Discussion with Colleagues and School Leaders

So far this year, our staff meetings have been focused on setting our inquiry direction for 2025. As a school, we are continuing to prioritise raising achievement in reading and maths, which reflects the needs we have seen across our learners.

After reviewing my 2024 data, spending time observing my students in reading sessions, and having valuable discussions with colleagues and school leaders, I have decided to continue my focus on reading for this year's inquiry. While my focus area remains similar to previous years, I want to refine and deepen my approach based on what I am seeing in my current class. This year, my inquiry will centre on raising reading achievement for students who are currently reading between the ages of 9 and 12.5 years. I will continue to focus on developing critical thinking skills and encouraging extended discussion during reading sessions. Through my observations so far, I have noticed that some students are confident and naturally lead group discussions, while others tend to sit quietly and rely on their peers. I want to find ways to empower all learners to contribute meaningfully to discussions, share their ideas confidently, and strengthen their reading comprehension through richer conversations.

School Leaders Discussion

After looking at my data, observing my students and completing tasks for RPI I have had a few discussions with our deputy principal Toni Nua around my inquiry focus. With RPI this year we have regular coaching sessions around what we have learnt and what we are going to implement. One of the first discussions that I had with Toni was around selecting my target group of learners and what some of the challenges that the students might be facing with reading. We looked at the PAT data together and agreed that my group of students who are reading between the ages of 7 and 8.5 would be a good focus for my inquiry this year. 

Since this first meeting I have completed some other observations with my students and have had the opportunity to share some of these observations with Toni. These conversations have been invaluable as I am able to share what I am thinking and seeing in the classroom and Toni has given me suggestions and ideas that I can work through in the classroom. This focus also fits in with our school and cluster goals for this year.