Education Matters

EDUCATION MATTERS

BY DR BRONWYN DOLLING, PACIFIC LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Growing Capacity

To equip our young people to flourish in a rapidly changing world, schools, like other enterprises, need to change and adapt, to take note of international and local learnings and to innovate. One of the great innovators of the previous century, Albert Einstein, advised people to, ‘Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.’ For parents of three year olds, there might be some encouragement in this but there is also great wisdom for people of all ages. Greater opportunity emerges when we are able to ask the right questions and then utilise intellectual, personal and social capacities to move towards improved outcomes.

To grow capacity in any individual, group or team, there needs to be a growth mindset, where creative thought and action is encouraged.

To grow capacity in any individual, group or team, there needs to be a growth mindset, where creative thought and action is encouraged. In a school context, students and teachers need to own their own learning and be immersed in a learning culture that values thinking, creativity and understanding. Good educational contexts are dynamic and provide the opportunity for both staff and students to access, share and build their learning individually and collaboratively from a range of sources and in different ways. Flexibility in virtual, and physical indoor and outdoor spaces and furnishings support a personalised approach to learning.

The celebration and incorporation of failure is an important part of the learning process. Space and time to play with ideas and learn from mistakes is central to the development of deep understanding and the generation of new thinking. Developing the capacity to build understandings independently is at the heart of the learning process.

Learning is a relational activity. Attention to the growth of the whole person as an interdependent and contributing part of community, means it is important to pay attention to the development of the social emotional, the cultural and the physical well being of people in conjunction with their intellectual capacities. There should be a focus on the growth of values and a sense of global efficacy and responsibility. For schools that have the capacity to support the growth of the spiritual dimension this is an integral part of every person’s development. Research in all of these areas is advancing and engagement and enhancement of parent understandings is a key to the success of the learning process.

Learning, like all things worthwhile, ‘is hard fun’. Where there is space for innovation, creativity and relationships to collaborate and test with, learning flourishes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Bronwyn Dolling is the Principal of Pacific Lutheran College, a co-educational, Lutheran school for students from K-12. Bronwyn has worked in the education industry for over 35 years and has served as Pacific’s Principal since its inception in 2001 and also on various education committees at a state and national level. She is passionate about providing a rich education that supports the development of the whole child.

does your child love learning? So do we.

Pacific Lutheran College

is a supportive learning community, with a strong academic focus and exceptional sporting, cultural and outdoor programs. Our curriculum is designed to support a seamless transition from Kindergarten to Year 12, and then to life beyond school. Fostering thinking skills, curiosity and deep understanding, Pacific helps each child develop their own passion for learning.

www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

PHONE

Chris Henschke, College Registrar on 5436 7321

LOCATION

Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551