This learning framework comprises the six core elements community, connectedness, choice, challenge, creativity and conversation. It has been developed through staff reflection on our professional practice and is the common understanding that we have about all learning at St Mary’s College as our unique way of teaching.
Community
- We are called to be the “Face of Christ” to each other.
- Nurturing positive relationships is our approach to individual and community development.
- Teachers and boys contribute their individual giftedness to the learning environment.
- A sense of belonging is fostered through whole school and classroom learning as a “shared experience”.
Connectedness
- Opportunities are created for boys to understand the interconnectedness of all as citizens of the world and “people of God”.
- Connections between knowledge and across disciplines are made explicit.
- Meaningful activities for boys relate school learning to the world outside the classroom.
Choice
- Pathways provide boys with choice about their learning from whole school and classroom perspectives.
- Opportunities for boys to make choices about learning and assessment are incorporated wherever possible.
- Choices make learning more meaningful for boys.
Challenge
- Through appropriate learning challenges higher order thinking, deep knowledge and understanding are developed.
- Focus is on identifying and solving intellectual and/or contemporary “real-world” problems.
- Strategies to ensure success are incorporated.
- Examination of ethical and moral decision making in the search for truth.
Creativity
- Developing imagination is foundational to developing creativity and empathy.
- Creative solutions to problem solving are encouraged.
- Creative expression and learning in diverse forms are encouraged.
Conversation
- Sustained conversation at depth is essential in developing quality learning.
- This level of conversation is founded on mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance.