Junior School
SHELLEY PARKES
Head of Junior School
Change
Often the idea of change can create a feeling of discomfort and apprehension; allowing ourselves to embrace change is often seen as a great challenge. As a rule, we all like to stay in our comfort zone. After all, they call it a "comfort zone" for a reason—even the term itself stirs up deep feelings of calm, relaxation and security. But eventually, something comes along to shake us out of it. That time is now. Change happens to us all—it’s simply a part of life. And while some change is undeniably good, we’re often faced with disruptions that certainly don’t feel welcome.
When we reference the 8 Habits, we acknowledge that a change of habit can bring good. We learn to accept that embracing change is not a difficult skill to learn. And once we start looking at change as a good thing, we are more often than not amazed at some of the benefits that can follow. This week our teachers, students and families have proven this. The now is all about change, it is all around us, and in greater ways than we may have thought possible. How we react to change often involves reflecting on our mindset – is it fixed or do we come with a growth mindset? Without being forced to accept changes, we might never learn the true measure of our own strength—including your ability to adapt in new (and often interesting) ways.
Remote learning reminds us that by altering the way we approach and action change, even in a slight way, we can be presented with learning opportunities, providing us with a broader view for the power of learning, and how this might look now, tomorrow and beyond. Change allows us to learn new things that we may have identified as unrealistic or not unachievable. Remote learning involves great change, and at times this may also reflect great challenges, as evident this week a great deal more can be learned from great challenge than success.
Learning is a lifelong process. The more we seek out change and new experiences, the more learning opportunities are presented to us. Change can force us to look at things in a new light and challenge our current beliefs, values, and knowledge. It can allow us to learn new ideas, skills, viewpoints, and information. You can also learn and discover new things about yourself and a new respect for the role we each play in the life of a student.
AMBRE BORNEMAN
Inquiry Learning Coordinator
Our students in Years 2 and 3 have been exploring real-world science projects, including: engineering, technology and coding, through the use of LEGO Education WeDo 2.0. Designed to ignite students’ curiosity and enhance their skills in science, engineering, technology and coding, define problems and design their own solutions. It combines the LEGO brick, digital technologies, classroom-friendly software, curriculum standards-based science projects and every student’s desire to explore.
The students have thoroughly enjoyed their early discovery time, and learning how to program their creations to change colour, play music, move components and problem solve the challenges faced with their partners. Following the engineering design process of Find a Problem - Brainstorming - Choose the Best Idea - Go Make - Evaluate What You Have Made - Present Your Model, the students progressively made more complex robots as their skills developed, and reflected on what was successful or what they needed to change to be successful.
