From the Leadership Team
Julia Padgett, Deputy Principal
The Learning Pit
Recently, while bush-bashing up a mountain with a group of Year 10 students, I was reminded that school camps are challenging. You're away from home, facing new and sometimes difficult tasks and, in our case, carrying heavy packs.
Five years ago, I heard a memorable talk at the University of Melbourne from James Nottingham, author of The Learning Pit. The 'Learning Pit', as coined by James, is a concept which provides a way for students and teachers to articulate how they feel during the learning process.
Much of what he said resonated with my own beliefs of what learning is like. Learning is hard. It can be confusing, and it can be frustrating.
As teachers, we need to help students feel more comfortable about taking on challenges.
What I especially like about James Nottingham’s analogy is that it teaches students that they will not stay in the ‘Learning Pit’ for long. And, more importantly, that there are things they can do to get themselves out of it.
At Kilvington, we support students through the ‘Learning Pit’ by developing their attitude, skills and knowledge. Our wellbeing and pastoral programs foster grit and determination, open-mindedness, and a growth mindset – all key qualities when you are in the ‘Learning Pit’.
Through our curriculum, we develop skills to help students think critically, solve problems, and collaborate. Finally, improving knowledge enables students to make connections, describe and explain concepts, and synthesise information.
All of this helps them to succeed.
Learning experiences happen in every environment, not just in the classroom. At the Year 10 Camp at Eildon, students faced many challenges, including setting up tents, cooking on a portable stove, and navigating tasks. But these challenges provided moments of personal growth and achievement. Our students learned from them and can be proud.
PARENT RESOURCE
Challenging parents to support learning at home
Staff news
Maree Locco, Science Teacher and Dean of Wellbeing-Barrett, and Kylie Burns, PE and Health Teacher, will be taking Long Service Leave in Term 3. Emily Austin will be Acting Dean of Wellbeing-Barrett in Term 3.
Bree Moore, Junior School Learning Support Assistant; Alice James, Head of Teaching and Learning; Eleanor Szpak, Geography Teacher; and Stephanie Sardellis, Mathematics Teacher, will all be commencing Parental Leave at the start or during Term 3.
In Term 3, replacing Steph Sardellis, we will welcome Vicki Liveriadis as Mathematics Teacher in the Senior School. Vicki has taught Mathematics at Caulfield Grammar School, Firbank Grammar School and Mount Waverley Secondary College. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mathematics from RMIT and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne.
We will also welcome Sam Braun who will be replacing classes of Maree Locco and Alice James. Sam is currently teaching at Melbourne Grammar School and has also taught at a range of independent schools including Korowa Anglican Girls' School, Caulfield Grammar School, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar and Camberwell Grammar School. She is a VCAA Biology Assessor and has presented at the VCE Psychology STAV Conference. Sam has a Bachelor of Science (Psychology/Biochemistry) from Swinburne University and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) from Deakin University.
Lisa Hart-Matusewicz will replace Bree Moore as Junior School Learning Support Assistant commencing Term 3. Lisa currently works as Education Support Staff at East Bentleigh Primary School.