Shining Lights Week 2, Term 3, 27/7/2023
Habits of Mind for Lifelong Learning
The teaching and learning philosophy of Lumen Christi Catholic College is to challenge students to ask big questions and for student to develop good habits of mind that would support them in their growth and lifelong learning.
Over 30 years ago, Art Kosta and Bena Kallick developed the Habits of Mind Framework describing and promoting good learning dispositions. Habits of mind can be used in many contexts to help students to work through the problems of school and life as they journey toward becoming lifelong learners.
The Habits of mind framework describes 16 elements thought and action.
As our senior students commence their trial HSC exams, it is a good time for all students and familes to think carefully about how they develop their learning across the years of school. The framework is not sequential, but for me a great place to start is with developing the habit of persistence. Kosta and Kallick tell us to “stick to it!” remain focused, find ways to clear blockages in your learning and don’t be discouraged by failure.
Sometimes, things don’t go to plan, but every mistake and setback has to be a learning experience too.
We wish all of our HSC students the very best for their trial exams.
Semester 1 Awards
Last week we celebrated our Semester 1 Awards. Let me make a few observations….
I need to thank Kate Liddell in the Front Office for the preparation of the awards – a bit of pressure getting it all right, in correct order etc etc Great job! Heaps of complexities given K to 12, multiple subjects, subjects over Stages…
College Captains Sam and Alex MCd… two of the best ever (really). Got a feeling that later in the year I might have an opportunity to write about them at length in a formal context – looking forward to it.
Then (I’ll try to be chronological), the Anthem. One of my favourite things to do is bag out the Male Choir in a quasi- paternal- pride sort of way, BUT THEY WERE ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD!!! I hate it when I’m wro, wron, mist may have to reconsider my previous position in the light of new, startling, information.
Aah. Ouch. Athletics Carnival. Carly (like Sam and Alex) is perhaps a Yr 12 leader who will better acknowledged later in the year. On her watch, the spectre of a Monaroo resurgence may be in prospect. She is too competitive really, I pretended not to care. I might have created a monster.
Service Awards – proud of all of these kids. I know Ethan Barnes and Sam Banks particularly well. They often follow me around limiting my foolish exposure and embarrassment as someone who can’t make anything electrical work. Thank you gentlemen.
SJA grants – what a wonderful organisation! Mick Brosnan sets an impossible model of selflessness, decency and compassion. He is always my humility check – he sets the bar too high I’m afraid.
The big groups start coming through.
I remember that I forgot to organise Mr and Mrs Lynn to do the photos, Mrs Hergenhan to run the folders and the Heads of House to marshal the groups outside.
I turn around to do this, when I discover Mr and Mrs Lynn already doing the photos, Mrs Hergenhan already running the folders and the Heads of House marshalling the groups outside. They’re good.
Leading Learner Awards – great kids. Mr Giles/Crawford/Lynn talk about inspiring the learning of others, modelling the way and so on. All good. What I actually think of first is how these kids, in nearly 100% of instances, are the kids who are positive and involved in and about all aspects of school (learning being but one). They are also the servers / helpers / ideas people / participators / leaders in most things.
Primary first. The stand out for me is how primary kids support each, are really pleased for each other. This contrasts with secondary who are sometimes so disappointing with their adolescent spiel (eg Do I need to go if I’m not getting an award / do I actually have to go and get my award – its soooo embarrassing / I’m way too cool for any of that).
Some longstanding Lumen family names in Primary make me smile…
The Secondary Growth Mindset and Academic Awards. There is an argument that if I don’t know you, it’s a good thing. Disappointingly there is some truth in this. Anyway, I had never met Cori Knapman in Year 7, the recipient of five academic awards. Stella effort.
In Yr 8, Alexia Spitzer is a special kid – nine awards including four Academic. No pressure, but I thought I saw School Captain 2027 stamped on her forehead.
A music break – Axel Bobeldyk. Stunningly good. Wish I knew more about music. Have my regular envious-of-Mr-Fragnito moment.
Alexia’s effort was matched by Mark Badewitz (in Yr 10) who received an Academic Award for every subject he undertakes; eight I think. I’ll leave him alone as he is the most humble of kids and wont thank me for mentioning him, but you can imagine what a pleasure he is to teach. Not because of the results, but because of his appetite for learning. Sensational.
I also would like to acknowledge the great academic efforts of Charlotte Fraser, Jontae Thompson, Imogen Bichard, Chloe Radford, Max Chaplin and Lillyanne Stone. These were the standouts probably. Some more Yr 10s and Seniors. Well done. We’re starting to talk serious aptitude in some (for me) very scary things like Mathematics and the Sciences.
I have deliberately talked about the academic side of the awards, that’s OK and shouldn’t be downplayed. But I’m going to end with my magic moments which are a bit different.
Kayla Smith (in Yr 11) and I go way back. I’m sure that Kayla wouldn’t object if I characterised her school career up to this point a “chequered.” To see Kayla pick up an award, in immaculate uniform, beaming, positive… I remember some of the toe to toes we had in Yr 8, Yr 9 and Yr 10. Whole blocks had to be evacuated.
A better man might have teared up. Kayla is now a role model.
Matt Thomas in Yar 11 is also a special (from struggler to star with a bullet). You have my greatest respect.
Fortunately, and I was worried, time allowed for Mr Giles to celebrate the kids at the end. Nice round up.
So, to all the academic winners – well done!
And to all the Kaylas and Matts and potential Kaylas and Matts and to all those who are working to get there. Well done to you too! Don’t underestimate yourself, ever, if you are prepared to have a go.
Don’t accept less than your best self.
