Teacher Insights from Catalyst

Transforming Teaching Through Catalyst with St Patrick's Primary School

Episode Overview
In this episode, we sit down with staff from St Patrick’s Primary School Bega, a school that has embraced the Catalyst initiative to transform teaching and learning. From instructional programs to leadership strategies, we explore how this school has aligned its practices to create a knowledge-rich, student-centered environment.
School-Wide Impact
Catalyst Learnings
How Catalyst has influenced school-wide practices.
Implementation of instructional programs: Reading Mastery, Spelling Mastery, InitialLit, and CMC supplemented with units developed in partnership with Ochre.
Emphasis on a knowledge-rich curriculum: Teaching deeper, not broader, while meeting outcomes.
Curriculum beyond DI Programs
School Routines & Behaviour
Creating Consistency
Aligning expectations around routines and behaviour.
Tools and strategies: Behaveability (Ian Luscombe), scripted routines
Teaching Practice
Teachers share their experiences and reflections on Catalyst’s impact.

Leading HITP from the classroom with Zoe Cawdron & Lauren Maher

In this episode, CECG teachers Zoe Cawdron and Lauren Maher unpack the impact of Catalyst on their teaching practice, discussing:
Implementing effective classroom routines, attention signals, and engagement norms
Leading from the classroom through their Sharing Best Practice vocabulary presentation
Using assessment data to tailor instruction, support struggling readers, and extend learning opportunities
This episode offers practical strategies for educators seeking to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through evidence-informed approaches.

High Impact Instruction Conversations with Dr Greg Ashman

In this episode, Dr Greg Ashman talks about:
Clarendon College’s consistent record of high academic achievement
The role of homework and study methods in supporting student success
Insights into Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction
How Cognitive Load Theory can inform classroom practice
'Differentiation or Differentiated Instruction’
His PhD research in Instructional Design
Inquiry Learning
Greg is Deputy Principal at Ballarat Clarendon College in Victoria, and the author of three books, including The Power of Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction. He also writes a popular Substack newsletter, Filling the Pail. This conversation offers practical insights for educators keen to apply evidence-informed strategies and deepen their understanding of how students learn best.

Harnessing the Science of Learning with Dr Nathaniel Swain

In this episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain talks about:
Today's educational landscape
His classroom experiences and how teachers can leverage the Science of Learning fundamentals for success
How educators can strike the right balance between direct instruction and inquiry-based learning in a way that aligns with cognitive science
What makes feedback effective for learning, and some of the common mistakes teachers make when giving feedback
His new book Harnessing the Science of Learning
His charity Think forward Educators
This is a fascinating listen for both those well-versed in the Science of Learning and those eager to learn more

Reflections on Catalyst with Ross Fox

In this episode I chat with Ross Fox, director of Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, about his reflections on Catalyst from the last 4 years. After 8 years with CECG, he is stepping away from the role of Director to explore other opportunities. In our episode today we hear about Ross’ reflections about Catalyst, including its effectiveness, implementation and vision. We hear about:
His greatest achievement in the Catalyst space
Where he would like to see Catalyst in 5 years time
What he hopes for the future of HITP
What's next for him on the horizon
The use of time to be as effective and efficient as possible in schools

Implementing, Scaling & Embedding Catalyst with Erin White and Lisa Buckland

In this episode we learn about how the leadership team at St Mary Mackillop Catholic College in Canberra successfully implemented the components of Catalyst and scaled up for a two-campus school with over 2000 students. Erin White and Lisa Buckland share with us their insights about how they started their Catalyst journey and the importance of this work in the Secondary context, discussing what worked well and some of the challenges they faced along the way. We learn about where they prioritised, invested their time, supports and resources and how they keep momentum with over 200 staff. Everything shared has relevance for all school contexts, making this an interesting episode for all.  

English and Mathematics Primary Curriculum with Gillian Forrester and Jaime Kemp

In this episode Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) Teaching and Learning Officers, Jamie Kemp and Gillian Forrester, talk about CECG’s Primary Mathematics and English curriculum and how to effective implemented the lessons and use the accompanying resources. They answer some frequently asked questions about the CECG Mathematics and English materials and outline the importance of a low variance, knowledge rich curriculum.

Creating a Knowledge Rich Curriculum with Reid Smith

In this episode Reid speaks about curriculum, diving into Ochre Education and their partnership with CECG in developing high quality curriculum resources, prioritising Explicit Instruction and High Impact Teaching Practice.  Reid speaks about the importance of a knowledge rich, low variance curriculum and what we should be aspiring to. He also speaks about why Ochre and CECG have designed their lessons using slide decks and how to best teach with them.  
Resources mentioned 
Hirsch, E. D. (2016). Why knowledge matters: Rescuing our children from failed educational theories. Harvard Education Press. 
Ashbee, R. (2021). Curriculum: Theory, culture and the subject specialisms. Sage Publications. 
Australian Education Research Organisation. (2024). A knowledge-rich approach to curriculum design. https://www.edresearch.edu.au/research/research-reports/knowledge-rich-approach-curriculum-design 

High Impact Teaching Practice with Ingrid Sealey

This episode features Ingrid Sealy, Director and founder of TeachWell. Ingrid brings to light many aspects of High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP). Her wealth of knowledge and experience is extensive in this area. Ingrid is a HITP instructional coach working with some of our schools through the Catalyst program. We discuss the following:
How TeachWell is supporting CECG
How teachers can use videoing to improve instructional practice, and why it is so effective
The most effective instructional strategies for teaching
The type of reviews and how their importance
The number one thing that leaders can do to improve instructional practice in schools
How HITP practices allow students to take ownership (agency) in their learning
Ingrid references the following people, websites, organisations and readings:
Rebecca Birch, English teacher and Leader
Rebecca Birch
The Learning Scientists
The Learning Scientists
Podcast Episodes — The Learning Scientists
Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D.
Unleash the Science of Learning – Retrieval Practice
Welcome to AERO | Australian Education Research Organisation (edresearch.edu.au)

Implementing Direct Instruction with Sally Power and Susan Tighe

In this episode Sally Power (instructional leader and 5/6 teacher) and Susan Tighe (principal) discuss about Direct Instruction (DI) at St Joseph’s Primary School, Bombala with reference to InitialLit, Connecting Maths Concepts (CMC) and Spelling Mastery. We discuss:
Implementation of Direct Instruction programs
Advantages of a low variance curriculum and Direct Instruction
Misconceptions of Direction Instruction