Principal's Log

One of joys of walking around the College is that there are so many incidental moments of great learning that are encountered. 

Over the past fortnight I have enjoyed talking to the Prep students as they were investigating how they might use a water container at the base of the wall to change the story of Humpty Dumpty to a better outcome. Their energy and breadth and depth of thinking about the problem were inspiring. 

Still within the STEM vein, it was good to walk through the industrial technology area and see the Year 9 STEM 1 students begin to construct their individually designed projects. They have taken up the challenge of attempting to design an innovative solution to a problem they have identified. Just as in life beyond school, there will be designs that will be successful and those that will not work. Great learning will happen no matter the outcome.

Later in the newsletter we read about the Year 4 Out of Eden Walk, which is an international learning opportunity that connects our Year 4 classes with students from across the world. Through this project, young people learn to slow down and observe, exchange stories about people and places and reflect on how their own lives connect to bigger human stories as they respond to the journey of journalist Paul Salopek as he treks along the Silk Road from Africa to South America.

Teachers too are engaged in ongoing learning. Today, a small group of teachers worked with international educational consultant Mr Mark Church to begin the process of planning their individual inquiry projects. These research action projects have a focus on improving student learning within their own classes. Teachers who engaged in this project last year described it as one of the better professional development activities they had experienced. We look forward to growing through these individual inquiry projects.

These are just some examples of the richness of learning that occurs at the College each week. We hope that the newsletter and other communication strategies such as Facebook enable all members of our community to value the many and varied ways that young people’s lives are enhanced through their engagement with activities across all dimensions of their lives. I would encourage families to read articles outside of their age group to appreciate the richness of the learning that occurs within your Pacific community.  There are many other activities described later in the newsletter that are worthy of great celebration. Fully knowing your learning community strengthens your capacity to make the most of the opportunities presented. Attendance at the Friends of Pacific meetings is another great way to develop a deeper understanding of your community.

May God give us the stillness and mindfulness to take advantage of those random moments where small acts of kindness could make a great difference.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal