Stanmore Learning from experience We often hear that it takes a village to raise a child. In a school, where we are a community in every sense of the word, with a population much bigger than most villages, that turn of phrase has always rung true. So, what does it take to raise a learner? What does it take for a boy to experience success at school? I have often thought it takes a trio – a three- part harmony, with parents, teachers and boys all playing their part. On school days, one part of that harmony fades away at the gates on Stanmore or Newington Road, when mums and dads drop their sons off each morning, trusting them with us for the day. The harmony picks back up via inboxes or voicemails, or through conversations on sidelines and at intervals in performances. That is why we are always thankful for the chance to build our partnerships with parents in different ways. The Mrs Shelley Carruthers leads a hands-on Food Technology lesson for parents and carers forward-looking or reflective during the Stanmore campus STEM Festival. conversations at information and interview nights, between parents and opportunity to do a full dissection under their sons learn, how they interact with teachers or mentors, all play a part in Ms Heaume’s guidance. In the ideas, and how they try to spark and building our understanding of what is Technology Centre, classes of grown-ups foster their curiosity. It was a chance best for the boys in our care. looked at materials fabrication, design to give context and colour to thinking, coding and Indigenous cuisine. conversations about ‘how was your day It was wonderful to see that partnership Others examined sports-science at school’ over lots of dinner tables. played out in a different way during this principles under the tutelage of the year’s STEM Festival. Our Period 8 and We all look forward to more chances 9 initiative saw teachers from diverse PDHPE staff or rediscovered calculus for parents and the others in the areas across the school delivering with our Head of Mathematics. community to not only see, but also be lessons straight out of our teaching It was a rare opportunity to give parents a part of learning at the College. I programs to classrooms full of parents. the chance to experience what learning know that in the long-run our boys will At one end of the spectrum were hands- looks like for their sons across their thank us for it. on chemistry and astronomy lessons. In diverse curriculum. It was a chance for Mr Trent Driver a room nearby was the hands-in teachers to talk with parents about how Deputy Head of Stanmore (Academic) What are you grateful for? Robbie Ward (10/JN) I am grateful for going to Newington College and having the ability to strive for leadership and success, as well as having the support of all around me at the school. The rounded school culture allows me to develop important life skills that can be useful now and later in life. I show my gratitude by giving my family, teachers, mentors and other staff the respect they deserve for supporting me through my schooling career, and also by volunteering. Ms Joanne Heaume leads a dissection class for parents during the STEM Festival. 8| NEWS SPRING 2018 | GRATITUDE