Head of School Blog

As I continue to read and reflect on current trends in education, the question of the role of explicit teaching continues to come up as something that causes confusion. In a realm of inquiry based learning, of student questions, of encouraging creativity and student voice, what is the role of explicit teaching?

Over the past month, I have been avidly reading and digesting much information following the release of Gonski 2.0 'Through Growth to Achievement'. I also had the privilege of hearing the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speak to Heads of School and Chairs of Governing Bodies on the NSW Government's plans to review the NSW Curriculum.

Teaching our students the importance of doing something with our learning.

Reviewing how we approach Digital Citizenship. The how and the when, will be considered, as well as the why.

One of the areas of focus for a school such as ours is community.

STEM or STEAM have received much publicity over the last little while and rightly so. Research continues to show that many of the world’s career options for graduates involve elements of STEM or STEAM.

Not too long ago, the concept of pornography wouldn’t have been discussed or considered within the confines of a primary school.

As Year 5 dragged their suitcases across the front of the school on Tuesday morning

Within their learning throughout the PYP, students acquire and apply a set of transdisciplinary skills, or approaches to learning.

Communication skills for some children come naturally.

As a primary aged student, I remember the Friday test.

As a school, we recognise the importance of knowledge, skills and concepts in contributing toward our students being the best they can be.

Most parents have dreams and desires for their children.

Can you recall a mistake you’ve made recently?

How do you encourage a love of reading in your own children?

One of the most important areas of a teacher's practice is that of reflection.

Children in this day and age receive a myriad of messages about what is right, what is wrong and how they should respond to these messages can, at times, be understandably confusing for them.

In a world that continues to tell us that anything goes is OK, that you cannot share an opinion that may be different from another person’s and where teaching the truths of the Bible is perceived as being both intolerant and inflammatory, schools have much to wrestle with, particularly authentically Christian communities such as ours.

There are three things that are essential for me as the Head of School when it comes to what happens here at St Peter’s.

At the commencement of the year, things are incredibly busy and we see students beginning to settle into their many and varied co curricular groups, sporting and music commitments, as well as their school and family lives.

The Importance of Reading In this day and age, consumed by technology and an increasing busyness, reading with your children can often be the last thing on the minds of parents.

Open Arms, Listening Ears

The old saying goes, ‘you’ve got to get back on the bike and keep going’. ‘You can’t let it get to you’, ‘get back on the horse’ and so on.

Learning takes place everywhere! What does school mean to you? What did school mean when you were a student?

From a very young age, children learn how the world works. If I scream, I get picked up. If I cry, I get the attention I need or the problem rectified.