Principal's Message

The Future of Learning

Over the last little while, I have been dipping in and out of reading a report provided by Learning Creates Australia. The report called "Recognition of learning success for all" is co-authored by Jan Owen. You may be aware that Jan was with us for a Staff Development Day at the beginning of this year. Much of the work from that day has acted as a springboard into the deeper New Metrics work led by Mrs Kirby, our Leader - New Metrics and a team of teachers across all stages of the College..

Many parts of the report resonate with the vision and actions of St Luke's. As part of the report there was a series of interviews with young Australians in early 2020. Diverse groups of young adults were asked to reflect on their primary and secondary years of schooling. It was at a time when the impact of the bushfires was still raw and the challenges of managing Covid-19 were emerging. Here is a brief summary of what they reflected.

The above reaffirms why St Luke's strives to deepen our knowledge and understanding of how to teach and assess the capabilities required for a changing world as expressed through our 6 Pillars of Learning. This focus starts in the CELC, continues into Kindergarten, and is prominent for all stages of learning including Stage 6. It is also why we plan to release an individual student dashboard in mid June, specifically designed to track growth of capabilities over time for each student within and across subject areas. The dashboard will be shared with students and parents where, among many things, may replace reports because it will be updated and shared more often than twice yearly.

Also, pondering the reflections above reminds me why Stage 3 teachers and students engage with Become Education. Our students deserve to feel confident and positive about the future. Our teachers work with Liv Pennie from Become to broaden students' personal awareness and aspirations so they 'become' more optimistic and inspired to take action on their own future.

Furthermore, Recognition of learning success for all affirms why we offer Life Design as a rigorous and challenging course. By exploring their SIM (strengths, interests and motivations) as well as engaging in concepts such as purpose, Life Design provides time for students to answer three questions:

• Who am I?
• What can I do?
• What problems doI want to solve?

Students won't read these questions in NAPLAN, nor will they ever be required to answer them in examinations such as the HSC. However, young people will need to be able to answer these profound questions when pursuing a post-school life of contentment and fulfilment. 

We could do worse than suggest that every legislator read the report, and I recommend it to you.

Building update

The final three Stages of the St Luke's Building Project continue to be constructed. The rain since October of last year is impacting on the final timeline and delivery of the project. At this point in time, it is thought that all building works will be completed no later than the end of Term 1, 2023.

By way of notice, the 'estimated timeline' for Outdoor Learning and Play Areas is as follows:

• Mid-June to Early November - Works to Harmony Way, Christoper Robin Way and installation of the Jesus Walk in the Marketplace.
• July - Oval foundations including the installation of irrigation is completed and then a 12 week settling of laid turf is required. 
• Late-September - Eastern K-4 playground partitioned off.
• Mid-October - The Oval is accessible for all K-11 students.
• December - Completion of K-4 playground and all other outdoor learning spaces.

Have a great weekend

Mr Greg Miller

Principal Leader