Responsive Timetable (Initiation Phase)
Annual Plan Target
A dynamic senior campus timetable reflects the aspirations of the school and supports personalised student progress outcomes
Background
As a Christian special character school, we want to have a timetable that enables the effective delivery of a quality Christian education programme.
It is important to define what is meant by a quality Christian education programme. Firstly, KingsWay’s programme encompasses both curricular and co-curricular learning. Secondly, it is not confined to a few special subjects like Devotions and Biblical Studies. “All aspects of school life, learning, and relationships are informed by Scripture and shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ” (KingsWay Trust, 2019). Whether, coaching football on a Saturday, or teaching about prayer in Biblical Studies on Monday period 3, these learning opportunities are key and complimenting elements of delivering a quality Christian education programme.
In 2020 feedback was sought from teachers and students on a timetable that would meet the desired objectives. This was a well-conducted process with each group being able to feed into the timetable design on three occasions. A final timetable design was settled on by October ready for sharing with the board and community.
Progress
Planning is well underway with Middle School and Senior School for timetable implementation in 2022. A key focus of the plan is the professional development of staff as they prepare to teach inside a new ‘container’. Key features of this new timetable include:
Longer blocks of learning time. The student day will for the most part be broken up into 85 minute periods of learning for a particular subject. This differs from our current model where most periods of time are 45 – 50 minutes long. The key rationale for this shift is to enable deep learning and decrease the amount of time lost to students transitioning between classes.
Devotions have been moved from the start of the day to before morning tea and have been rebranded as ‘Life Lab’. The key rationale for shifting this time is to prioritise this time of devotional content, pastoral care and administration.
A Wider Learning block has been implemented for 85mins per fortnight. This is an exciting innovation where students will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Examples of semester-based short courses that may be offered in this time include financial literacy, sport academies, photography, defensive driving etc
Room has been created for the implementation of a mentoring programme. This will enable small groups of students to connect with a significant adult who will mentor them throughout the school year.