From the Assistant Principal
PYP at Preshil
We had an extremely busy week last week with our IB verification visit as well as our involvement in the PYP Victorian Network Open schools week.
On Monday we began the week with 9 PYP teachers from Toorak College, Kunyung Primary, Glenroy West Primary and Surrey Hills Primary visiting our school. The focus for the visit was learning spaces with an emphasis on student agency.
We proudly toured our unique classrooms and spoke about how the learning environment supports our community of learners. There is always an immense sense of pride listening to the teachers and children speak about their teaching and learning. It is easy to take for granted the robustness of our curriculum and the strong relationship based environment that is fostered. As we walked in to each class there was an immense sense of pride of the truly progressive school that Preshil is.
As we moved from classroom to classroom there were many moments where we could share our deep philosophical beliefs about how children learn. Supporting a rich love of literacy does not find its way in pegged boxes where children can only choose from their coloured reading level. Our children have agency to choose the books as they wish. They may skim a book and decide on a book that is at level, one that they may like to have read to them by an adult or sibling or one that they have confidence in reading and have read before and would like to re- visit. This is just one example of how children's agency is valued and respected at Arlington in such simple ways.
Here is some feedback from the teachers who visited us
I want to thank you for your generosity in showing me around your beautiful school. I have been raving about it ever since. I saw so many new and innovative ways of approaching inquiry and I walked away with a commitment to learning more about Playworld and to share this with our staff.
Mostly, I want to say how much I admire the creativity, courage and commitment that was evident in everything you do.
and this...
I am writing to thank you for your time yesterday morning for the Open Schools Fortnight. My group of specialist teachers came back to school raving about the experience, the observations they made, the ideas it generated and were very appreciative of the openness of your teachers to share and engage with them.
Each person came back with an idea of something they wanted to try in their classrooms, particularly how to open their inquiries and use hands on investigative learning more effectively in the discovering process. They were in awe of the ability of your teachers to extract concepts and make connections to make the learning truly transdisciplinary (they also loved the way you incorporated and built learning off of novels!).
On Thursday and Friday we had our verification visit . Carolyn Withers and David Whitehead from the International Baccalaureate Organisation came to observe our school and meet with students, teachers and parents.
During their visit they carefully looked through our documentation to ensure that we are compliant with the many rigours of the Primary Years Programme, and positioned to be verified as a PYP School.
At the conclusion of this visit the PYP leadership team met with Carolyn and David to hear a preview of their findings, and as you might imagine, we were thrilled with their feedback. What struck them both was the strength of the relationships right across the Arlington community, how valued our children are, and how passionately our teachers talk about their programs.
Offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ensures that Preshil is a part of a vibrant community of schools and educators. There is terrific interest in Preshil, and a genuine appreciation of what we hold dear.
Play, PYP and Preshil
At Preshil we love to play and know that play is an important part of the learning and development of children. There are many different types of play and play can be serious work!
The Committee on the Rights of the Child (2013), states that 'play promotes the development of creativity, imagination, self-confidence, self-efficacy, as well as physical, social, cognitive and emotional strength and skills. Furthermore, because play is highly adaptive, it involves choice, promotes agency and provides rigorous opportunities to inquire into important concepts and personal interests.'
Play at Preshil is woven through the PYP's emphasis on inquiry-based learning and focus on independent learning. The PYP’s transdisciplinary themes offer authentic contexts for students to learn increasingly complex ideas about themselves and the world around them.
All families have access to their child's SeeSaw portfolio. This is a wonderful opportunity to join your child on their learning journey through the PYP Transdisciplinary Themes. These themes provide the opportunity to incorporate local and global issues into the curriculum.
Who We Are
Inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human
Where We Are In Place and Time
Inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and
migrations of humankind; the relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives
How We Express Ourselves
Inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic
How The World Works
Inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
How We Organise Ourselves
Inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organisations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment
Sharing The Planet
Inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
This natural way of learning develops the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond.
Child-led Meeting
Child -led Meetings will be held on
Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 September 4.00-7.00pm for Primary school children
and
Tuesday 3 September 3.00pm-6.00pm and
Wedensday 6 September 2.00pm-5.00pm for the Kindergarten children.
Bookings are now open on Compass.
Child-Led Meetings provide a unique opportunity for your child to celebrate their progress and share new understandings with the families. In preparation for the meeting, your child will select some of their learning to share with you on the day.
Teachers will be there to support the process if required, however, this experience is designed to develop a sense of ownership of and responsibility for the children’s learning, as well an opportunity to develop metacognition. You are welcome to stay longer with your child (beyond your ten minute time slot), however, teachers will be roaming and also supporting other children booked in for the same time slot and the next time slot.
When booking your time on Compass please select the teacher below to book with both teachers.
Lighthouse 5s - Clinton (this will create a meeting time for both Clinton and Cressida)
Lofties 6s & 7s - Paul (this will create a meeting time for both Paul and Talitha)
Sunroom 8s & 9s - Sophie (this will create a meeting time for both Sophie and Michael)
Peppercorns 10s & 11s -Victor (this will create a meeting time for both Victor and Rosie)
2020 enrolments
As we finalise 2020 enrolments and classes across all levels of the school, please let us know as soon as possible if you have a sibling who intends to enrol for next year.
Who do I contact?
As your child progresses through school, you may have concerns about their progress both academically and socially. Your first point of contact should always be your child's classroom or specialist teacher. You are welcome to make a time to talk to the teacher or meet with them personally to discuss and resolve any concerns.
Most concerns are resolved at a classroom level, however, if this is not the case or if the matter is more serious and needs higher level support please do not hesitate to contact me or Marilyn.
Natalie Jensen
Assistant Principal