More than 300 staff from Callaghan College, Newcastle's largest public high school, have partnered with industry experts to be inspired by real world application of skills on Tuesday 30 January.

As part of the NSW Department of Education’s School Development Day, college faculties worked with 16 individual specialists in a two-hour masterclass.

Principal Kylee Owen said the college executive had designed afternoon sessions where teachers could apply skills and convert what they learned into innovative classroom activities.

“This unique learning opportunity for our staff is designed to support the new curriculum, in particular the focus on how we teach,” Ms Owen said.

“By partnering with local experts, our staff are exposed to current practices and the associated skillsets that are relevant for our students’ success in reaching their goals.”

Members of the college’s science faculty visited Newcastle University’s Innovation Hub, performing arts staff attended a production briefing for The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Civic Theatre and industrial arts staff learned how to make Aboriginal tools using natural resources at Glenrock Reserve.

The partnerships focused on real-world learning and provided some of Newcastle’s leading businesses, community programs and learning institutions with the opportunity to showcase the growth in career opportunities available to young people in the region.

“At Callaghan, we value industry and education partnerships as vital members of our college learning community as we collaborate to empower every learner,” Ms Owen said.

Callaghan College has more than 2500 students from Year 7 to 12 attending Jesmond (Senior), Waratah and Wallsend campuses.

The event was supported by the University of Newcastle, City of Newcastle Council and Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Masterclasses

• Innovation Hub (I2N) and problem solving - the Science Faculty was introduced to Newcastle University’s Integrated Innovation Network and problem solving techniques for young thinkers and creators.
• Rocky Horror Show Civic Theatre production briefing - Performing Arts staff learned production skills and went behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous live musicals, currently touring at Civic Theatre.
• Crystalbrook Kingsley sustainable hospitality practices - Home Economics staff toured facilities, with a focus on ergonomic design and recycling, and a session with the Head Chef on commercial culinary innovation and techniques.
• High Tea with Mrs Woo, fashion design - Textiles teachers learned Kintsugi for clothing and a gold mending workshop with a deeper discussion and practical examples of circular economy practice at the full-circle studio in Islington.
• Urban Murals and Community Art - Ellie Hannon upskilled Visual Artists staff in creating art in community spaces, with a focus on murals, from inception through to final exhibition.
• Ad Production Creative Director - Blair Panozza worked with English teachers on creating and producing short films for different media channels, using commercial techniques.
• University of Newcastle Institute for Regional Futures, Research and Innovation Division - helped build the capacity of Careers Advisors in the latest in employable skillsets, employment trends and job opportunities for students.
• Leadership problem solving techniques - the senior executive team worked with Steve Paterson, an expert in leadership and emergency response, to gain insights into problem solving in large scale organisations.
• Aboriginal tools and construction techniques - Peter Levan guided Industrial Arts staff to learn skills in traditional construction methods making Aboriginal tools using natural resources at Glenrock Reserve.
• Mathematics Growth Team - collaborated with experts from the NSW Department of Education on the latest research findings for high impact problem solving strategies for maths students.
• Intergenerational connections - Wellbeing staff workshoped ideas with Prof Phil Morgan, Deputy Director, Research Centre for Active Living and Learning, UoN; Geriantologist Dr Clarissa Sagi; and the Smith Family.
• Awabakal cultural tour of Newcastle foreshore - involved bringing to life the Aboriginal Education curriculum with local experts from the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council.
• Inclusive learning with PCYC, TAFE and Hunter Multicultural Communities - Special Education staff made the most of local programs that enhance learning opportunities for all students.
• Strengthening inclusive practices for all families - collaborated with local Refugee Hub and STARTTS Hunter Outreach, the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors – for support staff working directly with families.
• University of Newcastle Health and Physical Education - UoN Nexus Team briefed PDHPE staff on the latest in health literacy, and the impact on health outcomes for young people.
• Newcastle Dark Histories tour - HSIE teachers’ improved their knowledge of local legends and city environment changes through the ages.