By connecting to the real world of students’ lives, authentic learning enables students to become lifelong learners who contribute to society and the wider world as active and discerning citizens. Authentic learning is central to our work as Catholic educators because it promotes the continual growth and wellbeing of the whole person — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically.
We are an Organic Learning school
Organic Learning is our unique school-wide learning framework based on the belief that effective learning is effective learning whether you are 5, 25 or 65. All learners at St Mel’s (students, teachers, leaders and parents) strive to speak the same language of learning, use the same learning tools and processes, and aim to acquire the same learning skills. This reduces ambiguity in learning and encourages all learners to be empowered with a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning.
St Mel’s provides a well-resourced, transdisciplinary curriculum that offers dynamic and challenging learning opportunities through rigorous explicit teaching coupled with flexible learning experiences.
Students are encouraged to have a voice in their learning and develop agency through goal setting and exposure to regular, specific feedback from their teachers and peers. Our school-developed Competency Rubric and Growth Menu assists all learners to articulate their depth of learning and metacognitive capability. We insist that attitude and effort are as important as achievement. This increases the student’s confidence as they experience success in their learning and learn to face the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Students are becoming outstanding problem solvers as well as problem finders. We foster in the students a love of learning and the skills to become an independent lifelong learner. Learning excites us!
For further information on Organic Learning go to organiclearning2.com