Introducing the Berry Street Education Model at St Pius X!

On our recent Pupil Free Day (Monday 28 April), our staff engaged in a full day of professional learning centred around the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). This is an evidence-based approach designed to support the social-emotional and academic growth of every student.

The Berry Street Education Model provides strategies that help students build resilience, emotional regulation, strong relationships, and a positive sense of self — skills that are essential for successful learning and wellbeing. It is based on the latest research in trauma-informed practice, positive education, and developmental psychology.

By adopting this model, we are making a whole-school commitment to:

• Supporting the wellbeing of all students
• Building strong, respectful relationships between students and staff
• Creating predictable and supportive classroom environments
• Helping students develop self-awareness, persistence, and emotional regulation skills
• Ensuring that all children, no matter their background or needs, are given every opportunity to thrive
  
  

This work is a key focus of our Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) for 2025 and marks the beginning of a two-year strategic implementation process across our school. Throughout this time, we will be embedding the Berry Street strategies into all aspects of teaching, learning, and wellbeing to ensure a lasting and meaningful impact for our students.

In the coming weeks and terms, we will be sharing more information through our newsletter about how the Berry Street Education Model is being implemented in our classrooms. We will also provide practical ideas for how you, as parents and carers, can support us in strengthening these important skills at home.

We are excited about the positive impact this approach will have on our school community and look forward to partnering with you on this important journey.

PARENT INFORMATION FOR Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)

Over the coming weeks, our students will be participating in the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). These assessments are an important part of our school’s approach to tracking student growth and informing teaching and learning.

The PAT assessments focus on two key areas: Reading and Mathematics. They are administered online during school hours in a familiar classroom environment. Each test is designed to be adaptive, meaning that as students answer questions, the test adjusts in difficulty to better suit each child’s individual level.

The purpose of the PAT assessments is not to "pass or fail" students, but rather to give teachers a clear snapshot of where each child is at in their learning journey. The results help us:

• Identify student strengths and areas for growth
• Plan targeted learning programs
• Monitor progress over time
• Ensure that all students are being appropriately challenged and supported
  
  

We value the information these assessments provide as they enable us to tailor our teaching to meet the needs of every learner. If you have any questions about PAT testing or your child’s progress, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to help every student achieve their best.

Christine Nunes

Assistant Principal