PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Moving forward with Mr Clark Wight
One thing I love about our School motto is that it compels us to be future-focused , adaptable to change and new opportunities . This feeling of perpetual ‘ forwardness ’ does not allow us to rest on our laurels or past successes or failures . In its inherent energy , Go Forward compels us as individuals and as a school to ‘ get in the arena ’ and make things happen .
In the Preparatory School , over the last five years , we have worked diligently to put the students at the forefront of our decisionmaking and transformation . Valuing student voice , student ideas , student wellbeing , student growth , student learning and the dayto-day experiences of each student was a top priority . It was challenging at times listening to student voice when we began . Students told us about places at the School that they wanted to make safer , rules that didn ’ t make sense and ideas they had to improve our school . Not easy , but crucial conversations .
The other challenge we faced was around freeing up our outstanding teachers to move away from reams of photocopied workbooks toward more authentic learning that was tailored to the needs of students in each year level . We still focused on the basics , but we also launched in-depth , cross-curricular inquiries that allowed students to work at their developmental ability and fully engage in the joy of learning , discovery , curiosity and wonder . We stood on the shoulders of educational professionals around the world who have been immersed in authentic inquiry-based learning for decades . It has been diligent and continual work from our teaching staff to build competency and depth of understanding around this proven style of education .
Our other focus has been to unpack , live and truly embody our School values . We added kindness as a ‘ sibling ’ to compassion so that we could have our S . T . I . C . K . E . R values – thanks to Mrs Carol Ray for creating them . Our rules and restorative practice mirrored our values and it looked and felt different for parents , staff and students . But , yet again , this standard for creating and maintaining a positive school culture started to change things . It has taken five years and we have this embedded within students and staff , and most Preparatory School parents . Our students can discuss the five W ’ s and start to solve issues before they begin , helping to prepare them for life . They can fix issues when they make a mistake , also preparing them for life . The five W ’ s are : 1 . What happened ? 2 . What was the result ? 3 . What could you do differently next time ? 4 . What is the result going to be then ? 5 . What do you need to do to fix this now ?
We are incredibly proud of our journey over these last five years ; but we are not ‘ there ’ yet . We need to continue to refine , learn , grow and challenge ourselves to be even better , which is what we aspire every student to do . In order to take the Preparatory School forward , we need a leader and team who can continue to grow and excel . I am confident and incredibly excited that this is Dr Holly Miller and her team , and they can do this !
For me , I get to continue to do what I love ; continue to work with Guildford Grammar School and it ’ s community on values-based leadership and on programs and initiatives that we desperately need in education for our students and their future .
However , I will really miss , as many of you already know , my absolute favourite part of the day – working and speaking with students . From the morning handshake ritual we started , to student-led clubs , to their ideas , enthusiasm and concerns – I will miss the daily interaction with these amazing kids .
Lastly from me . Let ’ s be GGS and Go Forward .
Mr Clark Wight Head of Preparatory School
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