Spotlighting Catalyst’s impact in the school and classroom at Sharing Best Practice

March 2023

Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn (CECG) were delighted to speak alongside representatives from St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah at the Sharing Best Practice event held in Geelong.

Patrick Ellis, Education Lead, teamed up with Ursula Jamieson, Principal, Monique George, Year 3/4 Teacher, and Lauren Jameson, Kindergarten Teacher from St Thomas the Apostle to discuss Catalysts’ evidence-based approach to teaching and learning for system and school improvement.

Lauren Jameson – Kindergarten Teacher, Ursula Jamieson – Principal and Monique George – Year 3/4 Teacher.

The presentation captured the day’s intention to share best practices in education. Reflecting on their Catalyst journey thus far, Patrick, Ursula, Monique and Lauren outlined the next steps for them in their context.

Patrick provided a summary of evidence-based change at the system level, followed by Ursula who discussed change at the school level, and lastly, Teachers Monique and Lauren who provided an overview of implementation outcomes at the classroom level.

Attendee Lachlan West, Teacher at Good News Lutheran College applauded Patrick and the St Thomas the Apostle representatives for facilitating a “very valuable discussion of Catalyst and best practice.”

CECG were joined by keynote presenters, including Professor Stephen Dinham OAM (Emeritus Professor at University of Melbourne and Author), Lyn Stone (Clinical Director at Lifelong Literacy and Author) and Tanya Serry (Associate Professor at La Trobe Melbourne). Breakout sessions were held with various experts in their field, topics included building a Knowledge Rich Curriculum, early literacy instruction, how cognitive science can assist with teaching and learning, behaviour management, writing instruction and assessment, instructional coaching models and more.

“It was great to discuss evidence-based change at the system, school and classroom level alongside the wonderful Ursula, Lauren and Monique from St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah. I look forward to future Sharing Best Practice events,” Patrick said.

Attendees at the Sharing Best Practice event in Geelong March 2023.