Pacific Lutheran College High Ability Learners Teacher Toolkit

Pacific Lutheran College teachers have a unique opportunity to work with University of New England academics to develop an online teacher toolkit to extend high-ability learners at the college.

The toolkit will be designed specifically for use at the College. and teacher experiences using the toolkit will form the basis of a research publication in an academic journal and at academic conferences. This action research project will run over three years.

Teachers have embraced the joint action research project as an exclusive initiative to provide stretch for academically able students in the classroom.  The project launched during the professional learning week at the start of the 2023 academic year. P-12 teaching staff spent a day collaborating with leading UNE academics Dr Genevieve Thraves and Sarah Oluk, who will be tailoring the toolkit to the needs of highly able students at PLC.

Dr Genevieve Thraves is a Lecturer in Learning and Teaching, and Inclusive Education at the University of New England. Genevieve has taught in Middle and High schools in the Northern Territory (NT) context, and before joining UNE, held the position of Teaching and Learning Officer (Gifted and Talented) with the NT Department of Education. Sarah Oluk is an academic in the Learning, Learners and Teaching team at UNE. She is a lecturer in Inclusive Education at the University of New England and has a particular interest in twice exceptionality and underachievement.

Dr Thrave’s team has recently expanded the Victorian Department of Education’s high-ability toolkit, and we recognise the action research project as an auspicious opportunity to work with distinguished leaders in the field.

Mrs Jo Belchamber, Head of Learning Middle College