Nhill Lutheran School visit to Queensland – Contemporary Learning Tour
All staff from Nhill Lutheran School, Victoria including an Administration Officer and Council Chair recently engaged in a contemporary learning tour in Queensland. Over the few days there were rich engagements, learning by all and deep professional networking between Nhill and 4 Queensland Lutheran Schools. https://www.luthbrislearntour.com/
Day 1 Bethany Lutheran Primary School
An enriching afternoon was had by all facilitators and participants at Bethany Lutheran Primary School as Heidi, Rebecca, Josh and all the staff at the school guided us through their journey of transformational contemporary PBL pedagogies across their innovative learning environments. Being able to speak to all the teachers and visit the students enabled us to gain greater insights into the success in learning being facilitated at Bethany Lutheran Primary School.
The tour dinner again enabled rich fellowship and cohesive support for one another and across schools and regions to enable contemporary learning. There were enlightening conversations mixed with fun and enjoyment.
Day 2 – Trinity Lutheran College
Doug Braiden and Jen Gibb took the group on an authentic journey of Contemporary Transformation at Trinity Lutheran College – Gold Coast. Success factors and challenges were discussed and displayed relating to innovative learning environments and experiential pedagogies. The buzz of ideas, questions and translation across contexts from all the visitors and facilitators filled the air!
Day 2 LORDS Lutheran College
A wonderful episode of an example of contemporary learning was shared during the visit to LORDS Lutheran College. Jodie Hoff , Kellie Hardke and Leah Haywood took us on an in-depth journey of an extremely rich year 1 PBL unit of work involving the application of Human Centred Design (Design Thinking) scaffolding Service Learning to engage the students in deriving provocations and producing solutions to real problems existing in aged care. We were amazed at the rich learning, application and student exposition of their learning while displaying their learning portfolio. This type of contemporary learning will not only richly develop contemporary soft skills while supporting academic rigour but also these kids will never forget these learning experiences! Contemporary Learning = Experiential pedagogies + Innovative Learning Environments + Enabling Culture.
Day 2 Faith Lutheran College Redlands Junior Campus.
A great school visit was had at Faith Lutheran College Redlands – Junior Campus. Shane Altmann, Greg Tagney and Jodi Blackwell and all the staff welcomed our sisters and brothers from Nhill. We were privileged to connect with all year levels and spend a lot of time engaging with teachers and students and discussing the PBL units. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to the journey stories of contemporary transformation and future plans to further enhance the experience for all learners including the highly dedicated educators of Faith Lutheran College.
Visits to Tertiary Institutions – QUT Cube and QUT’s Brand New Education Precinct!
There were also some short visits to some tertiary innovative learning environments as we examined the calls and vision for transforming traditional tertiary practice. This included a visit to the brand new Education Precinct of Queensland University of Technology. The executive dean of education recently stated that the precinct has no lecture theatres but does have many creative inquiry spaces. She also stated that they need to model the contemporary practices that they are expecting graduates to engage with or influence in their career.
“Back home and reflecting richly and deeply on our Brisbane experience.” Damon Prenzler Principal
“I’m not of an educational background, but after a contemporary learning tour, I have come back with greater appreciation for educators who strive for better student outcomes. My only disappointment is that all my children have completed primary school and won’t be able to experience the transformation that the Nhill Lutheran School is beginning to undertake.” Kim Croot Council Chair
The group were so enriched by also having the next two days back at their school following the learning tour to debrief, plan and act. From all reports, the planning was immense and the passion and energy continued to flow.
