Lismore Catholic Schools has teamed up with Southern Cross University to reimagine teacher education and training to revolutionise and redefine how teachers are prepared for their career.
The partnership was announced at a joint press conference last week at St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore.
“The Mission of our Catholic Schools is to deliver education in such a way that every student can achieve the fullness of life. We are committed to doing this through diverse and innovative learning opportunities, which put our students at the centre,” said Adam Spencer, director of Lismore Catholic Schools.
“The expertise at Southern Cross University, its commitment to co-designing with us and a bold outlook to what can be achieved in our classrooms makes it a natural partner in supporting our endeavour.”
The $1.2 million three-year research program aims to deliver positive outcomes for students, teachers and Lismore Diocese’s wider school communities, from Tweed Heads at the Queensland border, south to Laurieton on the mid-north coast and west to Dorrigo on the Northern Tablelands.
David Lynch, the Research Director for the university’s TeachLab, said there were substantial bodies of research that supported different approaches in teacher education and classroom practice.
However, change was difficult at a national and state level because reform was typically delivered in a “top down” way which did not involve teachers and school leaders in the process.
“The research agreement with Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools will allow us to flip that model, working with teachers and school leaders on those things the evidence tells us will improve outcomes for students, support the development of teachers in their practice and create a school environment which is highly individual and targets the needs of each student,” Professor Lynch said.
Pre-service teachers will have the opportunity to combine learning and practice in the teaching school classrooms from day one of their studies, Mr Spencer said.
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Top marks: Southern Cross University and Diocese of Lismore sign bold 3 year research agreement (Lismore Catholic Schools)
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