Imagine a time...

JULIE BICKETT, DIRECTOR OF EARLY LEARNING

We share insights from a discussion with our youngest learners - for whom co-education is very much the norm.

When asking a group of three and four year old children what they imagine school would have been like 50 years ago we expect the answers to be varied, and rightly so - 50 years sounds like a very long time to our Early Learning children.

‘It would have been a smaller school. I think our school gets bigger every birthday’.

‘I wonder if they had Lego 50 years ago?’

‘Maybe they didn’t have so many sandpits. We have so many sandpits at our school’.

‘I think the school has changed a lot. My Mum went to this school, and she says it’s much bigger now. The uniform is a bit different, and the people are different’.

Understanding that our school has a rich history is a process our children begin when they first enter our school. Many children have parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents that went to The

Geelong College and have some knowledge of what has gone on in this place before them.

Children imagine a school, 50 years ago, that is not too dissimilar to their school of today. They know that the College is a place where we value connection, learning, kindness, and joy. It is a place where we learn together and strive to add value to our community both inside and outside the school gates.

Imagining a time when there were no girls at our school is an abstract concept for our youngest learners here.

When children and teachers at Early Learning unpacked exactly what ‘co-education’ means children were shocked to realise that, once upon a time, there were no girls at their school.

The first response was a loud gasp, followed by:

‘I can’t even imagine that!” and: ‘What do you mean no girls? That’s not fair. I’m glad they let girls into our school. The girls would be sad if there was no school for them.’

I wouldn’t like our school if there was no girls

I feel sad for the girls that didn’t get to come to our school’.‘Girls can do all the things that boys can do. Even singing!’

Girls have ideas the same as boys and they learn the same as boys.

Girls have ideas the same as boys and they learn the same as boys.

Comments in support of girls and the value they add to our daily lives, coupled with empathy and a strong sense of equity came to the fore.

It’s pleasing to hear that our three and four year old children hold such strong opinions and beliefs around equity, access and treating people fairly.

Integrity with Compassion is lived through the care our children show to one another and how their honesty and strong moral principles shine through in their daily interactions and experiences.

Community with Diversity is highlighted by the rich cultural tapestry that makes up our College community. The progress we have made in the way we teach and learn about Australian heritage and that of other cultures has been a hugely significant part of our journey over the last 50 years.

We see Aspiration with Humility as our children imagine, inspire and believe in a better future for our planet. As they engage in and learn about environmental issues, we see their passion for Mother Earth and humanity come to the fore.

Respect with Grace is highlighted by the way our children demonstrate high regard for one another and those they encounter. The courteous goodwill they show towards their teachers, friends and community members is often a compliment we receive from visitors to our school.

Endeavour with Courage is lived through our daily commitment to try something new, be open to the ideas of others and be courageous in our decisions. Taking considered risks and learning by ‘doing’ is something we work hard on at Early Learning.

There is no doubt that the welcoming of girls to The Geelong College has ensured our wonderful, inspiring community will continue to flourish for many generations to come. For this is the way to the stars