As educators, it is our responsibility to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With a rapidly changing landscape encompassing technological advancement, globalisation, and environmental sustainability, the next generation need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate and succeed in an ever evolving world.
We deliver educational excellence but also develop critical and creative thinking. We encourage deep learning, foster curiosity and cultivate innovation.
The St Aidan’s Junior School delivers The Australian Curriculum.
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
Our learning culture at St Aidan’s places great emphasis on achieving educational excellence, by expecting high standards through the delivery of a rigorous curriculum. However, as William Butler Yeats observed, 'Education is not merely the filling of a pail, but it is the lighting of a fire.' For this reason, we strive to instill a love of learning in our students and create an environment that not only emphasises knowledge but one that ignites a passion for learning and discovery.
Our teaching philosophy is focused on a student-centred approach, where students are actively engaged in the learning process and encouraged to take ownership of their own education. Our teachers foster this by prompting students to ask questions and explore new ideas.
We strongly believe in experiential learning as a key element of our learning culture. We recognise that students learn best through hands-on experiences and offer opportunities for them to engage in real-world learning both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes active participation in excursions, incursions, and hands-on investigations.
Another crucial aspect of our learning culture is our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. We actively work towards creating a welcoming environment for all students. We celebrate different cultures and perspectives and encourage our students to share their own unique backgrounds and experiences.
Through our commitment to educational excellence, a student-centred approach, experiential learning, a focus on diversity, and inclusion, we strive to create a learning culture that lights a fire within our students, rather than simply filling a pail.
"I possess no special talents; I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
At St Aidan’s, we place a strong emphasis on nurturing curiosity in our students. We actively encourage their questions and speculations, fostering a spirit of inquiry.
We encourage our girls to be:
The benefits of curiosity are extensive. It leads to new knowledge, experiences, and creative thinking, resulting in effective solutions, satisfaction, and confidence. Curiosity is evident throughout our Junior School, from sticky questions and philosophical discussions to language exploration and wonder walls. We encourage reading to spark curiosity and promote a culture of lifelong learning.
Reflecting on fostering curiosity, we are reminded of Einstein and how his insatiable curiosity led to remarkable discoveries.
