Learning – Imagine

Do Kids Still Build Billy Carts? Rediscovering the Value of a Play-Based Childhood

faithadmin Nov 13, 2024 0 Comments

Recently, I read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and it got me reflecting on how much childhood has changed—and about the rise in anxiety among young people today. Haidt describes a shift from a "play-based childhood" to what he calls a "phone-based childhood." As both an educator and a parent, I see the effects of this shift all around me. It makes me wonder: are our kids missing out on something essential? How can we create more space for real play, both at school and at home? Growing up, play was simple and free. When I told my parents,…

Junior School Learning Whole College

Children as Agents in their own learning.

faithadmin Mar 13, 2024 0 Comments

‘Agency may be the most important factor in human happiness and well-being’ Johnson and Stixrud The Self-Driven Child (2018). We have been fortunate to have had Tonya Gilchrist working with staff, students and parents the past week, and to say we have all learnt a lot would be an understatement. However, for me, this idea of agency has been one of the most powerful reminders I have had in a while. But what do we mean by agency? In education, agency refers to a respectful and more empowered positioning of students to be active agents in their own learning lives.…

Learning Secondary School Whole College

Togetherness

faithadmin Feb 28, 2024 0 Comments

In the dynamic landscape of education, fostering a sense of togetherness is not just a lofty ideal; it is the cornerstone of a thriving learning environment. As we embark on this academic journey together, it's essential to delve into what it truly means to be 'together' in a learning community and understand the profound impact it has on our children's educational experience. Togetherness goes beyond mere physical proximity; it is about cultivating a shared vision, fostering collaboration, and creating a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom walls. At Faith, we believe in the transformative power of a unified community,…

Learning Secondary School Wellbeing Whole College

Strong Women

faithadmin Nov 29, 2023 0 Comments

I had the pleasure of walking through the Year 7 project-based learning (PBL) expo on ‘Strong Women’ that was open to our parent community for an afternoon. It was no surprise that the vast majority of strong women chosen by students to celebrate during this learning expo were mothers and grandmothers. Of particular interest to me was a handwritten story book in which a student had penned responses from their mum to some pretty hard-hitting questions like “What is your biggest regret” and “What would you do differently”. As I looked around the multiple rooms of displays, I realized there…

Learning Whole College

Would Learning be Taken More Seriously if it Felt More Like Play?

faithadmin Nov 15, 2023 0 Comments

As a young girl, I had a charming fascination with creating fragrances. Picture a little me, spending hours in the garden, carefully selecting flowers and leaves, then blending them with water to produce 'captivating' scents. These perfumes may not have been as refined as Chanel No. 5, but they were uniquely mine, infused with childhood wonder. Looking back now, I realise that my fragrant adventures were more than just whimsical play; they were a form of inquiry-based exploration. I was like a little scientist, asking questions, testing out different theories, and venturing into the world of fragrances with an inquisitive…

Learning Wellbeing Whole College

Curiouser and Curiouser

faithadmin Oct 11, 2023 0 Comments

One of my favourite childhood stories was ‘Alice in Wonderland’. I loved the way anything in Wonderland was possible, from talking cats to cards that marched, potions that make you shrink and cake that makes you grow. As a child I wished to visit Wonderland, firmly believing that if I found the right hole to fall down, I too could find myself in a magical land. Sir Ken Robinson has a fabulous Ted Talk on the need for schools to foster creativity. He talks about children’s innate creativity and ability to imagine, and encourages schools embrace children’s imagination and innate…

Learning Secondary School

Learning Reimagined – Launching Something Remarkable

faithadmin Aug 31, 2023 0 Comments

Two years ago, we introduced and launched the MyPath@Faith program to parents. This award winning program allows students in Years 8 – 10 to follow their passions and stretch themselves as they select courses that match their ability. You can view the amazing courses available by clicking here. The launch marked the unveiling of this exciting initiative and was the culmination of many years hard work. It was nerve wracking stuff to put this idea that had been built over many years out there in its fullest. On that evening two years ago I have this distinct memory of reaching…

Learning

Imagine What School Could Be Like and What It Would Take to Do It

faithadmin Jul 26, 2023 0 Comments

Education is a cornerstone of society, shaping the minds and futures of countless generations. However, the traditional school system often fails to keep pace with the evolving needs of students and the demands of the modern world. As we envision what school could be like, it becomes crucial to explore innovative approaches that could transform education and better prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. First and foremost, an ideal school would prioritize personalized learning. Recognizing that every student has unique strengths, weaknesses, and interests, education would be tailored to individual needs. This could be achieved…

Learning Wellbeing Whole College

Who do you remember? Who’s remembering you?

faithadmin Jun 14, 2023 0 Comments

When I was in Year 3 my teacher Mrs Paterson made me believe that I was a special kid. I remember her being a pretty strict teacher but also very caring. She seemed to know every kid in the class. I guess you would say she had us figured out. Different teacher, different year, but this feeling of being known was repeated in Year 6 with Mr Robertson and then with various teachers in high school. There were adults outside school as well. My parents, my uncle Col, a basketball coach and cycling mentor. As I look back over the…

Learning Wellbeing Whole College

Champions

faithadmin May 31, 2023 0 Comments

Why does every kid need a champion and why are relationships key in education? Rita Pierson, a well-known educator, once said, ‘Teaching and learning should bring joy. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion? Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them…’ and I think about that a lot in context of contemporary learning. We are asking young people to step bravely into an unknown world, a world where there are so many…

Do Kids Still Build Billy Carts? Rediscovering the Value of a Play-Based Childhood

Children as Agents in their own learning.

Togetherness

Strong Women

Would Learning be Taken More Seriously if it Felt More Like Play?

Curiouser and Curiouser

Learning Reimagined – Launching Something Remarkable

Imagine What School Could Be Like and What It Would Take to Do It

Who do you remember? Who’s remembering you?

Champions

You Missed

Joy

Do Kids Still Build Billy Carts? Rediscovering the Value of a Play-Based Childhood

School Leadership in Faith-Based Schools: A Unique Responsibility

It’s celebration time!