From the Director of Pedagogy and Innovation

Parent Forum - The Future of Learning    

 As we etch closer to Easter and the upcoming term break it is a reminder of how much we have done this term, and in particular the growth and changes in our Year 7 students. Part of my teaching load is years 7 – 11 RAVE which gives a chance for deep discussion, healthy questioning of assumptions and opportunities for students to advocate for their positions on particular themes or topics. 

It has been a fun, though sometimes confronting time as I have given students the chance to answer questions like ‘what is the point of school?’ and ‘The best things teachers can do to help is…’ The responses students have to these questions vary greatly but across the 12 – 17 year old age bracket one thing is very clear: Students want to be known by teachers, as a learner and as an individual. This is unsurprising. I have no doubt that many parents and even grandparents can remember a particular teacher they felt a connection with and appreciation for. The challenge for teachers is how can we do this when we teach up to 180 students each week. If we were to calculate the number of minutes per student teachers get one-to-one, we would see we need to think about it differently. 

In my piece last week, I wrote about the recent trip to Canberra with the Future Schools Alliance and its impact on the way we think about the current schooling model. I also added we would be advertising for ways for parents to speak into this space and give voice to how your child is finding the current schooling model. 

Please scan the QR code if you are interested in participating in a forum on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 to discuss how the Year 7 experience can be radically different to the model that is currently being offered. Mr Coote and I will be talking about some of the feedback from students and teacher, what we are hoping to achieve through this new model and how it will fit in with the rest of the school. 

All families from the Junior and Senior Schools are very welcome. 

Mr Chris Sanders

Director of Pedagogy and Innovation