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In the Principal’s Blog, I share my thoughts about modern education, as well as my own reflections and insights as a member of the education community and Principal of our College.
Over the past couple of weeks, there have been a multitude of news articles and opinion pieces written about ChatGPT and the impact this is going to have on us all. I thought some simple reflections from me might be helpful based on what I’ve read, and discussed with colleagues both at St Andrews and across Australia.
On around this day in 2003, St Andrew’s opened to the community. The stories from that first day and indeed the first couple of months of our College are still remembered and Steve Robson, Head of Sport and Nicola Britten, Teacher Aide - Learning Support, are our two remaining founding members of staff. Dr Sue Simon was the founding Principal, and serves on our College Council today. This year we also welcome Ms Ella Evans as our new Head of Commerce who was a foundation student on that very first day in January 2003!
In an era of instant gratification and incessant distraction, the notion of sticking at something, problem-solving, trying a few different ideas over an extended period of time is becoming a dying art.
As I step away from the energy that surrounds a final, I know that getting involved in sport is ultimately an opportunity for our students to learn about and build their personal capacity.
Toward the end of 2021 we undertook a review of our learning services across Primary and Secondary and one aspect of this was to refocus our attention away from withdrawing students from the classroom, to seeing our learning support teachers and aides working collaboratively with class teachers and students in their existing classes.
Performing Arts and not just at the end of the year, but throughout the learning journey. We need to model a love for the Arts that sits outside the competitive nature and values it for what it is.
At St Andrew’s we stand up when it is needed, choose to be kind, choose to speak up, and choose to be courageous.
Last Tuesday was our Secondary presentation evening. We celebrated with many of our students both their academic and personal capacity achievements.
I’m not sure if you’ve seen the show, Parental Guidance?
Can I begin by thanking everyone for what was a sensational College Fair last week.
This week we celebrated both our Secondary and Primary sports awards presentations
This week I read an article by Nikki Gemmell
During the recent break I was able to spend a few days in Canberra to visit our eldest daughter Megan.
Our Australian State Governments seem to be in conflict with the Federal government
This week we have welcomed our Grandparents
The end of term is drawing closer and as I look around me at the events and opportunities
We are setting up habits and expectations of turning to a device for entertainment that will be harder to control when more challenging and serious issues arise, such as what we are seeing right now.
I’d like to talk this week about the Flourishing at Schools
Despite the challenges our community has faced over the past 12 months, and acknowledging that some are still doing it tough, I do look around the world and give thanks for where we are and for the awesome beauty that is this part of Australia.
We made it to the end of Term 1
One of the events that dominated the news for much of my childhood
Some of you may know that I am a Secondary English teacher and so of course
Parents need to stand up collectively to what is happening outside of school hours.
At the commencement of the year
Last week in Secondary Chapel, Mr Barrett took some time to challenge
As we come to the end of our first full week
A warm welcome back to the first week of classes here at the College
These are indeed strange times we’re living through
his week, I have been inspired by two different speakers from completely different contexts.
At Secondary Chapel service this week
Over the past couple of days, we have taken the initiative to welcome a small group
As Term 3 draws to a close, I can hear a collective sigh from parents
At Foundation Day yesterday, I shared the following reflection
Within a family we often don’t think about the value of these conversations, because it’s not so much about the topic, rather about engaging developing brains in critical thinking, something we categorically need to embed in our children’s toolkit for life!
‘Rules and consequences imply a desire to control.
It has been so good to welcome back our youngest
s we welcome a number of year levels back
While many parents attend Primary Chapel
In my adult life I am endlessly busy, with a ‘to do’ list
My two oldest children flew home unaccompanied
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a vital foundation that is developed
We have had a very interesting start to the year
“We are expecting students to know what they want to do with their lives and there’s this terror of putting your foot wrong, like you must know what you will do at 18 or else you will waste time and money.”
Children’s development is not usually something that takes centre stage in day-to-day life, but it’s often the day-to-day practices that make up the bigger picture!
