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OCTOBER 19, 2014 THE SUNDAY AGE 1

Innovation in education
Some of the most
exciting developments in education
are to do with creativity and emotional wellbeing.
ducation has seen
more innovation in its
methods, practices,
tools and philosophies
in the past 10 to 15 years
than in the 100 years before that.
Naturally, weve leaped along
in technological bounds and
classrooms have never been so
efficient and exciting as they are
since laptops, tablets and other
devices arrived on the scene, but
thanks to scientific discoveries
about how our brains work,
there have also been mega shifts
in how and what students are
taught.
Theres also been a whole new
approach to pastoral care.
Shelford Girls Grammar
principal, Polly Flanagan, says:
Some of the most innovative
things that are happening in
education are to do with creativity, and social and emotional
wellbeing and development.
To that end, the 116 year-old
girls school in Caulfield is currently the only school in Australia piloting the MYTERN (Take
Emotional Responsibility Now)
program from ELC to Year 12.
Aimed at children and adults, the
program is a preventative intervention designed to create emotional fitness and increase
resilience and wellbeing, says
Ms Flanagan. If children are resilient they can handle the
added pressures of life and
therefore can perform better,
have more successful relationships and be happier.
MYTERN teaches them how
to build that resilience.
Developed by Dr Jane Foster,
MYTERN is a strategy based on
the metaphor that life is a journey and that we can influence
our thoughts and emotions if we
take control of the steering
wheel as we travel lifes roads.
Some roads build your health
and feel good and others build

your resilience, but dont feel so

good. No roads are bad; it is OK
to travel on all roads but we
shouldnt stay on the resilient
roads for too long as doing so
can affect our health. MYTERN
gives people a language with
which to easily express their
feelings, something that many
children and adults find difficult.
Shelford embedded MYTERN
into its student wellbeing program, Quaerite (its motto which
means to search, discover or find
out), and it has been extremely
popular with all age groups, including parents and staff, with
many signing up for MYTERNs
daily supportive text message
which is soon to be launched as
an app.
Ms Flanagan was drawn to the
program because its very simple, it didnt cost a fortune, and it
didnt interrupt the normal
things we do.
When I looked at it closely, I
couldnt disagree with any of it. It
draws on the basic principles of
mindfulness and positive psy-

ABOVE: Shelfords end-of-year art

exhibition is projected onto the
schools 1860s mansion.
FROM LEFT: Principal, Polly
Flanagan; the school has
embraced MYTERN for wellbeing.

chology and helps everyone to

learn that they can take control
of their emotions and reactions
in everyday life. No matter what
the circumstances you have, the
option to change the way you
feel, she says.
With about 550 students,
Shelford is a smaller school, but
one known to be strong in its
visual and performing arts.
Theres an expectation that
were going to be innovative and

N
I
M
G
E
A
I

A bright learning future with us

2014 OPEN MORNING

creative, says Ms Flanagan,

and we are!
Consequently, the schools annual VCE art exhibition was reimagined by art staff and is now
more of a social affair that includes presentations from all
age groups, which are projected
onto the schools original 1860s
mansion. Its important that students and staff are encouraged
to be innovative and present
their ideas both within and out-

side the classroom, says Ms

Flanagan.
Its imperative to appreciate
innovation in all its contexts.
Theres the physical new
buildings and learning spaces,
the pedagogical new ways of
teaching and learning and
theres also the social and emotional, and I think this area is incredibly important, says Ms
Flanagan.
I want a Shelford student to
leave here and be able to confidently say, this is what I stand for,
if I draw on my values and knowledge of myself I can cope with
anything. It doesnt mean I wont
have tough times, I will because
thats what lifes about, but Im
ready to face the world and
make a contribution to it.
ANDREA BISHOP

THE

G E E LON
LONG
C OL L E G E
sic itur ad astra

Wed 22 October from 9.15am

ng college.vic. ed u. au
Find out more and r eg ist er at ge elo

NATAGE T001

THE AGE Sunday, October 19, 2014

INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

Advertising feature

Wesley College IB Diploma students. Wesley will introduce a new uniform in 2016,
designed to reflect both traditional and contemporary elements of the school.

Primary pupils of The Geelong College dont need any prompting as they demonstrate
how easy it is for young minds to be creative and innovative.

A tradition of
being progressive

Learning what to do
with knowledge

ince 1866, Wesley College has

been committed to being an innovative and leading educational
institution. Since then, Wesley
was one of the first Australian
schools to introduce the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
(1991); has created a unique partnership
with the Aboriginal people of the Fitzroy
Valley community to develop the
Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School (1994);
and this year, opened a new performing
arts precinct at the St Kilda Road campus
equipped with the latest technology.
Principal, Helen Drennen, says: Also
very important for the college was that 80
per cent of demolition and construction
waste from the old Music School was set
aside for re-use, or recycled.
The new building has a five-star green
rating in design with automated shut
down, when not occupied, for airconditioning, lighting and so forth. Rainwater is collected and stored for use in
toilets and for irrigation.
Dr Drennen believes that innovations

in new frameworks for learning, outside

the traditional classroom, have developed curriculum in new and innovative ways.
Developments in student assessment
at school have also been transformative,
she says. Now, a focus is on finding new
ways to measure growth of individual students, in addition to the measurement of
their academic attainment and performance.
Continuing its commitment to innovation, the school will re-introduce (in 2016,
at the Glen Waverley campus) boarding in
a contemporary way through a model
called Learning in Residence, says Dr
Drennen. The exciting, multipurpose
Years 10-12 residential development will
provide a real-life context for holistic experiential learning and builds on the rich
history of such residential experiences at
Wesley a century of boarding, four decades of outdoor education and the highlyacclaimed residential learning programs
in Clunes for Year 9 and at Yiramalay for
Years 10, 11 and 12.

nowledge is important, certainly, but understanding how

that knowledge can best be
used takes a different way of
thinking.
The Geelong College principal, Andrew
Barr, says: Weve moved so far beyond
mere knowledge and content, to how to
apply knowledge decision making, critical thinking and problem solving its a
new dimension of education.
For that to be successful including
goal setting and reflection that really
has to be more with the learner than with
our traditional focus on the teacher. If we
understand that students need to be given greater responsibility, then we need to
accept them as innovators as well.
The school recently opened its Centre
for Learning, Research and Innovation
(CLR & I), partly as an incentive to attract
and retain high quality teachers.
According to the Geelong College website, in partnership with Deakin University, the CLR & I aims to create outstanding professional development op-

portunities for the schools staff, students and parents, and then more broadly
for teachers and schools in the region.
This will be achieved through a range of
lectures by key educators, individual research projects by staff, and research collaborations with Deakin University.
Our profession is one thats going
through a stage where theres a lot of
research being done and its something to
harness and link into, says Mr Barr. It
enables us to use an element of what
universities are good at, and schools, as
far as universities are concerned, are a
laboratory of learning, so it assists them.
Mr Barr appreciates the specific expertise universities can offer in terms of a
high level of thinking that can come into
project work as well as their links with
the corporate world and real-life projects.
Change and innovation is developed in
the context and culture of a particular
school and happens at the ground level,
he says. You have to have a clear vision
for a school, then people work collaboratively in developing that vision.

Our students say it better than us.

At Kilvington Grammar, we promote our School here like lots of other schools to attract parents like you who want an outstanding academic and
well-rounded education for your children. But hearing why we are a great School from us is not the same as hearing it from our students. So we
asked them to rate the five best things about Kilvington. Below is the result. Of course, there are many other reasons as well. To find out why you
should consider a Kilvington education for your child, contact us on (03) 9578 6231, email registrar@kilvington.vic.edu.au, or go to www.kilvington.vic.edu.au.

Small enough to care, big enough to excel.

1. EVERYONE KNOWS EACH OTHER

2. SIZE IS GOOD (NOT TOO BIG!)

3. TEACHERS ARE REALLY SUPPORTIVE

4. CHALLENGING IN A GOOD WAY

5. LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THINGS

NATAGE T002

Sunday, October 19, 2014 THE AGE

INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

Advertising feature

Developing as
critical thinkers
New ideas are
reflected in all subjects when students
are inspired.
ts easy to fall into the trap of
thinking that innovation is all
about technology and where
its going to take us next, but
in reality fresh ideas can and
do spring forth in any educational
domain.
At St Catherines school in
Toorak, innovation has well and
truly blown its way into the art
curriculum with artist-inresidence Cameron Robbins and
his wind-generated drawing machine demonstrating to students
the links that exist between art,
music, science, technology, engineering and geography.
Director of curriculum innovation and development, Adrian
Puckering, says: Innovation
comes in all forms. The engineering involved in constructing the
machine, that packs up into a
portable box for easy transport to
different locations, allows students to understand how to calculate the ratios needed to create

the moving parts and assemble it

correctly to allow the wind to turn
all the different sized cogs and
wheels.
Students learn about counter
balance, how to tie knots to support the machine from high
winds, the direction of the wind
and rain on the roof, with discussions drawing links to all subject
areas. From ELC to Year 12, students have had the opportunity
to diversify their understanding
of how art can be made in an innovative manner using science,
engineering and geography.
Mr Puckering believes that innovation is a term that is often
equated to any change in education, whereas he prefers to see it
as disciplined imagination, with
innovation at St Catherines referring to a way of improvement via
purposeful interventions.
With this thinking, whether referring to a pedagogy, learning
spaces, content, feedback or analytics, we are able to change the
existing paradigms through a medium which empowers our experienced practitioners within a
next-practice culture of organised discovery, he says.
The greatest paradigm shift
has been in reinterpreting the

It is the access to information and not merely access to technology which has proven to be the real revolution.

question of who owns the learning? In a world where being literate in the 21st Century is being
fundamentally re-defined we
must be digitally, scientifically,
creatively and information literate, he says.
At St Catherines, we are therefore challenging our pedagogy,
our pre-class, in-class and postclass experiences, our learning
paradigm and our methods of assessment to ensure that all our
students are getting the utmost
from every learning experience.

In 2014, it is perhaps the access to information and not

merely access to technology
which has proven to be the real
revolution, and therefore all innovation at St Catherines has at
its core the goal of developing
students who are critical thinkers
who can challenge and validate
information to make better decisions in an increasingly complex
world.
More than 720 students attend
the all girls school that was established in 1896. Mr Puckering says

that successful innovations at

schools are usually brought
about by a number of people, but
it begins with the leaders.
When such leadership empowers others, supports a compelling vision and helps foster a
forward-thinking disposition then
barriers are reduced and possibilities flourish, he says.
Innovation is often incremental rather than radical, but in time
transformation does occur and
keeps us relevant, contemporary
and at the forefront of learning.

A chance to

shine
St Leonards College nurtures our brightest
creative minds, allowing them to truly shine.
Our investment in excellence goes beyond our
reputation for academic performance. We are
particularly proud of the success of our
musicians in National competitions and of our
thespians unprecedented Victorian Musical
Theatre Guild success.
We ensure all students have the chance and
confidence to be excited by their brilliance.

Join us on a College tour to understand why

our students shine.
Visit our website for more information and tour dates.

An education for life.

St Leonards Colleges Hart Theatre Company
Winner, Musical Theatre Guild of Victoria Junior Production of the Year 2012 and 2013

163 South Road Brighton East 3187

stleonards.vic.edu.au
NATAGE T003

THE AGE Sunday, October 19, 2014

INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

Advertising feature
Deputy principal, Teresa
Deshon, with Year 8 and 9
students and one of the 3D
printing creations.

Multi-dimensions
ignite imagination
iewing and
appreciating
technological
innovation from afar is
one thing, but possibly
being one of the first schools in
Australia to bring the realm of 3D
printing into the classroom is
something else!
Kilvington Grammar deputy
principal, Teresa Deshon, says
the school has always been a
leader in the area of IT. Our
overall approach to IT in the
curriculum is to ensure were
developing deep and critical
thinkers, she says.
As such, Ms Deshon and head
of curriculum IT, Ms Kirsty Watts,
researched the possibility of
using 3D printing to enhance
learning. They realised that to sell
the concept to the school, 3D

printing needed to offer much

more than novelty value.
They soon understood that
the theory concepts and
practical applications relate to a
range of subject areas including
IT, art and design, science,
engineering, robotics,
mathematics and humanities,
says Ms Deshon.
The school now has three 3D
printers and aims to acquire more
because they have been so well
incorporated into the curriculum
and are a hit with students,
teachers and parents.
The printers are used by Years
6 to 9 for projects such as
designing and producing a
playground, creating characters
for use in stop-motion films and
ebooks, and building a robot
piece by intricate piece.

Advanced students are using

complex computer aided design
software to build a boat. It seems
theres no end to ideas flowing in
from students and already theres
talk of designing rockets with
ignition capabilities. This kind of
engagement shows benefits in all
subjects because the school
engages in a lot of cross-curricula
work. Next year, Kilvington
Grammar School will open a

purpose-equipped 3D lab with

this and other technologies.
The theory concepts of
planning in multiple dimensions,
manufacturing and product
design, abstract and lateral
thinking can be used across the
curriculum, says Ms Deshon.
For students to create, design
and develop something that can
then be printed in 3D not only
engages them in a more

You have to ask the question:

what is important in life?

purposeful way with their theory,

but also gives them an insight
into the skills and tools required
to produce, manufacture and
build. In terms of method, content
and tools, this innovation
addresses all of those.
The school already has its
sights set on 4D printing, but for
the time being is content with
being leaders in understanding
the benefits of 3D printing in
schools. Weve been approached
by EduTech and FutureSchools to
present sessions at a national
conference next year because
were a school thats been able to
find a sustainable, economic and
pedagogically sound approach to
this thats working in our
curriculum, says Ms Deshon.
The fact that weve been able
to do it and contribute to the
wider educational community to
show how it can be done is
fantastic.

Ope
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on T Mornin
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23 O rsday
9.00 ctober
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Star
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Be Part of Something Great

Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum / Nothing is great unless it is good
St Catherines School proudly delivers an engaging
educational program in our Junior School that provides
a sequential approach to learning and facilitates a
sound transition into Year 7. Our focus on developing
an excellent work ethic ensures a strong foundation for
effective learning and long-term academic success. The
Senior School curriculum is innovative and offers an
extensive range of subjects and co-curricular activities.
Offering a personalised level of academic care and
exceptional educational opportunities, St Catherines
is a place for your daughter to excel.

Phase Two of our Senior School Renewal,

incorporating a newly refurbished Library, Careers
and IT Hub, has recently opened and we invite you
and your family to visit the School to tour through these
outstanding facilities and meet our students and staff.
To secure your Tour at our Open Morning
on Thursday 23 October, please contact our
Registrar, Ms Amanda Bennett on 03 9828 3071
or email admissions@stcatherines.net.au

ST CATHERINES SCHOOL
A Day and Boarding School for Girls, ELC to Year 12
17 Heyington Place Toorak VIC 3142 | T: (03) 9822 1285 | www.stcatherines.net.au

A true education

Twilight Tours
Thursday 30 October
5.30pm 7pm

In 2013:
Five Year 12 students achieved the highest possible ATAR score of 99.95
Wesley College was the top IB school in Victoria
Wesley College was the top coeducational IB school in Australia
tudents in our enior chool Years 10 12 ourish with broad acade ic choice
including 73 subjects across VC I
iplo a and V T as well as a ultitude
of cocurricular opportunities.
To nd out

ore go to www.wesleycollege.net or call Ad issions on 8102 6888

She

will amaze herself

Celebrating 21 years
of International Baccalaureate

Elsternwick Glen Waverley St Kilda Road

NATAGE T004

Shelford

At Shelford, girls achieve far

more than they ever thought
possible. Contact Judy Ciolli
on 9524 7418 to register
for a tour.

www.shelford.vic.edu.au
Shelford Girls Grammar
ELC to Year 12
3 Hood Crescent,
Cauleld.