Learning @ Brigidine

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” - Nelson Mandela

The best option when you come to a roadblock is to retrace a little, gain some direction and change direction. In our learning journey, roadblocks are inevitable and should not be a surprise, but rather anticipated, and as such, we need to have strategies ready to overcome them. Amongst all the roadblocks students face in their learning journey, there are three common ones that all students should be aware of and ready to deal with.

Distractions are things that capture our attention and take our attention from where it was going. These distractions take many forms in both the real world and with our technology and operate through all of our senses. If distractions are anticipated and we are aware of their impact, we can maintain our commitment to stay on track and keep the course. It is important that study spaces are free of obvious or anticipated distractions such as phones, pop-ups on our screens and music just to name a few. 

Commonly, people are very good at making excuses for their actions and often others provide them to us willingly.  This is absolutely true of the tasks and discipline involved in applying ourselves to our learning. The truth is that excuses are disempowering in our learning efforts and inhibit progress.  It is in the struggle that real learning happens and this always involves mistakes and getting back up. Of course, it is the action of “getting back up” that is the important thing, not the construction of an excuse to forgo the learning experience.

Engaging with feedback on work is a valuable learning resource that can at times be difficult to see however it provides an opportunity to grow and develop as a learner.  Whilst feedback can feel deflating and unempowering in the moment, time and reflection will enable it to become an insight into reaching your potential. Feedback is a catalyst to continue the conversation with your teacher, it should not be distracted by the emotion that can be easily attached to it.  

As we pass the midpoint of Term 1, I encourage all students to consider how they approach roadblocks in their learning and see them as opportunities to reflect and reset. 

ThinkLab 

Our Year 7 students have been engaged throughout Term 1 in the learning taking place in ThinkLab. The ThinkLab is an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning that will allow students to develop skills in collaboration, communication, critical and creative thinking and problem-solving. 

The Term 1 Unit, ‘Future Me’ is building the foundational skills for students to work within the interdisciplinary model. The unit has introduced your daughters to the skills of communication, effective collaboration, critical and creative thinking as well as problem-solving. To further develop these skills our Year 7 students will soon create a robotic device called a Bristlebot and test a range of hypotheses regarding its functionality. 

As we look forward to Term 2, students will enter the Drone Zone. This unit is designed to develop student understanding of drones with a particular focus on how drones can be used in both the design process and scientific inquiry. 

Stay tuned for more about the ThinkLab throughout the year as our Year 7 students are challenged and inspired to take their learning beyond the classroom. 

Careers 

On Monday 13 March, our Year 12 students had the opportunity to hear from and speak with ex-student, Lily Miranda. Lily graduated from the College in 2021 and as the recipient of the UNSW Co-op Scholarship returned to the College to speak with our Year 12 students about the Co-op Program. 

The UNSW Co-op Program is a career development scholarship that develops our scholars into professionals, not just graduates at the end of their university degrees. The program incorporates industry experience, leadership and professional development, networking, mentoring and financial support. Scholarships are offered in the Business School, and Faculties of Engineering and Science.

For further information regarding Careers information, I encourage students and their parents to engage with the information provided in the Careers News Bulletin. 

Ms Natasha Fox                                               &                    Ms Eleonora Agazzi

Director of Learning & Innovation                               Director of Curriculum