STAFF at a local high school will begin the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) four-day foundation training in September, to increase engagement with students, improve their self-regulation, growth and academic achievement.
The Berry Street Education Model is offered as a suite of structured professional development, consultation and mentoring programs for school leaders and teachers.
Every staff member at Glossop High School will take part in the training, to help them work with students and families to better support their individualised needs.
Glossop High School senior campus student wellbeing leader Donna Safralidis said the school’s plan to take part in the initiative has been in place since 2017.
“The initiative is part of our visible learning journey,” she said.
“We really want to embed this culture in our learning and practices at school and to do so, every staff member – from teaching staff to administration and canteen staff – need to be trained and under the initiative.”
Mrs Safralidis said the BSEM training will help address common concerns.
“Some mainstream teaching approaches have in the past failed to meet the needs of students individually – there are some students who weren’t motivated enough to come to school,” she said.
“Teachers and staff face challenges with dealing with the diversity of students needs and through the training, staff will be able to learn how to overcome those challenges and be there for students individually.”
Mrs Safralidis said staff will undergo two days of training this year and two days next year.
“Each day staff are taught something different,” she said.
“We’re doing it slowly because we really want to finish embedding each domain before we get on to the next one.
“First off we will learn about the body and then about relationships.
“Once we get a full understanding of the two and are able to implement the strategies, then we will move on to stamina and learning.”
Mrs Safralidis said surrounding schools have taken up the same initiative.
“I know that the staff at Berri and Monash Primary Schools will also undergo the training – which is fantastic – because then by the time the students at those schools get to Glossop High School, they’ll understand it,” she said.
“Wellbeing begins everywhere and it’s vital for staff to ensure each student is well supported, connected and engaged in learning.
“We want to set our students up for life.”