The Power of Explicit Teaching
Supporting Every Student to Succeed
This term, our focus continued in the ‘Explicitly Teach’ phase of our Instructional Model, bringing powerful, evidence-informed teaching strategies to the forefront of every classroom. Through our Priority Practices of pre-teaching vocabulary, modelling and think-alouds, chunking, worked examples and co-construction, teachers are making learning clear, engaging and accessible for every student.
Making Learning Clear and Accessible
Explicit teaching helps students build understanding with confidence by making the knowledge, language and processes they need visible. Teachers carefully introduce new learning, model their thinking, break complex ideas into manageable steps and gradually support students to take greater independence in their learning.
Our Priority Practices explained:
| Pre-teaching Vocabulary | Introducing and unpacking key words before learning removes barriers and helps students understand new concepts, participate in discussion and retain what they learn. |
| Modelling and Think-Alouds | Teachers make their thinking visible, showing students how to approach new learning and the processes involved in successful work. |
| Worked examples and Co-construction | Students first see fully worked examples, then compare examples and gradually build solutions with their teacher before moving towards independent practice. |
| Chunking | Complex learning is broken into small, manageable steps so students can process new ideas without overload, make connections and build understanding step by step. |
Voices of our Students
As we continue through the Explicitly Teach phase of our Instructional Model, we’re proud to share reflections from students at Hampton Park Secondary College about the learning strategies helping them succeed:
“Learning the key words first makes the lessons much easier to understand and gives me more confidence to participate in class. It helps me focus on learning the concepts instead of getting stuck on unfamiliar words.”
– Year 12 Student, Avani S.
“In Maths, my teacher helps us solve equations by explicitly teaching each step. We often complete missing parts of equations before going through the answers together. Solving on whiteboards helps us think actively, build confidence and receive immediate feedback.”
– Year 9 Student, Gurmehar SK
Our Instructional Model continues to shape the way we teach and learn, ensuring every student benefits from a consistent, engaging and high-quality learning experience.
Click the link below for further information:
Instructional Model – Hampton Park Secondary College
Hand On Learning Program
The first half of Term 3 has been another busy and productive one in Hands on Learning, with students continuing to build our HoL Precinct and develop their practical skills. We have been working on a range of projects, including outdoor workbenches, drawers for our kitchen space and pigeonholes for students to store their belongings. One of the most exciting additions has been our gorgeous new feature table, which will sit at the centre of the precinct and provide a place for students to come together, share a meal, reflect and connect. Another fantastic update has been the installation of a sink, making washing hands, dishes and paint brushes so much easier. A huge thank you to our maintenance team for helping make this possible!
Alongside these projects, students have continued to work together, take ownership of tasks and contribute to making the HoL Precinct a space that feels truly theirs. It has been wonderful to see the space continuing to come together and to watch students build confidence, practical skills and positive relationships along the way.