Pedagogical Practices
Evidence-Based Quality Teaching Practices
At Salamah College, our pedagogical practices are directly related to the design and continuous review of our curriculum, enhancing educational excellence informed by evidence-based quality teaching practices. Our Primary and High School teachers have a shared understanding of an evidence-informed approach to quality teaching, curriculum planning, implementation and assessment to promote learning excellence. Teaching and learning programs are responsive to the learning needs of students and syllabus requirements.
Explicit Instruction
At Salamah College, we apply explicit instruction an evidence-based practice to optimise learning outcomes for all students through a systematic, engaging, and success-oriented teaching approach. This involves our teachers clearly explaining, demonstrating, and modelling learning content, breaking down complex skills into smaller learning outcomes, and modelling each step. This approach helps to manage cognitive load to support students with building foundational knowledge before they practise independently. By regularly monitoring student progress, teachers can use data to make informed decisions about instruction.
Salamah teachers follow the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, which applies differing levels of instruction of same skills and concept to provide the essential opportunities for all students to master key skills by means of:
- Tier 1 – Whole Class Instruction
- Tier 2 – Targeted Small Group Instruction
- Tier 3 – Individualised Instruction
Writing
In line with the NSW curriculum reform, we are ensuring explicit writing instruction is a priority across all years of primary and secondary schooling. We are incorporating consistent, frequent, and effective writing instructional techniques across the curriculum in the primary and secondary years. In addition, placing a stronger emphasis on developing sentence-level writing instruction, teaching genre, and embedding grammar and punctuation instruction in meaningful writing tasks. Students are taught typing skills and provided with opportunities to compose texts using digital writing tools on their laptops.
School Excellence Framework
We incorporate a whole-school approach of evidence-based eight quality teaching practices to improve student performance outcomes:
- High Expectations: We believe in every student’s potential, setting high expectations to inspire achievement.
- Explicit Teaching: Instructions are clear, sequential and systematic to ensure students understand what to do and how to succeed.
- Effective Feedback: Ongoing, constructive feedback helps students track progress and improve performance.
- Data-Driven Practices: We use student data to inform teaching and tailor learning to individual needs.
- Quality Assessment: Regular assessments ensure learning progress and guide instructional adjustments.
- Classroom Management: Effective management creates a focused, engaging environment for learning.
- Student Wellbeing: We prioritise a safe, supportive environment that promotes emotional and social development.
- Collaboration: Our teachers work together to share best practices and enhance student outcomes.
