. We discuss the following:

  • How TeachWell is supporting CECG
  • How teachers can use videoing to improve instructional practice, and why it is so effective
  • The most effective instructional strategies for teaching
  • The type of reviews and how their importance
  • The number one thing that leaders can do to improve instructional practice in schools
  • How HITP practices allow students to take ownership (agency) in their learning

Ingrid references the following people, websites, organisations and readings:

S1|E4: Teacher Insights from Catalyst – Implementation of Catalyst and HITP featuring Peter Collins

Written by lenoxhill on .

In this episode of Teacher Insights from Catalyst, join us for a captivating conversation with Peter Collins, teacher and Curriculum Coordinator at St Thomas Aquinas, West Belconnen, Canberra. Peter shares his invaluable experiences and successes in implementing Catalyst and HITP in the classroom. Delve into the world of EDI lessons and Direct Instruction programs like Spelling Mastery, as Peter discusses their transformative impact on student learning outcomes. Discover how Peter enhances students’ mathematical understanding through engaging EDI Maths lessons and how he nurtures language skills with specific Vocabulary lessons. In addition, Peter discusses insights into adopting a Knowledge Rich Curriculum and its connection to reading. 

Mentioned article: The Coach in the Operating Room | The New Yorker 

Catalyst Brochure

Written by lenoxhill on .

Summarising the Catalyst program, an evidence-based teaching approach, and how it is implemented at a system level