As part of Sydney Catholic Schools, we employ highly qualified and competent teachers who are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). To continuously improve our practice, teachers also work towards the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, from proficient teacher to lead teacher level.
The delivery of quality curriculum, pedagogy (teaching methods) and assessment is ensured by our system of schools through the provision of contemporary NESA accredited professional learning in a range of modes. Our Centres of Excellence offer online learning and external face-to-face courses, and timely, collaborative and relevant in-situ learning take place within the context of each classroom. Sydney Catholic Schools’ teachers are strongly committed to their ongoing learning, with many having completed, or are currently undertaking, postgraduate studies in areas related to curriculum, student wellbeing, special education, theology, pastoral care and leadership.
St Therese Catholic Primary School Padstow has a professional learning plan that supports the strategic direction of the school’s Annual Improvement Plan and identifies professional growth for teachers.
The staff meet once a week for professional learning as well as a few days during the year that are devoted to professional development about particular topics.
Our focus is on excellence in reading and writing which involves teachers identifying the specific learning needs of students and challenging them to improve their literacy skills.
We are part of the Mathematics Excellence and Expertise Teacher Education program designed to continually improve teacher capacity through guided planning, teacher observation, reflection and feedback structures.
St Therese provides an educational program based on, and taught in accordance with the NSW Board of Studies syllabuses for primary education. The Key Learning Areas (KLAs) are English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, History, Geography, Creative Arts and Personal Development, and Health and Physical Education.
St Therese is a Catholic systemic school administered by the Sydney Catholic School (SCS) Sydney. Curriculum, teaching and learning are informed by the priorities, goals and indicators outlined in New Horizons for Sydney Catholic Schools, in particular: Key Area 2 (Students and their Learning) and Key Area 3 (Pedagogy). Religious Education is a key responsibility of every Catholic school. Students at St Therese follow the Religious Education curriculum of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Staff members at the school are committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning in all facets of the school curriculum.
Stage teachers work collaboratively to plan, program and evaluate all aspects of teaching and learning. Mentoring and release time are provided to the stage teachers when substantial changes are being made to teaching programs. A school culture of accountability, review and improvement is firmly established. Annual target setting is used to improve overall school effectiveness. Data analysis is utilised and includes analysis of school based and external assessments.