Principal@ Saint Paul's: The future for Saint Paul's

Modern Learning Environments
A Vision of the Future for Saint Paul's

Saint Paul's is on a journey of change. Our students live in the 21st century and will need to thrive in a digital environment that requires a unique set of skills. Our own teacher survey identified a lot of the attributes recommended by the meta analysis( in red) in the following graphic. The black text are the teachers responses.

To foster these skills( some new and some old) we have moved toward the use of digital tools and the associated changes in teaching practice. We are currently an optional BYOD school. Some teaching practice changes have been made to develop inquiring, independent and collaborative student learning. I believe these can be further facilitated by physical changes in the classroom environment. There is a wealth of research about the effectiveness of changes that open up the classroom and allow children spaces for different ways to learn. Teachers also benefit hugely from a the collaborative approach needed in these spaces as well. The Ministry of Education insist on schools having a plan for making physical changes over the next ten years. ( see the 10 Year Plan)

We are fortunate at Saint Paul's that the original architect had the development of 'Modern Learning Environments' in mind when he designed the building with a central 'break out' space ( or roost ). We have a keen advocate for M.L.E's in our Acting Deputy Principal. She is already running her classroom collaboratively during literacy time. She would like to start to continue with this by spilling out into the 'roost' through glass doors in Term 4. This would also give our junior students a consistent significant adult to bond with during their first two years at school. This is also recommended practice for children of this age and brain development. I have asked one of our parents to come and give us a ball park figure for this work.

With this all in mind I went with Sarah to have a look at Hampden Street School where they have created a modern learning environment in their senior block. I would like to organise a visit during school time for our Board members to see for themselves. This is the right time for us because we are thinking about and planning for a performance/meeting space. It is important for us to use our limited funds wisely and with the best possible outcomes for teaching and learning.