By connecting to the real world of students’ lives, authentic learning enables students to become lifelong learners who contribute to society and the wider world as active and discerning citizens. Authentic learning is central to our work as Catholic educators because it promotes the continual growth and wellbeing of the whole person — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically.
At Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School North Strathfield (OLA) our vision for learning is focused on the following core elements:
Centred on the learner
The heart of the learning experience at OLA is knowing our learners. Every member of our community is a learner including children of every age, parents, teachers and community leaders. We continually strive to better understand the student as well as the learner. This is integral to providing a quality learning experience.
By knowing our learners we are in an ideal position to design learning appropriate for them, suited to their specific needs and their interests. Learning is carefully planned, provides a challenge for all and allows opportunity for growth. When we are centered on the learner, we are better equipped to provide the best possible conditions for learning to flourish.
Relationships
As a community of learners, we build and encourage connections and links with different people. This might include those within our class, school and parish; but also those in the wider community and beyond. These relationships are a catalyst for creating the best possible conditions for learning.
Our relationship with Mary helps us to know Christ, which strengthens our connections with each other. The dignity of every individual is at the heart of our actions.
Our learning space offers us the ideal opportunity to collaborate effectively, creating ideas together and learning alongside one another. We accept the role of stewards of our learning environment and understand the impact our space has on our experience.
When we learn together, there is a richness in the learning experience. Learners are more likely to engage with new ideas, seek out different perspectives and apply the feedback that those relationships provide. When there is a positive relationship it provides a foundation for individuals to thrive, learn to be challenged and risks to be taken.
Agency
Learners in our community have an ever-increasing responsibility to define their own experience of learning. Through developing skills and strategies, appropriate levels of independence and varied choices, a learner can begin to take control over the nature of their experience.
Learning at OLA inspires individuals to continually reflect on and improve their experiences. When reflecting on their experiences, every learner develops a clear sense of their own personal strengths, areas for development and strategies for growth.
Thinking
When learners in our community actively engage with authentic problems they are challenged to think creatively and critically. At OLA we openly talk about the mindset or disposition towards learning. All learners are taught to and encouraged to take time to reflect on the processes for learning and articulate their thinking and learning.
Students are taught and encouraged to think critically. This is evident when students discern information, think carefully about the choices they make or explore the perspective of others.
Learning at OLA is rich with opportunities for everyone to express their creativity. Our curriculum design provides opportunities to think creatively. Learners have the chance to fully realise their creative ideas and begin to implement them where possible. Innovation does not happen just within our classrooms. We offer our learners the chance to see the impact their ideas can have on the world.