Getting the Edge Br Roz Nicholls, Director of Teaching and Learning (7-12) Our Teaching and Learning Framework provides FCAC teachers with the tools to create learners who are engaged, empowered, enterprising, empathetic, and equipped for success. We refer to these qualities as the five E’s. The Edge program supports the Teaching and Learning Framework by giving Years 7-10 students a chance to further develop their five E’s by choosing a semester-long elective designed to give them the edge in a changing world. In Semester One, we offered some new Edge electives that proved to be very popular with our students. Some students elected to learn a new skill, such as using a sewing machine, communicating with Auslan sign language or upcycling old furniture. Others chose a more physical activity such as gym, golf, human powered vehicles, sports and fitness. While others developed their strategic thinking through board games, and their creativity by learning a new craft. Another group used the time to research family and local history with students’ biographies of a 100-year-old local and our (slightly younger) Father Jeff Jarvis being published in this magazine. The culminating event for the semester was an extended half day Edge session, where students were able to put their skills to the test, go on excursion or take part in an incursion.
At the end of each course, we survey students to get feedback on the electives and plan for the next semester of Edge activities. Below are some answers to the question: ‘The best thing about my Edge course was…’ learning the challenging skills of problem solving in situations and having fun at the same time. learning the basic signs and sentences and working in groups to figure things out. developing skills that will help me in the future. that there is always a different sport each week. the freedom to pick a game and learn to play it, as well as to get to have a good time with new people. being able to fix old and used items and give them a new look. learning more about the history of the area we live in at the present time from those who have experienced it. learning sign language as I believe communicating with other communities is a beneficial skill to have. that I got to make other friends from different year levels which made FCAC a better place for me.
13
