The University of Newcastle is partnering with Cessnock High School on a unique four-year research project that aims to improve outcomes for its students and teachers.
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Project lead, Dr Drew Miller from the university's Teachers and Teaching Research Centre, says the overarching goal is to lift students' academic achievement through a holistic focus on quality teaching, assessment, and school culture.
"It is wonderful to be building a relationship with Cessnock High to take a really deep, analytical and long-term approach to the pursuit of improvement and excellence," Dr Miller said.
"The initiatives we are implementing will support the leadership team to enhance staff morale and culture, further develop teaching efficacy and embed a shared vision of high-quality practice at the school.
"We will be providing ongoing support for the school's work in achieving their academic, social and community targets over the next four years."
Central to the project is the university's Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) professional development approach that has been shown through successive research programs to improve the quality of teaching, teacher morale and school culture.
The results of a randomised controlled trial in 2020 found that it improved student achievement in mathematics by 25 per cent.
Throughout term four of 2020 and the first semester of 2021, all teachers at Cessnock High are being trained in QTR, with the university providing ongoing support in implementation and evaluation of the program and other initiatives designed to support teachers and create wide-scale academic and social benefits.
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Cessnock High School principal Peter Riley said the school's staff are committed to holistic improvement that will benefit the entire school and wider community.
"We are aiming to develop a strong culture of educational achievement at Cessnock High - a culture that celebrates success and excellence among our students and our staff," Mr Riley said.
"By targeting and focusing on quality teaching, improved leadership and building a positive school culture we aim to increase engagement in education, resulting in improved attendance, retention and attainment rates for students.
"I see this as a real opportunity to create long-term change and improve equity in our region.
"As our students grow into young adults, we want to see more of them staying on to complete the HSC, more going on to pursue further education through TAFE and university, and more opportunities for them in the workforce.
"Having students more engaged will further develop the learning relationship between staff and students and have a positive impact on the classroom learning environment.
"Over the next four years we hope to see our students engage in education in a way that can help to break generational cycles of disadvantage.
"That's what we're aiming for by partnering with the university and the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre."
Through the university's recently-launched Quality Teaching Academy, these tailored whole-school support services are now available for teachers across Australia.
