Forward focus – thinking about young adolescents and meeting their specific needs.

A few reflections arising from a symposium in WA – Yr 7 into Secondary Schools

I began my week  in Perth this week, by attending a symposium, organised by Brisbane Catholic Education Office, where approximately 120 leaders from Catholic schools around Queensland came together to learn of the experiences of our WA colleagues.  Year 7 became a part of catholic secondary schools in Western Australia, about 5 years ago and to be able to listen to leaders from, and visit a number of those campuses has been very engaging, but most importantly, reaffirming. To hear of the types of strategies and programs that have been implemented in a wide cross section of schools in Perth has provided a number of ideas and tools, as well as reaffirmed many processes that we have in place at our school, as we journey forward to 2015 and beyond.

Re-affirming to me …. because I know that we already have a strong focus on the  transition of our girls and understand that  their sense of ‘belonging‘ is the key to success; we always make purposeful links and connections with our feeder schools; implementing (and improving) our orientation processes that enable our young students a time to come , to met their teachers and other girls, to feel part of our community; and through our Pastoral structure we are dedicated to the ongoing care and development of our girls.  We clearly understand the importance of belonging to a Franciscan community and make that central to our transition processes.

Re-affirming to me …. because, we have a strong emphasis on middle years curriculum that is integrated and connected; ensuring core teachers are working with their learning groups, building strong relationships with their girls and gaining a very clear understanding of their students learning strengths and needs; providing programs of learning that are challenging, engaging and relevant. We have a dedicated group of Curriculum leaders and teachers collaborating and working to ensure the success of all of our middle years learners.

…. And re-affirming to know that we are so well positioned for changes that are ahead; where we will develop new and exciting programs and processes to welcome our first cohort of year 7s, to ensure that we are meeting the developmental needs of not only our year 7s, but our year 8s and 9s (and beyond).

It is re-affirming also to know that we can learn from the experiences of others and then to build on what we already do; to ensure that what we as educators put into practice for our learners is purposeful and relevant. Of equal  importance, is for us to understand that we can (and probably will) make some mistakes along the way, but that everything we do will ultimately be of benefit to all members of our community.  To learn and grow and journey is of the utmost importance in any process of change and development.   To be brave enough to say, “yes, this is what we will do”, to implement, to evaluate and to refine; that is just as important in any process of change, as important as the changes that we make.

To learn directly  from others,  to talk with them, to ask questions of them and to share with them,  is the most effective way of learning. It is wonderful to make connections across Australia and to learn.  It is modelling within our community that is most effective.  The middle years journey we are on (at our place) has truly positioned us well as we work towards 2015, and welcoming our first cohort of year 7s.

Storify – Year 7 into Secondary Symposium – A middle years focus