Done. Finished. Complete. Well, not quite. Because in the quiet moments we find time for reflection. And in the reflection we can learn much. I’m sitting here at my dining room table with a cup of coffee having enjoyed my first week of the summer break. Reflecting on the year, here’s what I’ve learnt about…
Read MoreOn the Development of a Pastoral Curriculum
Typically, when teachers consider school curricula, the prevailing idea is that of academic disciplines: Maths, English and Science receiving the most credence within the entire spectrum of subjects. But few educators would argue with any real seriousness that this is the only thing that determines the nurturing of young minds. The development of character, values,…
Read MoreIs it Worth It?
Imagine you had a choice of seeing Star Wars or Forest Gump. Or, imagine having to make the choice between chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Which would you choose? As creators of school curricula, we are always confronted with choice. What is worthy knowledge? What is deemed as the best? What should we spend our…
Read MoreDoing More than Expected
This week saw the resumption of full online learning for my children. At the end of the weekend, the usual drill of the evening is to prepare for school: make the lunches, prepare books and ensure there’s a clean uniform to be worn. But over the last year and some odd months, the ritual of…
Read MoreIt All Starts at the Gate
And that’s because gates are thresholds and thresholds symbolise beginnings. I’m reminded of the Chronicles of Narnia stories where the protagonists stand at the entrance of a portal that leads to another world. This is somewhat like the start of school where students leave one world; home and the outside, and then enter the world…
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