PR E PA R ATORY S C HO OL
Pillars of Growth
In order to co-create new understandings
and new neural pathways, students (and
adults) need three things in place in order
for them to succeed. These three pillars of
growth are at the core of our Teaching and
Learning philosophy as well as our Pastoral
Care model. If we truly want our students
of today to be the change-makers, creators,
innovators and just, loving and peaceful
citizens of their future we, as educators,
parents and as a community need to go
forward from educational paradigms which
restrict co-creation of understanding. We, in
the Preparatory School, have worked together
on a pedagogical understanding of how
young students learn best through inquiry,
rigour, awe, wonder, exploration, failure and
seeking questions and answers. They must
also be able to read with understanding, write
and communicate effectively and have a core
understanding of the mathematical, historical
and scientific underpinnings of our current
knowledge and experience.
The three pillars necessary for co-creation
of understanding from the simple “Why?”
question (never that simple really) to the
more multi-faceted and complex questions
surrounding sustainability, resources, student
voice, and “why is the sky blue?”, how
do tadpoles turn into frogs?” and all the
products of wonder are:
1. Critical and innovative thinking
2. Inter and intrapersonal skills
3. Physical and psychological health
No longer can we blissfully assume that
information we read or hear is factual or
understand the inherent bias behind the
facts, the numbers or the opinion. Our
students must investigate further to broaden
perspectives and grasp the complexity of
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information. We, as educators and families,
need to instil and model these critical and
creative thinking skills. Whereas creative
thinking tries to create something new,
critical thinking seeks to assess the validity
in something that already exists. We want
to listen to experts in their field and ask
them why do they believe that? This was not
necessarily a tool or habit of mind that we
were taught in school, but it is imperative to
have this mindset moving forward.
Our students
must investigate
further to broaden
perspectives and grasp
the complexity of
information.
“Critical and creative thinking are integral
to activities that require students to think
broadly and deeply using skills, behaviours
and dispositions such as reason, logic,
resourcefulness, imagination and innovation
in all learning areas at school and in their
lives beyond school.” This comes straight out
of our very own Australian Curriculum.
Inter and intrapersonal skills often refer
to our oft-maligned ‘soft skills’. This over
focus on the importance of hard skills over
soft skills is repeatedly evident in our world
where ethics and values take a back seat to
consumerism and greed. Developing and
practicing interpersonal intelligences (an
area too many education systems downplay)
refers to one’s skills and ability to interact
with others using empathy, vulnerability and
understanding the intentions and feelings of
others. The key to intrapersonal development
from a young age is the skills and ability
with introspection to understand one’s own
intentions, motivations and feelings. Both
inter and intrapersonal development are
crucial to the academic, social and emotional
growth in our students from Little Explorers
through to Year 6.
The third pillar is as important as the other
two and has too often in the past been
ignored or minimised. A student’s physical
and psychological health is paramount for
them to be able to thrive and inspire them
to achieve personal excellence. Mind, body
and spirit need to be a focus for every child
so that they are ready and connected to their
learning and the myriad of opportunities in
the Preparatory School. We see the spiritual,
physical and aesthetic growth of our students
in their daily practice and integration as a
core component to their success at school
and in life.
If you would like to see students embracing
these three pillars, seeking knowledge
and understanding, educators working
dynamically within the curriculum to
create opportunities and a community
co-creating the best educational program
and environment, then please drop in any
day and experience this in action. If you are
an Old Guildfordian, a former Preparatory
School student, parent or staff member,
please contact us and come in to see what
we are all on about. We are GGS!
Mr Clark Wight
Head of Preparatory School