These first few weeks at the new Ronghua campus have been an exciting and promising experience. The children arrived in their new rooms and learning spaces and have been actively engaged and eager to explore the campus. Already children are feeling comfortable and confident here. The year 1 learning space has been set with multiple stations for active learning and exploration. The children are able to create performances with the dress-up clothes available, explore geographic interests, identifying different parts of the world. There are opportunities for construction, mathematics tasks and an array of materials for further learning. The Year 1 students and teachers are often seen engaging in the learning space and on Monday mornings in particular, all come together as a Year level and take time to discuss the week and any events that may be taking place.
In the Year 2 space, consideration has been given to providing multiple spaces for individual, small and larger group working spaces. Teachers and children can utilise these areas, adjusting furniture and materials to best suit the requirements at the moment. Making use of the class iPads for literacy and Mathematics classes, or working collaboratively on projects. The children are being given great opportunities to work with a range of children and teachers from different classes and are already expressing their enjoyment of these surroundings.
It has been tremendous to see the different ways each of these year levels have worked to create and develop their spaces. The ability and the willingness of the teachers to determine what is best for the children and their learning is what makes the learning community spaces so meaningful. Where classes at Ronghua still maintain their traditional co-teacher class model, the stretching out into the shared space is what ultimately leads to a greater community and sense of belonging. Over the next few months as teachers and children become more familiar with the spaces and the different ways they can be used, it will be exciting to hear the children’s opinions and views of the Ronghua campus, and their new learning environment.
Lower Primary Coordinator – David BURTON