Educate

You might be surprised to know that there is more to school readiness than writing the alphabet and counting to 100! Early years teacher and mother of two, Lauren Hunt, gives us 5 important skills for starting school that have nothing to do with a pencil and paper!

St Peter’s Woodlands this week launched its DARE Graduate Diploma — a 12-month experiential learning program that’s completed at home as well as at school. As part of the program, the students will be tasked with developing essential life skills — including household chores and preparing a 3-course meal for their family — undertaking a year-long Passion Project on a topic or subject that inspires them, as well as completing community service.

Children’s brains are still developing, which is why they often find it difficult to manage their ‘big feelings’. Having a basic understanding of the various structures and functions within the brain can help us to understand children’s behaviours and manage those big feelings more effectively. Kerra-Lee Wescombe from Connect.Ed explains it in a simple way, using the hand model of the brain.

Welcome to the new school year. After being in somewhat of a COVID bubble over the Christmas holidays, and having online and staggered starts, returning to school has fuelled anxiety in both parents and children! Teacher and counsellor Mark Le Messurier gives us some of his top tips for busting the back-to-school anxiety.

Since its launch in February 2021, The Blackfriars podcast, The Torch has covered everything from teacher interviews to the annual swimming carnival and is used as a tool for building communication and collaboration skills, while at the same time giving students the media skills of the future.

There is an enormous body of research showing that participation in music making directly affects children’s developing nervous systems. Music is one of the few things that uses both sides of the brain and it is also a dynamic way for children to develop their language and maths skills. Elizabeth McCall from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra talks to us about the ASO learning and community program and how we can support South Australian children from all backgrounds to participate in music making.

The early years (officially 0-8) are such an important time in a young person’s life. They have an enormous thirst for knowledge and pretty much everything is new. Madhavi Nawana Paraker from Positive Minds Australia has given us 8 simple ways to help early learners thrive, that won’t put you under more pressure than necessary.

So what is good sleep? And how do we get it? Brooke Michell from Calm Space Psychology takes us through the value of healthy sleep for school children and how to make the most of those szzzzs!

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) views early learning as the very important first step in a child’s educational pathway. Through a commitment to educational excellence, Catholic schools provide quality learning in a Catholic context – from the early years through to year 12 – instilling values that will last well beyond the schooling experience.

The South Australian education sector is building on its world-class vision, proudly opening 4 new schools in metropolitan Adelaide and the country in 2022, and another brand-new school opening near the heart of the city beginning 2023. We take a look at the state-of-the-art schools on the way for SA.

As parents, it’s our role to nurture childhood, to provide the space for our children to be curious, creative and courageous. There are few things more rewarding than seeing your child develop their sense of self, witnessing them find their place in the world and cultivating their understanding of their own impact, abilities and strengths. While tinkering with pots, pans, spoons, tools, flowers and dirt may seem like little more than a recipe for a pile of washing and good scrub in the bath, it’s so much more than mess.

Gaming addiction is a massive problem for parents all over the world. There is a window between the ages of 11 and 22 where our sons and daughters are at their most vulnerable to becoming addicted to games (and anything else for that matter). Gaming addiction expert, Simon Andrews from OK Psychology gives us some tips on how to develop a plan for incorporating real life and screen time into our kids activities.

Significant investment has been committed to continually improve learning environments in schools across SA. Take a look at some of the major school upgrades completed, underway or scheduled for commencement this year.

Over the last five years, education design – or in some circles – learning environments, has become one of the most sought after and innovative categories in Architecture. This influx of design projects has been seen at all levels of learning from early childhood centres through to higher education settings, and budgets that range from $5 million to $90+ million. Dr James Crane, design academic, writer, educator and SA DIA Deputy Chair takes us through some of SA’s up and coming innovative learning environments.

St Raphael’s School in Parkside has announced its upcoming multimillion dollar redevelopment, featuring purpose built flexible learning spaces to inspire creativity and encourage collaboration, including a dedicated, state-of-the-art STEM facility.