From the Principal  

Contemporary Learning

For many of us adults, our schools were not too different from those attended by our parents and grandparents. Classrooms were identical with desks in rows, lots of books, copying from the board and a strong emphasis on listening to the trained ‘expert’ at the front. Of course there were little innovations that occurred.  I remember being devastated when the “newly invented” liquid paper was banned in my school. I also remember the smell of the sheets from the spirit duplicator, long before anyone had thought of the Xerox copier.  Of course we had already moved to pencils and biros from ink-wells and fountain pens but the holes were still in the desks. We were told that schools were about the 3 Rs – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (although I thought that was ridiculous as only one of them actually started with an R.)  The more important additional R was ‘remembering’ as survival depended on cramming for the one big exam at the end of the year. 

In the past twenty years education has started to change and the NSW Educational Standards Authority is rolling out new syllabus documents. The way that learning is assessed has also changed, beyond the formal examination. Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT is challenging the validity of the take home essay assignment for older students. The shape of the school curriculum and the skills required for contemporary students is starting to look different.  At Calrossy we use laptops, iPads, The HUB and a range of technology as tools to assist our development of knowledge and skills. Robotics and drone technology is being introduced. The curriculum has expanded to assist all students  to develop knowledge and understanding that will assist them as they learn and grow.

Apart from knowing things (and being able to use knowledge) the skills and capabilities that students are being required to develop include the following:

• Collaboration
• Cooperation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Organisation
• Problem Solving
• Self-Direction
• Social Responsibility
• Technology capability

Some of these things are hard to measure and can’t be allocated a grade.  However, they will be relevant to them, as they work with others, solve problems and grow up in our complex society. As our current students enter the workplace in the next decade, the sorts of skills and knowledge they will be expected to possess are related to this list.  Employers are looking to hire and use people possessing these skills in their workplaces. With data and knowledge so readily accessible through technology, students will be required to use and apply new literacies.  Whilst some of this is innovative, it remains blended with a continuing commitment to the long-term values of our School community. Good teaching will always be good teaching. One important quality not mentioned that remains essential for our learners is Wisdom – in relationships, in working together, in using the technology and becoming a responsible global citizen. 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

David Smith

Principal