Over 30 Lutheran educators recently embarked on a transformative five-day Free to Flourish immersion, exploring schools that are redefining education with a focus on wellbeing, inquiry, and innovation. This immersive experience provided valuable insights into creating learning environments where students and educators can truly thrive.
At Woodline Primary, we witnessed how a trauma-informed, child-centred approach fosters emotional safety and intrinsic motivation. Their emphasis on play-based learning, outdoor experiences, and inclusivity reinforced the power of connection in education.
"I learnt a lot about play-based learning, restorative practice, and the importance of consistent language at Woodline."
Newmark Primary challenged us to rethink learning through a Human-Centered Design approach. Their integration of Social Enterprise principles and industry specialists highlighted the importance of purpose-driven education, encouraging students to engage in real-world problem-solving.
"It was inspiring to see schools that are so confident in who they are and what they stand for.”
Spensley Street Primary provided insights into leading educational change while honouring school culture. Hearing from leadership on navigating transitions and fostering a strong learning community was invaluable. At Princes Hill Primary, we explored their Collective Inquiry Approach, which engages students in community-driven projects and meaningful documentation of learning.
"The immersion challenged me to reflect on my beliefs and ingrained practices, pushing me to consider new ways forward."
The immersion concluded with a collaborative design thinking session, equipping us with tools to bring these transformative ideas into our own schools.
https://www.luthedlearningtours.net
"A fantastic opportunity to push your thinking outside the box, network, and experience
This experience reinforced the power of curiosity, creativity, and connection in shaping education for the future. Thank you to all who made this journey possible. We look forward to seeing how these insights inspire meaningful change in our school communities.
“The immersion was an interactive experience when I was challenged in my thinking to reshape my ideas and perspectives on contemporary education and learning experiences that allow our young people to innovate, create and design and disrupt in ways that impact our world and communities in a way that they know their impact.”
“It has pushed me to think outside of our own context while allowing me to think about how we can do things better for our children.”
“Free to Flourish Immersions have been a game changer - not only for me personally but for the different learning communities I have been apart of. They have been an extraordinary opportunity to deeply reflect, wonder and be provoked. These experiences have and are making a difference to our practice.”
“This immersion challenged me to the core to reflect on my beliefs, deeply held mental models and ingrained practices and Identify how to deal with the creative tension between current reality and a shared preferred future.”
“I don’t feel comfortable going back to our site knowing what I know now without making immediate changes (small to start) to the environment, teaching and learning practices and influencing leaders and our systems and structures we currently have in place to move in a positive, forward direction. I realise this will take time but I’m excited and motivated to make and invite others to create change for the benefit of our learners and wider learning community.”
"The experience challenged ideas of how we view our world and the context we live in. It was inspirational in thinking about the kids and how their school experience can shape not only their future but our future."
“The opportunity to visit and explore other schools, to connect with fellow educators, and to see and hear different ways of educating, is a truly valuable experience that not only challenges and grows oneself, but hopefully challenge and grow the school community also.”
