In Our Students' Own Words
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ORACLE ISSUE 2 2019 2019 AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION AWARDS WINNER Innovation in Curriculum Design A well-rounded education MINDFUL AND ALERT TO THE CALL FOR CREATIVITY In our students’ own words... From the Ormiston College reflects the individual spirit, integrity and values “of a co-educational, independent, non-denominational Christian school, Editor catering for students from Prep through to Year 12. Each time I commence a new edition of the Oracle, I experience two totally ” different predicaments. Firstly, the excitement‘ ’ at the thought of the many blank pages that lie ahead. Secondly, the ‘dilemma’ of having to choose which, out of the myriad of great newsworthy happenings, I can squeeze into one edition of the magazine. It is NOT easy. here are so many inspiring, spirited and amazing things happening throughout the entire Tcampus, from Prep through to Year 12, on a daily basis. One can safely say, ‘Ormiston College In this provides a well-rounded education’ and that is the theme for this edition. Issue We pride ourselves on giving our students every opportunity to reach their full potential, academically, emotionally, physically and socially. There are school camps, excursions, sports, new assignments in the Centre for Learning and Innovation, collaboration on projects, mateship and teamwork, music, art, science experiments, competitions, oral presentations and continuing academic achievements, the list goes on. If you could spend the time here alongside your children, you would certainly experience the diversity and the life skills they are exposed to everyday. As that is not possible – the following pages will allow you a brief glimpse into some of the latest happenings and accomplishments of Semester 2. Plus, you may enjoy reading some of the views, remarks and comments the students are making about 5 12 ‘their’ school. Congratulations Visual Art - the benefits of Valerie Warwick Ormiston College creativity in action ORACLE EDITOR 18 24 ORMISTON COLLEGE Design/Layout/Prepress Drama life skills: The importance 97 Dundas Street West • Ormiston Jessica King, Brand By Design Performing in the ‘Real World’ of learning music Queensland 4160 • Australia PO Box 1835 • Cleveland Photography Queensland 4163 • Australia Christopher Frederick Jones ABN 96 010 613 135 James Moloney Photography Ruth Ryan Photography Administration Staff, Students, Parents, Alumni P +61 7 3821 8999 E [email protected] Contributions welcome Please contact the editor Visit our website at [email protected] www.ormistoncollege.com.au 34 42 Inspiring news from the CLI Middle School Cup The Oracle | Ormiston College Ormiston College | The Oracle | 1 Our Centre for Learning and Innovation has become a vibrant “hub of activity. Its popularity with students and teaching staff has been extremely gratifying. ” From the Headmaster It has certainly been a progressive, stimulating and rewarding year for the entire College community. Progressive because we experienced successful advancement through the attainment of many of our goals; Stimulating because students, staff and College families are receiving untold benefits from the strategic priorities we set ourselves; Rewarding because we are not only achieving beyond our own expectations, we are being recognised and awarded by leaders in the field of education and technology. he announcement of the 2019 recipients of numerous accolades; plus, our T Australian Education Award for sports teams have provided many exciting Innovation in Curriculum Design was a interschool challenges in TAS and Junior proud moment for the College as it was TAS competitions. an award that so many people contributed Our Centre for Learning and Innovation towards. Another proud moment was the announcement by the Queensland Branch has become a vibrant hub of activity. Its of the Australian Council for Educational popularity with students and teaching staff Leaders, who presented the award for has been extremely gratifying. Its use and Excellence in Educational Leadership to our adaptability are remarkable; not surprising Deputy Head of College. Two more staff that it received two separate architecture and members received recognition as Microsoft construction awards for its functional design. Innovative Educator Experts, bringing our All in all, we have had a remarkable year. total up to six, which is quite an outstanding The following pages capture some of the achievement for a school. Plus, Edutech Asia memorable moments from our second has announced our nomination for three of semester. Please enjoy. their major awards. On the student front: Music, Drama Brett Webster and Humanities students have also been HEADMASTER 2 | The Oracle | Ormiston College Ormiston College | The Oracle | 3 A GREAT TRIBUTE Congratulations TO OUR STAFF Ormiston College In June, we were extremely honoured to be named as a finalist in several categories of this year’s Australian Education Awards. Finalists represent the very best in the education sector, both Government and Non-Government, Australia wide. This not only bestowed merit upon the College, but also recognition for the extraordinary work of our teachers and administrators from Prep to Year 12. n Sydney, on 16 August, at approach in the delivery of curriculum Ithe 2019 Australian Education and appropriate development of 21st Awards Ceremony, Ormiston century skills. College was officially announced If you ask an Ormiston College as the Winner of the Innovation in student what they love about Curriculum Design Award. This was an their school, their answers will enormous achievement for our school include things such as: it is safe and as it reflected upon the application, supportive, friendly and welcoming enterprise, accomplishment and and that the teachers really care ingenuity of our staff. So many people about their individual learning. They are to be congratulated for their part also love that it is innovative and in this national award. enjoy the world-class facilities and The award acknowledges the environment of the beautiful campus evolution of the Ormiston College in which they learn. Teaching and Learning Framework As members of the Ormiston over many years. It recognises how College community, we can feel very the change process was driven by proud of the meaningful award, as it our teachers, heads of departments mirrors the excellence and quality of and executive staff – the past the Ormiston College education. teamwork and collaborative process, incorporating the key elements of the Ormiston College continues to Dimensions of Learning Framework, expand its excellent reputation, 21st Century Learning Design and how both locally and globally. Our we set the scene for our innovative latest accolade, the 2019 Australian INNOVATION IN Ormiston College environment. It Education Award for Innovation in characterises our academic rigour Curriculum Design, is one of which we CURRICULUM DESIGN along with the necessary advanced can all be very proud. 4 | The Oracle | Ormiston College Ormiston College | The Oracle | 5 “ What do you do with an idea? You change the world. DESIGN THINKING PROCESS Kobi Yamada” PROTOTYPE EMPATHISE Build a representation of one or more of your ideas to show to Ormiston College Learn about the others. Remember: audience for who DEFINE IDEATE IDEATETEST A prototype is just a you are designing. rough draft! TEACHING AND LEARNING FRAMEWORK Who is my user? Create a point of Brainstorm and come Share your prototype What matters to view that is based up with as many idea with your this person? What on user needs and creative solutions, original user for problems might insights. What are products, processes feedback. AMANDA BOWKER they face? their needs? or services as What worked? Dean of Teaching and Learning possible. Wild ideas What didn’t? are encouraged! In a rapidly changing world, it is easy to get lost in new agendas, new initiatives and new fads. The world of education is no different as changes to curriculum, emerging technologies and different priorities are constantly bombarding schools and in the curriculum, with a hands fly up. While some of them want to recall educators. 2. Academic Rigour strong focus on direct instruction of Literacy and their weekend or share their sore finger, there Numeracy, as well as transferrable skills that promote is a willingness to share their ideas with others. o, a few years ago, as a team of higher-order thinking; and to the lives of Unfortunately, this is easily lost: “What if my idea is e of Learn 3. Relevant ltur ing S passionate educators, we came Cu our students and the world beyond the classroom. silly?” “What if others do not understand?” P together to clearly articulate what an ing ro Interwoven throughout the Framework is the To encourage this ability to problem-solve and rn ator fe a gul ss Le re K io Ormiston College student would look l lf no n focus on students developing 21st century learning innovate throughout the students’ schooling journey, a Se w a n le l o d L like in this changing landscape. We knew i g s e e skills: Collaboration, Self-Regulation, Knowledge we use the Design Thinking Process. s a e C r n first and foremost they needed to be f o o Classroom n i Construction, Skilful Communication, ICT for Learning r s n C g t g Emphathise P r Learning r u Lifelong Learners. To achieve this, we n u i o and Real-World Problem Solving and Innovation. l t c t n Environment t The process begins with students empathising a u r r o knew that it was vital that our community r r a o e b e with others. We achieve this by sharing a picture book a Real-World Problem Solving and o L l l had a Culture of Learning; one that f S f o k or story, researching or conducting an experiment, or L C o Lifelong Innovation i l included our students, our staff and our e Academic f e u Learners a r In years gone by, schools were charged with the experiencing a real-life situation.