Brian's Blog

Exploring and crafting a rich and engaging curriculum is more than ticking off boxes and working through guidelines; it is a dedicated effort to comprehend the intricacies of what our students need to know, understand, and do along with how they learn and how best to facilitate this. By immersing ourselves in the curriculum, we are better equipped to guide our students through a well-structured educational experience, ensuring they meet academic expectations and develop the essential skills and critical knowledge necessary for their future pursuits (Boyle, 2008) . As this post is being written, those who follow the Christian calendar are in the middle of Lent leading into a time of remembrance and celebration over Easter. Lent calls us to navigate the delicate balance between self-discipline and self-care, encouraging us to seek harmony between sacrifice and sustenance, between growth and personal wellbeing (Murray, 2015) . As we explore the multifaceted challenges of nurturing success...

In our role as educators, we constantly strive to equip students with the skills they need to excel not only academically but also in all facets of life. One such crucial skill is critical thinking, which enables individuals to analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions. This skill is fundamental for success in today's complex and rapidly changing world (Facione, 2011). The purpose of this blog post is to demonstrate the significance of critical thinking and the transformative influence of visible thinking routines in nurturing this vital skill. The post aims to advocate for a shift in practices towards a more student-centred approach, enhancing student learning and promoting lifelong learning. This approach encourages students to become curious, reflective, and independent thinkers (Brookhart, 2017). Early in my teaching career, I was introduced to the work of Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison (2011) through Harvard University's Project Z...

  This week has truly been a whirlwind of emotions. It began with the exciting and nerve-wracking process of selling our home and purchasing a new one, a journey filled with anticipation and hope for the future. However, amidst this excitement, life threw a curveball with the passing of my Aunty and Godmother. Saying goodbye to her at her funeral was a sombre, reflective and celebratory moment, reminding me of the fragility and unpredictability of life. Professionally, this week presented its own set of challenges. As the new guy, in the role of Head of Junior School, I found myself grappling with weighty decisions that would have significant impacts on others. As a leader and teacher, the responsibility weighed heavily on me as I am continuing to get to know my team and the cultural context of my school. These experiences highlighted the nuanced and multifaceted nature of leadership roles, serving as poignant reminders of life's complexities and the weight of responsibility they e...

In modern education, the term diversity has become a buzzword. However, it is also a reality in most classrooms that teachers must address. Students come from various cultural backgrounds, possess different learning styles, have different learning needs and diagnosis and approach schooling with a unique set of strengths and challenges (Tomlinson, 2001). To meet the needs of our diverse student population, schools must embrace differentiation and go beyond the one-size-fits-all approach by supporting teachers to make it a core element of their teaching philosophy. In this blog post, I aim to examine the significance of differentiation and its role in addressing the varied needs of students. My hope is it will serve as a resource to provide educators with insights and strategies to embrace diversity and tailor learning experiences to individual students. Ideally helping educators to see past the buzz and foster an inclusive and successful learning environment that caters to the needs of ...