Supporting Teachers

There will be changes in how, when and where teaching occurs for some teachers. This will be a challenging and rewarding time presenting new opportunities to broaden pedagogical expertise, develop new relationships with students and colleagues and enhance career pathways.

Central office staff will work with schools to provide support to teachers, including:

  • Developing a detailed plan to support the transition of staff and students.

  • Promoting the student-teacher relationship during the transition process and beyond by supporting, where possible, teachers who want to move with their students to their new school.

  • Informing and preparing all students about what they can expect in their school environment with targeted programs to support those students who will be moving to a new school.

  • Providing support to Senior Years teachers to deliver the requirements of the NTCF to Year 10 students.

The Middle Years Implementation Management Group (MYIMG) has been set up to coordinate planning for professional learning, policy development, infrastructure works, and the development of teaching resources.

The Teacher Guide to The Middle Years and the Staffing Matters Q&A provide further information and address a range of the initial questions teachers may have, such as professional learning opportunities and staffing concerns.

The Guide to Planning, Teaching, Assessing, and Reporting Learning in the Middle Years of Schooling is a starting point that assists teachers to develop teaching and learning experiences for adolescent learners.. more 

Professional Learning

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has an ongoing commitment to the professional development of teachers and school staff. Professional learning for Middle Years best practice will be ongoing. Since 2001, DET has provided teachers with professional support with teaching and learning in the Middle Years approaches. A number of teachers have attended workshops, forums and conferences focussing on teaching and learning practices in the Middle Years.

Primary school teachers have substantial skills and expertise in developing and implementing integrated approaches to planning, teaching, assessing and reporting the learning of their students. Some secondary and primary schools have worked together to share their experiences and knowledge about Middle Years. 

Professional learning for teachers of students in the Middle Years is taking place throughout 2007. Every school will be resourced to provide teachers with opportunities for individual professional development. Wherever possible, it will occur on-site in schools, to minimise disruption to teachers and their students.

School principals have been provided with details of upcoming professional learning opportunities. The professional learning program at each school will enable teachers to form and sustain communities of practice. These communities of practice will support teachers in reflecting on personal practice, sharing best practice with each other and learning effective Middle Years teaching and learning strategies.

The Teaching, Learning and Standards team will work with schools to identify their professional learning priorities and to plan a professional learning program for staff. Teaching, Learning and Standards will also facilitate workshops to develop, moderate and validate rigorous and authentic assessment tasks for use with Middle Years students (Assessment for Learning Project). Quality teaching and learning programs will be developed, implemented and evaluated, and will then be included on the NT Schools’ Portal and Explore NT for all teachers to access.

Teachers will be able to access information about centrally provided professional learning through the online Calendar of Professional Learning Events.

Professional Development Plans

In consultation with teachers, each school will develop a professional development plan that will determine teacher professional development needs for the implementation of the Middle Years approach to teaching and learning. The plan will outline professional development activities and support ongoing professional development activity in coming years. Professional development modules for delivery in schools will be made available through school-based and regional workshops from Semester 2, 2006.

Examples of modules include:

  • Integrated Curriculum

  • Vocational Learning

  • Meeting Learning Needs in the Middle Years

  • Hands-on Teaching and Learning

  • Using the NTCF in the Middle Years and Year 10

  • Independent Learning for Students in the Middle Years.

Career Pathways

The question for many teachers will be ‘how does this affect me and my future career as a teaching professional?’.

The introduction of the Middle Years will enhance existing career pathways, particularly for teachers who broaden their pedagogical expertise.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) has been consulted in the development and implementation of the Middle Years in government schools. DET and the AEU have worked together to address the appropriate clauses in the current Teachers and Educators Certified Agreement that deal with the management of change, and the filling of vacancies arising from substantial change processes (clauses 19 and 20).

A requirement for teaching in the Middle Years is that a teacher has experience and/or qualifications in teaching students from Years 7 to 9 and capacity to teach across at least two subject areas. On applying for transfer, all teachers will be asked to identify subjects that they are able to teach so that principals make informed choices when identifying applicants who are suitable to fill vacancies at their schools.

Mobility

A teacher mobility policy linked to implementation of the Middle Years has been developed.

For a fixed period following implementation of the Middle Years in a particular school, teachers who transferred to the school and wish to transfer out, will be afforded priority status.

Any teacher who moves to the Middle Years or the Senior Years environment may decide subsequently to request a transfer when a suitable vacancy arises. DET proposes to accommodate such requests at the earliest opportunity.

For More Information

Specific information for teachers can be found on the DET staff website.

In addition, a dedicated Human Resources Director is available to provide support during the implementation of the Middle Years, including answers to questions relating to staff wellbeing and employment conditions.

School Staff Hotline: 8901 4995

Your school principal will also be able to provide further information.