From the Head of the Junior School

Our school have been talking a lot about how great learning can do good things. We’ve been talking about how authentic and relevant learning happens around things that our students care about. This makes the learning meaningful, and it’s what makes learning ‘stick’. Of course there are times when we just have to practice skills – times tables and spelling, and reading sounds and handwriting, learning to trade in subtraction and on it goes. These skills are the building blocks for meaningful learning, not the end goal in themselves.

The Stage 3 Boobooks have gotten passionate about koalas this year. Through a partnership with Sydney Zoo they have been watching a water tower with camera in our bush, gathering data and sending it to the scientists at the zoo. From here they have learned about WIRES and their work in the local area, native plants and of course, koalas. Learning about this topic has happened in Science, Geography, English and Maths.

They have raised money all year and ‘adopted’ a koala for each of the classes at Wentworth Falls. The students found out about a programme where you can donate and adopt a ‘patch’ of bush in the lower mountains. They sought permission to fundraise more for this. I allowed this, but challenged them to come up with a plan that would involve the Springwood campus and to raise awareness with the students there. After all, some important koala conservation is happening in their backyard!

Mrs Spohr, the Boobooks and a team of supportive parents led a fabulous day at Springwood campus this week. They served pancakes in the shape of koala faces, they did koala crafts, they made and sold bookmarks, they read beautiful stories about koalas to Pre K. There was a lovely donated prize for the colouring competition and lots of money raised. The goal of making $500 was more than realized.

Even more importantly, there was learning about a significant environmental issue. There was an appreciation for the children and staff at Springwood, and an understanding of this site as an integral part of our school (some children had never visited before). There was leadership amongst our Stage 3 children and friendships formed. There were parents who supported rich learning, and loved seeing the children have fun and learn. There was student led learning. This was a perfect example of great learning, doing good.

Rachael Newton

Head of Junior School