From the Principal

Raising the eyes

In the sporting domain, commentators often refer to gifted players having the ability to ‘read the play’ or ‘seeing the play develop before others can react’. The capacity to have strong peripheral vision and game sense can differentiate between the good performers and the outstanding performers.

Similarly, in education we need to have some sort of vision for the future. During the week I was asked to comment on an initiative between schools, industry and the state government. I was happy to lend support to a potential partnership opportunity to broaden the horizon for students in our state https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-schools-tafe-to-teach-driverless-automation-in-australian-first-ng-b88791133z

The rhetoric of schools ‘preparing students for jobs that have not yet been invented’ is sometimes quoted. In a rapidly changing society it is difficult to predict linear employment pathways for our students. It is sometimes said that today’s students will have multiple careers during their working life so part of the role of schools is to provide an environment conducive to developing a range of transferable skills.

The importance of literacy and numeracy is fundamental to any good education. However, the potential employment market is now asking for a wider range of competencies including:

• Problem solving
• Creativity
• Communications
• Teamwork
• Financial literacy
• Digital literacy
• Critical thinking
• Presentation skills

All these components assist in a good holistic education for our young people. We live in an exciting and dynamic time.

Robert Henderson

Principal