From the Director of Innovative Pedagogies

Odyssey Showcase

Last week the John Cunningham Student Centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The much-anticipated student Showcase event lived up to its promise, highlighting not only the incredible projects our students have been working on but also the invaluable life lessons they have learned throughout their journeys. Over eight weeks the students had been examining the school experience and were asked to make case for a particular change, given how the world is changing. 

The event kicked off with an atmosphere of excitement as parents, teachers, and fellow students gathered to admire the wide array of projects. I was proud of the way that the students owned 100% of the night, and while as teachers we would have made some changes, the event was solely student designed and run. Part of the success of the night is what students learned through leading this event. Through this first attempt they realised there were some parts of the night that they would change significantly if they had the chance. This is learning in action - we focused on the process of learning, as well as a final product. Students arguably understood more about working in groups, dealing with disappointments and meeting deadlines than through other experiences in their school year. 

As teachers this was hard to watch at some points. We wanted to step in and solve problems for students, but this would have negated one of the main purposes of the project: helping students to learn from their experiences and manage situations for themselves. We did not leave them all alone to plan and organise the project and showcase, nor did we over-function and do it for them. Part of great teaching and learning is finding the dynamic balance between intervening as teachers and allowing students to work it out for themselves. Of course, the balance of this is as unique as each of our students. Since the event we have done a number of evaluations with parents, students and staff and the feedback we have received will be used to shape the next project and showcase. 

Thanks to everyone who came last Wednesday! 

Mr Christopher Sanders

Director of Innovative Pedagogies