There is no rock large enough to hide beneath to avoid the sense of change that hangs in the air over education. While national curricula continue to enter our schools, the media is well furnished with the testimonials and plans from key stakeholders on the best methodology for teaching and learning.
Yet, like an IKEA wardrobe fresh from the warehouse, many of these plans remain boxed and in parts. Despite this, many of us would know a student like Adam, the Year 6 student seen in recent commercials, whose “mum reckons there’s nothing more important than education.” He also states that he doesn’t really know what he wants to be, he just wants “the chance to be whatever that is.” It is obvious that Adam’s sentiments are scripted but it doesn’t lessen the twofold impact of his lesson.
Firstly, it is vitally important that the value of education is made clear to students at home as well as at school and at ARRENDELL Education. In every case, a positive and interdependent relationship between the ‘school-front’ and the ‘home-front’ is a key factor in students achieving positive outcomes in all learning areas.
Adam’s testimonial also highlights the need for schools, tutors, families and students to work together to provide, and capitalise on, opportunities for exploration, investigation and growth at every stage of that student’s development. Important in this process is the reassurance that failure and mistakes are inherently human and are often more beneficial for long-term learning than successes and victories.
We should encourage our young Australians to take risks, to try new things and to challenge themselves. Ice-Hockey star Wayne Gretzky would remind us at this point that “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”