From the Principal

I am hopeful that some may have read our most recent Heritage Magazine and perhaps even cast their eye across the article where the importance of ‘next practice’ rather than ‘best practice’ and the notion of ‘failing forward’ are explored.  I am a firm believer that students need to be empowered to take risks with their learning, be encouraged to experiment and use their mistakes to enhance their growth and resilience. Nurturing a safe culture of learning and creativity is paramount. 

In an era where solving complex problems has never been more crucial, design thinking has emerged as a powerful framework that fosters innovation, promotes empathy and empowers students to consider challenges with a fresh perspective. 

At its core, design thinking is about empathy, where people are placed at the centre of problem-solving and solutions to complex problems are both meaningful and relevant. Design thinking also inspires creativity by challenging assumptions and promoting experimentation. Inherently collaborative, design thinking can also harness collective intelligence, leading to more robust and effective solutions.

Of particular interest to me, is the fact that design thinking recognises that the path to a solution is rarely linear; instead, it involves a continuous process of prototyping, testing and refining ideas allowing for continuous improvement and adaption. 

Extensive evidence of our students’ own design thinking has been showcased throughout the College this week. In the Secondary School, the Library has been filled with examples of such thinking, be it related to digital technologies through re-designed Fidget Cubes using coding fundamentals in Year 7 and robotic games in Year 8; or materials design involving wood through lamps, chess boards, darts cabinets and elaborate tables; or engineering projects involving model planes, powered skateboards, robotic hands; or materials design involving textiles through 3D ‘soft succulents’, Zipper Pouches from upcycled materials, Tote Bags demonstrating sustainable fashion understandings, or costume designs inspired by historical, cultural and social factors.

In Pre-Primary, students have learnt how to use Beebots, programming the robots to move to a specific word or number. In the Primary School, Year 1 students have been designing musical instruments made from regular household items; Year 3 students have been researching, planning, and designing marble-runs and are currently in the process of self-evaluating their works; Year 4 students have been creating dioramas of biomes; and Years 5 and 6 students have been engaged in a design thinking project challenging them to identify opportunities to use resources within the College in more sustainable ways.

Visitors to the College’s new Administration Building may have noticed the excellent student artwork currently being displayed in the foyer. I am pleased to report that the same foyer will also soon be adorned with a series of pieces showcasing our students’ design thinking. 

Daniel Mahon

Principal