Gazette January 2020
26
AC A DE M IC E XC E L L E NC E
Laying Foundations for the Future As educators, we constantly strive to prepare our students for the ‘real world’ that exists around them. We teach them how to read, write, and calculate. Then, of course, there are the less tangible skills we teach; such as how to work in a team, think critically, and be curious about the things they encounter each day, whilst gaining a sense of responsibility to participate in the world, to influence people, events and circumstances for the better.
We want to prepare them to lead productive and successful lives once they move beyond the gates of the School. But what lies ahead for our students in the future? Today, educators are charged with the complicated task – preparing students for the unknown. At King’s we understand what it takes to be ready for 21st century learning. We must not only recognise learners’ individuality, but also acknowledge the wider set of relationships that they develop with their teachers, peers, families and communities, that influence their learning.
Academic excellence with character development, in the context of a Christian Community. The School motto, ‘Fortiter et Fideliter” (“Bravely and Faithfully”) requires our students to be brave learners, to take risks, to fail and then to develop resilience. It takes real bravery to be a person of integrity. Students who are best prepared for the future are change agents. They need to be able to make a positive impact on their surroundings, influence the future, understand others’ intentions, actions and feelings and anticipate the short term and long term consequences of what they do, in order that they might graduate as leaders of Christian wisdom and integrity for a world in need. Within academic excellence there will be an increasing emphasis on developing thought leadership in our students, on Science through a STEAM precinct and a look to the future on food research and security.
