31 March 2021

In a first for Victorian education jurisdictions, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has initiated a pilot certification program for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALTs) as an explicit strategy to support teachers to progress their careers while remaining in the classroom, where they can have the greatest impact on student learning.

Executive Director Jim Miles says MACS wants to better recognise and empower its lead classroom teachers.

‘National HALT Certification is a voluntary and portable process that recognises and promotes quality classroom teaching’, he said.

‘The program provides opportunities for senior teachers to reflect on their practice and, through rigorous judgment, provides a reliable indication of quality teaching that can be used to acknowledge teachers at the Highly Accomplished and Lead career stages of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

‘HALTs will lead from the classroom to improve student outcomes and impact the practice of colleagues. Their role is pivotal to helping build a culture of professional learning and growth in schools, where expertise is developed and shared, creating the best conditions for all teachers and students to flourish’, Mr Miles said.

In summary, the HALT program aims to:

• create a professional pathway of national significance
• raise the profile of the teaching profession
• build a professional growth culture
• facilitate collaboration through a HALT network that will focus on the sharing of expertise to enable others
• develop instructional leaders with externally validated credibility to lead conversations about improving professional practice and impact.

The pilot group of 12 HALTs have been awarded their certificates in a celebration at the Catholic Leadership Centre today (31 March).

The outcomes of the pilot program will be evaluated to inform an ongoing focus on instructional leadership at MACS.

Certification Celebration - March 31st, 2021

Media contact: Gerard Delaney on 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@macs.vic.edu.au