Head of Campus
Citizenship, the IB and Preshil
When Preshil emerged in the1930s, it was a striking example of independence of thought within the educational landscape. But, how do the progressive elements described and practiced at that time translate into the current educational landscape? One way to understand this translation over time is to understand why the school embraced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes.
In the school's infancy, our world was in the grips of the Second World War. It was felt that if children at Preshil could experience participatory democracy at school, then they would grow up to resist those elements which pose a threat to democracy. Likewise, the IB is an aspirational framework which has at its heart the view that each student is an international citizen, connected with people everywhere on the planet. The children’s understanding of this connection and citizenship should set them up to be a force for a more peaceful world. High ideals indeed.
Like all big ideas, these are best developed and practised in our immediate community, and so Preshil holds two elements of good citizenship as central to our progressive approach: choice and responsibility. Likewise, the IB advocates student voice and choice, and our children experience choice each day in their schooling, from choosing activities in our early years to choosing academic pursuits and how they will demonstrate their understanding as they grow through secondary school. Outside of the classroom, our children are also encouraged to exercise their choices in how they present and choose to dress, the measured risks they engage in as they build cubbies or climb trees, and the use of the rooms and learning spaces which are never restricted to them.
Each of the choices our children might consider come with a level of responsibility both personally, and to the larger school community. Reflecting on the drivers of our decisions and the impact these may have, create a discourse, and it is this tension where much of the learning about what makes a good citizen is brought to the fore, opened for discussion and experienced firsthand. Preshil is a place where these challenging conversations are welcomed.
Last week some children at the junior school came to me with a proposal. They mounted a strong case seeking permission to ride their bikes on the Footy Field during lunch times. For many schools, rules are applied to these scenarios. ‘No bike riding at school’ is a simple solution, but inevitably the tension is taken away, and choice and responsibility become secondary to acceptance and compliance. The opportunity to discuss the individual’s role in the community is lost.
No rules were applied to this scenario, and the children were disappointed when I couldn’t give them permission.
“If you want to use a shared space, you’ll need the community to agree, you might need to call a whole school meeting.” I suggested.
As it happens, the desire to ride bikes gave way to a new passion, and the meeting was not called. But for these children, they were empowered to understand how to take action to resolve the tension. They were citizens participating in their community.
As we stand behind those practices which give our children and students opportunities to develop understanding around participatory democracy and good citizenship, it is clear that Preshil and the IB are working in unison. Together they support children to understand how they can be active citizens, and hopefully that experience helps them feel empowered to create a more peaceful world. Not new ideas, but still compelling after all these years.
Cressida Batterham-Wilson
Head of Arlington Campus