ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION ATTENTION?

Deep in Belrose, there’s a school that’s doing things differently. Beaches COVERED. had a chat with Julian Wilcock, the Headmaster of John Colet School, to uncover the secrets that fuel the school’s incredible success and achievements.

With a staggering amount of emphasis put on Naplan results and rankings, it is easy to overlook the fundamental aspect that we want for our children: for them to be good people.

At John Colet School you can have both. In fact, Headmaster Julian Wilcock believes that one is the direct result of the other, attributing the school’s academic success to their dedication to the whole child.

“We place a deliberate focus on character development and values. You can’t have the academic without faith in yourself and respect for those around you,” shared Julian.

The proof is in the pudding, John Colet School consistently ranks as one of the top primary schools in Australia. Their intriguing approach is obviously working, nurturing students into exceptional young learners.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

“Regular pausing throughout the day helps children learn how to fall still, quiet the emotions and give their attention to the task at hand,” explains Julian.

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes. The children at the school practice stillness, pausing 10 to 12 times a day for moments of quiet reflection. A skill that doesn’t always come easily.

“Some children gravitate towards it. However, it is the ones that struggle with it that benefit the most. It soon becomes natural to pause and be present in the moment,” says Julian.

Children, by nature, are easily distracted and society has grown quick to diagnose attention disorders. It is counterintuitive to expect focus and attention from our children without ever telling them how. Perhaps we are looking at it wrong. Perhaps attention can be learnt?

“Attention needs to be taught. Like a muscle it needs to be supported and developed,” says Julian. “The purpose of pausing is to teach children how to focus on a single task by focusing on the moment. It is a skill that I still use today.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUITY

Julian believes that the relationship between student and teacher is integral to learning engagement. Unlike mainstream education, at John Colet School, you keep the same teacher for two to three years.

“We have great teachers who are passionate about the school’s values and learning foundations. We want our students to know themselves and for the teacher to really know their students. Building a strong and trusting pastoral connection takes time,” says Julian.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

The breadth of subjects that the children are exposed to is impressive. From Shakespeare to Philosophy students have open discussions about gutsy questions such as, ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘How should I live my life’. The school refuses to underestimate its students by dumbing down topics.

“We encourage children to tackle the big questions in life. Naplan seems easy by comparison,” shares Julian.

“While we are well-known for our academics, our focus remains on building a child’s confidence and adaptability, which we do through a traditional curriculum and a focus on liberal arts,” says Julian.

There we have it. Hidden within Belrose is a school that fosters the growth of individuals, enabling them to not only excel academically but also thrive holistically, transforming into better-rounded individuals.

Unsurprisingly, the popularity of enrolling at John Colet School resonates with the Northern Beaches community. This co-educational multi-faith kindergarten to year-6 school recommends applying as early as possible to secure a place in kindergarten. Limited 2024 places are available in other year groups. Reach out to the school today to arrange a tour. •

John Colet School  |  6 Wyatt Ave, Belrose 2085  |  (02) 9451 8395  |  johncolet.nsw.edu.au  |  Insta: @johncoletschool