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From the Assistant Dean of Junior School (Teaching and Learning)
“UNITY IS STRENGTH…WHEN THERE IS COLLABORATION, WONDERFUL THINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED” – MATTIE J.T. STEPANEK.
Collaboration has been a key focus of the Junior School in 2021, along with student agency to align with our ongoing learning with Melbourne University and two of our 10 ASC Capabilities. These capabilities have been at the forefront of our teaching and learning, resulting in many positives occurring within and outside the walls of our learning environments. Connect 4 – connect with yourself, others, your learning and the numinous – has also been at the forefront for staff in 2021. Connect with yourself. How do you be authentic in your classroom? This question has resulted in a shift in classrooms to becoming unique and inspirational learning environments. Teachers at ASC all bring passion and many individual talents, which have allowed students to experience a wide range of opportunities and choice: choice of what connects with themselves, and the opportunity to drive their own learning journey as much as possible. Staff have the right mindset to allow great things to happen, which the students are beginning to value and thrive upon. ‘Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything’ – George Bernard Shaw. Connect with others. 2021 has been revolutionary in transforming the way we connect with others. Students and staff have been creative in connecting with others in so many new ways. However, this brings challenges, which students and staff alike have embraced and collaboratively created win-win solutions, taking that next step in their learning to become problem seekers. ‘Student choice is more than simply picking a task. It’s about owning the entire learning process.’ – John Spencer. Connect with your learning. As mentioned, Student agency has been a focus this year. Teachers have embraced this and courageously guided students to learn and become problem seekers, searching for answers to problems of things that matter to them. They bring passion, engagement and drive to solve real problems that matter to them now and will impact their future. Connecting to learning has been a significant highlight in the Junior School in 2021. Connect with the numinous. 2021 has shown strength in many, with the world being more than ever: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA). Individually and collectively we have been required to search within. There is light, as we have found more and more ways to be caring, understanding and compassionate. Outstanding efforts in this space have been celebrated and rewarded throughout the year. Connecting and collaborating to solve authentic problems that students value and want to solve – this is what happens every day in the Junior School. This is due to the dedicated, vulnerable and passionate staff who lead our future leaders. Rest assured: we are in safe hands. My sincere thanks to all students, staff and wider community who have allowed greatness to happen in the Junior School in 2021, and I look forward to what 2022 brings.
Mr Blair Saunders Assistant Dean of Junior School (Teaching and Learning)
