Torch - Spring/Summer 2019

Message from the VP, Teaching & Learning

EQAO Fraser Institute Report and the Success of Math and Literacy in the Primary and Junior Grades

By Seonaid Davis

Seonaid Davis, VP, Teaching & Learning.

H avergal College has a long history of academic excellence and a commitment to the learning of both its students and its faculty. Havergal’s curriculum framework, teaching for understanding, requires teachers to plan units of study with a focus on the big ideas within disciplines and a clear articulation of what students must understand, know and be able to do with their learning. This requires teachers to develop specific expertise in different subject areas. In the elementary grades, teachers are responsible for multiple subject areas. To support their own learning and in recognition of the importance of job-embedded professional learning, Havergal has curriculum coordinators in the areas of Math, Literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and Arts integration. These teachers, all of whom are specialists, work with Junior School teachers to plan units and lessons, find resources and new approaches, review student assessment data and create a coherent and cohesive program in all the subject areas. The school also provides funding for teachers to complete additional qualification courses in different subject areas. This focus on building literacy and numeracy skills in all of our students has also meant that we have hired

additional learning support specialists who are able to provide specialized intervention programing in the areas of literacy and mathematics, as early intervention programing produces the best results for students to help them achieve grade level expectations. The results of our focus in literacy and numeracy have been captured in the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results. Although independent schools are not required to conduct these standardized tests, Havergal does so once every three years as a benchmark for both math and literacy learning at the school. In 2012, 2015 and 2018, Junior School students have written the Primary and Junior EQAO tests and have improved their overall scores each time. Their success has been captured in the Fraser Institute Report , which has ranked Havergal as the top elementary school in their 2013 and 2019 School Report Card with perfect scores of 10/10. The success in Literacy and Mathematics comes as no surprise to Havergal teachers and to coordinators, Nancy Tulli (Literacy) and Kathy Kubota-Zarivnij (Mathematics). Working together to provide a focused and coherent program has improved teacher confidence and student results.

The scores are a reflection of the progress we have made due to additional resources and the way we approach instruction inside the classroom, as well as outside of class, such as Math Discussions Club.

—Andy Lucacescu (Grade 6 Teacher)

In recent years, the transformation of our literacy program has enabled students to deepen their ability to respond more critically to various forms of text by exploring and questioning exemplars from real world contexts.

—Raeme Lockington (Grade 1 Teacher)

Math 100 % of core teachers have completed Part 1 of the Primary/Junior Mathematics Additional Qualification

Fraser Institute Elementary Report Card

9 core teachers have completed Part 2 of the Primary/Junior Mathematics Additional Qualification

6 core teachers have completed Part 3 of the Primary/Junior Mathematics Additional

2017–18 (2019 Report)

10/10 9.4/10 10/10

Qualification or their specialist qualification

2013–14 (2015 Report)

Literacy

5 core teachers have Part 1 of their Primary/Junior

1 core teacher has Part 2 of the Primary/Junior Reading Additional Qualification

5 core teachers have the Primary/Junior Reading Specialist additional qualification

2011–12 (2013 Report)

Reading Specialist Additional Qualification

42  HAVERGAL COLLEGE