Leading Schools Fund Project

It was reported in last year's Parraweena that the College had completed works on the new Flexible Learning Centre - or 'L' Block. Year 8 students continue to enjoy the new facility equipped with the latest Information Technology resources. This year however, the curriculum has been re-organised to better enable delivery of teaching and learning styles and strategies known to best engage students at this year level. Year 8 students have undertaken a semester of 'Integrated Studies' this year - a combination of English, SOSE and I.T. studies - for 8 periods per week; and have also had the benefit of Leading Schools Fund teacher coaches in the classroom.

Students enjoyed being a part of a 'special' group and working in the new facility with new resources. Working with more than one teacher at a time provided additional assistance where required and facilitated diverse groupings of students - they were able to work in one large group (3 homegroups), up to five smaller ones, and in mixed ability as well as ability groups. They have also been working in 'Tribes' - a program whose purpose is to assure the healthy development of every student so that each has the knowledge, skills and resiliency to be successful in a rapidly challenging world. They have engaged in learning experiences designed to allow them some choice, to negotiate their curriculum, monitor their own learning, develop leadership and team building skills, work at their own pace, reflect on their learning, apply their knowledge into other contexts and appreciate the contribution of others.

Students have reported that their interest in their learning has improved, that they enjoy school more, that their confidence and organisation have improved, that they get along better with others and that their motivation to learn has improved. Some direct comments from Year 8 students include:

"I liked working in groups and really liked working with people from other homegroups. I learnt a lot of skills."
- Megan

"I thought the learning centre experience was great! I liked the teachers and had fun working with other homegroups."

"It has helped us to make more friends and the teachers have helped us be more confident with our selves and that is really good."
- Toni

"It was a very easy way to learn about being leader. I would encourage others to try and get involved as much as possible. It is an excellent experience."
- Jacqui

"The learning centre is great. It has a lot of things I enjoy for example the computers, cameras, projectors and more…it was interesting and fun."

"I think it was a better learning environment because it was really open and you could work with different classes as well as on your own."

"I liked learning in this centre because it is an environment of learning that I haven't worked in before. I also enjoyed it a lot and I loved the use of computers and laptops!"

"I think that it is good to have a learning centre because you have more space to learn and you're not distracted by other classes. I also like the six thinking hats because they help a lot when you are doing a reflection on your work."