Evidence Based Practice & Research
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Parents are actively involved in many of the Research Advisory Groups

 

Research at MLC School

MLC School undertakes regular research and evaluation projects in a systematic way in order to improve on current practice and inform planning and innovation.   By listening to parents, students, teachers and the community we are able to develop professional knowledge about teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment, pedagogy, school organization and structures.

MLC School is committed to:

  • School based research using a variety of research strategies and processes
  • Developing and enhancing the notion of evidence based practice
  • Building research capacity by engaging both teachers and students in the research processes
  • Engaging both internal and external researchers and organizations
  • Strengthening professional partnerships with other schools and tertiary institutions
  • Communicating and sharing evidence and findings within the school and the wider community at local, national and international level

 

Research Advisory Groups

The Research Advisory Groups act as a touchstone both in research planning and as an audience to the research. At the conclusion of research the findings in the form of a report is presented to the Research Advisory Group and to the appropriate audience.

  • Principal Mrs Barbara Stone
  • School Chaplain
  • Researcher in Residence Dr Susan Groundwater-Smith
  • Student Representatives
  • Parent Representatives

 

Research Projects

  • Life Coaching

Recently, 50 Year 11 students took part in either individual or group coaching by MLC School teachers and counsellors who had been trained in coaching psychology methodologies using a program specifically developed by Dr Suzy Green (The University of Sydney). Statistical evaluation suggested that Life Coaching, in an educational context, is a “hope enhancing” intervention and that teaching hopeful thinking during senior school has the potential to increase students’ goal pursuits in all areas of their lives, leading to more positive emotions, greater psychological adjustment and more social support. More teachers have taken part in training to enable us to offer this program more widely. Click here for more information.


  • Student Voice ~ Girls in the Know

In the further development of our Bullying and Harrassment policy students gathered information from focus groups, School Climate Survey data and discussions on the School intranet regarding how bullying is perceived and its incidence within the School. Posters were developed for display around the School, an electronic ‘bully box’ for reporting bullying was introduced, teaching resources were developed for use in House Time and students redesigned the Respecting Difference brochure. Students in Senior School have been trained in mediation and a new initiative, SMS (Student Mediation Services).

 

  • Other Research

    • Innovation and Best Practice Project 1999
    • Review of the Broken Hill Experience 2004, 2003, 2002
    • Year 9 Laboratory 2006, 2005
    • Review of IT @ MLC 1999, 2001, 2003
    • Review of Middle School 2001, 2002
    • Review of learning in Maths, Science, English and TAS 2000, 2001, 2002
    • What makes a good school? Review of learning K - 5, 2002
    • Review of Middle School Mentor System 2004
    • Review of Pastoral Care in the Senior School 2004
    • Leadership for Senior Students 2004
    • Language Learning Y5 - Y10 2004
    • The Genesis Project 2003 - 2004
    • Safe Schools Project 2005
    • Life Coaching for HSC Students 2005
    • Girls in the Know 2005

If you are interested in the findings of any of the above reports feel free to contact Community Relations at MLC School.