More than 700 staff from Bendigo Education Plan schools and the Department of Education gathered at Bendigo Senior Secondary College today for an important day of professional development.
Staff from Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Bendigo South East College, Weeroona College, Crusoe College and Eaglehawk Secondary College had their first of four-days training in the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM).
BSEM is a practical approach to teaching and learning that enables teachers to increase engagement with students who have complex, unmet learning needs and successfully improve all students’ self-regulation, growth and academic achievement.
The BSEM strategies incorporate evidence-based trauma-aware teaching, positive education and wellbeing practices.
BSSC Assistant Principal, Kylie Hand, said the BEP combined curriculum day was a great opportunity for collaboration between Bendigo schools.
“The Berry Street Model allows us to have a collective consistency in the way education is delivered across Bendigo,” she said. “Training such as this emphasises how inter-connected learning and wellbeing are. It gives all Bendigo education staff the strategies they need to benefit every single student—not only those who have experienced trauma.”
Berry Street Education Model has been the focus of research by University of Melbourne across mainstream schools. The different studies investigated student behaviours, achievement, engagement and wellbeing using a range of methodologies.
Teachers went away today armed with a range of practical ideas and strategies they can implement straight away to improve student engagement.
Alumni of the program consistently report that students’ connection, engagement and learning are all significantly improved once BSEM strategies are applied in their classrooms.
Participants will complete day two of their training in Term 3, and days three and four in 2023.
A big thank you to Dr Tom Brunzell and the amazing team of educators from Berry Street; to DET Regional Director Angela Singh; Principal of Maryborough Education Centre, David Sutton, who shared his school’s experiences via video; and Uncle Paul Chapman who welcomed everyone to Ulumbarra with his didgeridoo.
More pics on the BSSC Facebook page
