Secondary focused Contemporary Learning Tour
Recently a group of 24 educators from 4 states engaged in a learning tour which occurred in Sydney and Brisbane with a focus of Secondary education.
The first destination was Sydney where we visited St Luke’s Catholic College in Marsden Park. Here the leadership team shared how they do secondary school differently. One of the highlights of St Luke’s is their Life Design program. Students begin this journey in Year 7 by spending 18 months focused on understanding their personal SIM, Strengths, Interests and Motivation. Students undertake a range of experiences that help them to understand, connect with, develop and then articulate these aspects of who they are. Halfway through year 8 students are asked by the College to articulate the one thing they wish they could learn. The teachers then take this data and use it to create and synthesize engaging possible electives for students to undertake in Year 9. Teachers pitch the range of subject possibilities to students at an open night and then students are able to sign up for the two subjects that they are most interested in.
This is just one of the innovations that ensure that students at St Luke’s are given agency and are engaged and motivated to learn.
The second school we visited was Lindfield Learning Village where we worked with the leadership team to dig deep into their pedagogical modes, learning characteristics and how these deliberately bring the vision, mission and values of this school to life. We engaged in a range of workshops where leaders took us behind the scenes to understand how they track the development of skills and attributes and how they plan meaningful multidisciplinary projects that explore the school wide (P-12) Inquiry concept, which this year is “community”.
We heard about how they always ask the question “Why are we doing this?” and if they can no longer articulate an answer that aligns with their vision and values then they put that aspect of their program, structure etc. on the table for revision and review.
After a busy two days we jumped on a plane to Brisbane and spent Thursday at Faith Lutheran College Redlands where the leadership team walked us through the changes that they have made over the past 6 years and how engaging with Contemporary Learning Tours has provided the provocation and inspiration for change. The team talked about the process that they have gone through of taking different things that a number of inspirational schools are doing and have woven them together to create their own “MyPath” program. We heard about how students are given agency and input into school improvement and the hiring of staff as well as the process of mapping curriculum behind the scenes to ensure that the school meets compliance expectations while at the same time providing students with the opportunity to develop and carve a meaningful path through their secondary education experience.
In the afternoon we met with Terry O’Hanlan-Rose the Principal of Silkwood School who spoke to us about how they have reimagined and rebuilt the Senior Secondary experience for students so that each student is able to gain entry into their pathway of choice. It was inspiring to hear the stories of students who have been guided to explore their passions and realise those passions into a meaningful career pathway without any ATAR pressure. Terry generously shared the Why, What and How of Silkwood and challenged us to take bolder and braver steps in secondary education for the sake of our young adults.
The final school on the itinerary was Faith Lutheran College Plainland where Principal and Director of Learning passionately shared their vision for learning with our attendees. They challenged siloed subject thinking and shared with us the way that they are changing what secondary learning looks like in years 7-10 by creating multidisciplinary subjects for students to engage in. We were able to visit the Conspiracies subject in action to see how history and creative writing are being taught through the lens of conspiracy theories. We were provoked to think about the students that a traditional model of schooling is not serving and inspired to see how Plainland are making changes to bring their vision to life and engage and inspire learners.
It was a big 4 days where we were continually challenged to explore our mental models about how secondary school is structured and who those structures serve well and who misses out. We were encouraged to think beyond content and subjects to projects and provocations that help students develop insight and understanding about who they are as individuals, community members, how they world works and the impact they want to have. Congratulations to all of the educators that represented LEVNT schools and have gone back into their own schools ready to lead change.
Kim Powell
Learning Leader: Innovation
Level 2 420-424 William Street
WEST MELBOURNE VIC 3003
T (03) 9236 1250 T (03) 9236 1271 (Direct Line)
F (03) 9236 1259
kimberley.powell@levnt.edu.au
