a word from leadership

Student Agency - what is it?

"The school leaving exam should have just one question, which should read:

Show how you can work with others to combine and use your knowledge to create change that will generate better outcomes for people and the planet, while doing what you consider to be the right thing.

That's it."

(Charles Leadbeater, Learning on Purpose, February 2022)

As a parent, or an adult, or a grandparent, or an educator or a professional...what's your response to this statement?

For us at Good Shepherd, we are excited by this challenge. Our work in embedding our Learning Principles into our learning framework supports this statement. Our Learning Principles are statements of belief about how we believe children learn now...and into the future.

At Good Shepherd we aim to grow our students as agents of their learning. What does this mean?

To quote international author and advisor on innovation, Charles Leadbeater (who we have worked with over the past 3 years.)

• Student agency is about pursuing learning for a purpose. It is about understanding the connection between the why and how of learning.
• Agency does not depend on any one body of knowledge. It becomes the way to integrate knowledge from across disciplines...to see challenges and opportunities from many vantage points.
• Students bring learning to life. Students can show what is possible when they are given more scope to design the way they learn and what they learn about.
• It is impossible for students to develop agency unless teachers themselves are agents, trusted by the school and the wider system to craft and design learning with students.
• Innovative agency schools are providing students with a richer array of ways to show who they are and what they can do.

Connected Schools Worship

On Tuesday Year 4-6 students from the 3 Connected Primary schools attended worship with the Year 7's from Endeavour College. Our school student leaders, action group and this year some student musicians participated in the worship. Our students represented themselves and our school beautifully. 

There was much excitement as the Year 6 and 7 students caught up during morning tea!

We celebrate every opportunity to gather together as Connected Schools as we share the values of #Collaborate #Create #Celebrate.

Maths Week (Week 6)

Over the years we have had a focus on de-cluttering our calendar to approach our learning and highlights of the year in a purposeful way!

One small way to solve this problem has been to have a rotation over 3 years of Maths/Science/Book Week. This year we are celebrating Maths Week with the theme: Maths in Our World.

During week 6 students will be involved in a treasure hunt with their buddies; they will walk around the school in their classes solving the problems on decorated classroom door displays and see and hear staff reading books. 

Camps at Good Shepherd

Frequently asked question: How can I prepare my child for the camp? 

Being positive about the experience yourself is an important part of the preparation. 

Sharing your feelings and talking about strategies to overcome fears is one way. 

Talking about new learning opportunities and experiences as points of growth as a person. 

• Practice packing their bag and sleeping bag 

• Sleep in a sleeping bag at home 

• Support independent showering

As Principal, five things I'm grateful for this week 

Rest

Julianne and I enjoyed a couple of weeks of leave at the commencement of the term.  This took the form of a quick road/camping trip through outback NSW and QLD.  I feel blessed by the opportunity to slow down briefly and enjoy the gift of time, to reflect, rest and recharge.

Connected Schools

A highlight of this week was the return of our annual Connected Schools worship and connection event.  Year 4 – 7 students from across our Connected Schools group – Good Shepherd, Golden Grove Lutheran, St Paul Lutheran and Endeavour College came together for worship and in fellowship to celebrate our unity and partnership.  It was an absolute joy to see students and staff brimming with excitement to connect and reconnect.

Thinking

I am grateful for our educators who inspire thinking and creativity in our learners.

Congratulations to our Curiosity friends who were today, announced the South Australian winners of the National ‘Little Scientist’ competition, in recognition of their exploration and inquiry into ‘air’.  This is a significant achievement supporting our whole-of-school focus on developing a ‘culture of thinking’ in our learners.

Volunteers

I’m grateful for the many parents, grandparents and friends who in very generous, humble and often inconspicuous ways, are continuing to support the programs and activities of Good Shepherd.  Examples include the incredible work of the Men 'n' Minors Camp planning team, in-house volunteers (albeit still an area of school life that has some imposed restrictions), the parents working together to explore and promote new and creative opportunities for care and connection in our school, and importantly, those who are sharing Jesus’ love and grace through hospitality to school families facing hardship, tragedy and/or trauma.  A heart-felt thank you.

Connection

I'm grateful for the reinstatement of countless activities and events that promote connection and collaboration. Whole school community chapel on Wednesday’s, learning through camps and excursions, Friday coffee for parents, the welcome of parents into the school through a focus on the sharing and celebration of learning, buddy programs, interschool sports, parent workshops and the senior musical showcase that is set to delight audiences at the close of the term – a quick list off of the top of my head – there are no doubt numerous more examples!  Whilst we continue to live with COVID and are required to conform to a range of regulations and restrictions in support of community health and safety, I’m grateful that we are making every effort to maximize opportunities for connection and collaboration.  The positive impact on our students and the community more broadly, is becoming very evident.

David Wilksch  

Principal