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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Jemma Morris, Director of Teacher Development
At Saint Ignatius College Geelong, our Professional Learning program is shaped by both individual staff needs and the College Improvement Plan priorities, ensuring we continue to pursue the MACS Vision for Instruction and the Vision for Engagement. This focus not only builds teacher expertise but also strengthens student achievement and wellbeing by cultivating a thriving professional culture across our community.
Many of our teachers have shown great courage and professional commitment by embracing a new way of working together this year, particularly across the Years 7–8 teaching teams. A significant number of teachers and leaders have engaged in Instructional Coaching which involves dedicating time to observing one another, offering targeted feedback, refining practice, trialling new strategies, and, more recently, participating in low-stakes drop-ins. Already, we are seeing the immediate benefits in stronger collegial relationships and the sharing of effective practice. Importantly, the long-term impact will be even greater, as this work continues to build a culture of collective teacher expertise that enhances student learning and achievement across the College for years to come.
Alongside instructional coaching, many staff have been busily engaged in their chosen focus areas through the Professional Learning Cycle (PLC), each aligned with key College priorities: The Science of Learning, Literacy Across the Curriculum, Feedback for Learning, Behaviour Curriculum, Wellbeing (including Respectful Relationships), and Ignatian Formation. The PLC framework provides teachers with the opportunity to inquire into, trial, and embed practices that make the greatest difference for student learning and wellbeing. This important work will culminate in our end-of-year staff SHOWCace (Celebrate – Acknowledge – Collaborate – Engage), where colleagues will come together to share insights, reflect on growth, and celebrate their professional learning journeys.
We are also committed to fostering the skills, reflective practice, and growth of our leaders to create the strongest possible environment for thriving teams here at Saint Ignatius College Geelong. Throughout 2025, Middle Leaders have continued one-to-one coaching with Dr Bern Nichols, while a large group of aspiring and current leaders have also engaged in fortnightly Dare to Lead workshops, reflecting on Brené Brown’s influential book. This reflective and inspiring work complements the practical leadership coaching already embedded at the College and offers an additional opportunity for shared, collegiate learning. In addition, a number of staff were fortunate to attend the VCSSDPA Regional Women in Leadership Conference, hearing from Professor Elizabeth Labone (CEO of VCEA) and participating in a full-day session with Tracey Ezard on ‘Ferocious Warmth’ leadership. These experiences are helping shape the next generation of leaders in our College.
Our professional growth has been further enriched through opt-in, staff-led Thursday afternoon sessions and a wide range of individual and group external professional learning opportunities, including many aligned with the MACS Flourishing Learners vision. In September, several staff will attend the MACS Flourishing Learners State Conference, featuring keynote presentations from internationally recognised speakers such as Professor Dylan Wiliam, Tom Sherrington, Kristen Douglas, Emina McLean, Brother David Hall, Bron Ryrie Jones, Jamie Clark, and Dr Jordana Hunter. We look forward to bringing this learning back to continue strengthening our work in College priority areas, including student connection and belonging, literacy, explicit teaching, instructional coaching, and curriculum development.
As we continue to invest in the growth of our staff and leaders, we strengthen the foundation for a thriving, connected, and high-performing College community. By combining reflective practice, practical coaching, and engagement with leading research, we are ensuring that our students experience learning that is informed, intentional, and inspiring. Together, we look forward to carrying this work into 2026 and beyond, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and belonging for all.
Jemma Morris,
Director of Teacher Development
Feature
Events
Our News // 21 August 2025
Article by Jemma Morris, Director of Teacher Development
At Saint Ignatius College Geelong, our Professional Learning program is shaped by both individual staff needs and the College Improvement Plan priorities, ensuring we continue to pursue the MACS Vision for Instruction and the Vision for Engagement. This focus not only builds teacher expertise but also strengthens student achievement and wellbeing by cultivating a thriving professional culture across our community.
Many of our teachers have shown great courage and professional commitment by embracing a new way of working together this year, particularly across the Years 7–8 teaching teams. A significant number of teachers and leaders have engaged in Instructional Coaching which involves dedicating time to observing one another, offering targeted feedback, refining practice, trialling new strategies, and, more recently, participating in low-stakes drop-ins. Already, we are seeing the immediate benefits in stronger collegial relationships and the sharing of effective practice. Importantly, the long-term impact will be even greater, as this work continues to build a culture of collective teacher expertise that enhances student learning and achievement across the College for years to come.
Alongside instructional coaching, many staff have been busily engaged in their chosen focus areas through the Professional Learning Cycle (PLC), each aligned with key College priorities: The Science of Learning, Literacy Across the Curriculum, Feedback for Learning, Behaviour Curriculum, Wellbeing (including Respectful Relationships), and Ignatian Formation. The PLC framework provides teachers with the opportunity to inquire into, trial, and embed practices that make the greatest difference for student learning and wellbeing. This important work will culminate in our end-of-year staff SHOWCace (Celebrate – Acknowledge – Collaborate – Engage), where colleagues will come together to share insights, reflect on growth, and celebrate their professional learning journeys.
We are also committed to fostering the skills, reflective practice, and growth of our leaders to create the strongest possible environment for thriving teams here at Saint Ignatius College Geelong. Throughout 2025, Middle Leaders have continued one-to-one coaching with Dr Bern Nichols, while a large group of aspiring and current leaders have also engaged in fortnightly Dare to Lead workshops, reflecting on Brené Brown’s influential book. This reflective and inspiring work complements the practical leadership coaching already embedded at the College and offers an additional opportunity for shared, collegiate learning. In addition, a number of staff were fortunate to attend the VCSSDPA Regional Women in Leadership Conference, hearing from Professor Elizabeth Labone (CEO of VCEA) and participating in a full-day session with Tracey Ezard on ‘Ferocious Warmth’ leadership. These experiences are helping shape the next generation of leaders in our College.
Our professional growth has been further enriched through opt-in, staff-led Thursday afternoon sessions and a wide range of individual and group external professional learning opportunities, including many aligned with the MACS Flourishing Learners vision. In September, several staff will attend the MACS Flourishing Learners State Conference, featuring keynote presentations from internationally recognised speakers such as Professor Dylan Wiliam, Tom Sherrington, Kristen Douglas, Emina McLean, Brother David Hall, Bron Ryrie Jones, Jamie Clark, and Dr Jordana Hunter. We look forward to bringing this learning back to continue strengthening our work in College priority areas, including student connection and belonging, literacy, explicit teaching, instructional coaching, and curriculum development.
As we continue to invest in the growth of our staff and leaders, we strengthen the foundation for a thriving, connected, and high-performing College community. By combining reflective practice, practical coaching, and engagement with leading research, we are ensuring that our students experience learning that is informed, intentional, and inspiring. Together, we look forward to carrying this work into 2026 and beyond, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and belonging for all.
Jemma Morris,
Director of Teacher Development
