Announcement : 

Our Learning

OUR LEARNING

Rationale

The world is a rapidly changing place. It is essential that schools are relevant, hothouses for young people to be nurtured to become confident contributing, change agents.Young people need to develop transferable skills in a highly technologically innovative world where new jobs are being created daily and entrepreneurship is increasingly necessary.Through the explosion of the ubiquitous use of technology, widespread accessibility has taken away sacred ownership and opened the sluice-gates of knowledge, allowing for powerful collaborative practice on a local and global scale. Critical, creative thinking, tenacity, perseverance and collaboration are the enablers of problem solving. Technology is the vehicle for the creation of solutions and new knowledge and ways of doing. Knowledge is important, it forms the context for solving problems but simply knowing and responding to knowledge in a conventional sense is not adequate for success in the 21st Century. Understanding the learning process, knowing how to learn is more important than simply knowing.

Young people are becoming involved in tackling world issues and solving problems. At Jireh Christian School students are being nurtured to be all they can be to bring Kingdom principles, the hope of the gospel, critical thinking, bold problem solving and ethical answers to every situation with a confidence which comes from knowing who they are in Christ.

The world is changing and the problems facing humanity are continually in the news. Students at Jireh are encouraged and guided to seek the answers and solutions to the essential questions facing the human race through a deep Biblical understanding so that they become radical, relevant and highly skilled Kingdom of God people in the 21st Century.

21st Century Pedagogy

There are three underlying foundations underpinning 21st Century pedagogy:

  1. The use of technology as a tool for learning. Technology in the 21st century classroom is not merely used as a replacement. It is used to create, solve problems and transform. A deep understanding of how technology works and how it can be used to create and innovate new ways of doing is where the power lies for education.
  2. Learning relationships have changed. Everyone is a learner and everyone is a teacher. Students learn from one another and teachers learn from students and from one another. Parents are learners and teachers, and very much involved in the learning journey of their children. Student agency is a high priority where students are intentionally taught and guided to understand how they learn. They are to be drivers in the creation and experience of the learning programme. Students become teachers, equipped and empowered to be lifelong learners. As they gain a deep understanding of how they learn and the learning process, they become designers of their own learning. The learning process and programme is no longer teacher driven it is a collaborative endeavour where the learner’s voice is powerful. That is not to say that the teacher is passive and gives carte blanche responsibility to the student. The learning endeavour is carefully and intentionally structured by the teacher so that skills, understanding and knowledge needed for the learning process is taught and a successful learner is modelled by the teacher.
  3. Deep learning tasks and outcomes are vital to make learning relevant. Students use real life contexts to solve problems involving an integrated approach through learning pathways which integrate learning areas across the curriculum. They are involved in real life contexts where they can contribute to real change in their community and in the wider context. They use technology to connect, communicate, collaborate and create new knowledge leading to possible solutions.

Key future skills and competencies to be developed

  • Creativity and imagination
  • Innovation – doing things and solving problems in new ways to make the world a better place
  • Good character – ethical, hard-working, possess integrity, considerate of others, doing with excellence
  • Citizenship – global knowledge, value and respect other cultures, actively involved in solving critical global issues
  • Communication – effective orally and when writing, using a variety of tools. A discerning and respectful listener
  • Critical thinking/problem solving – design and manage projects, make good decisions using digital skills
  • Collaboration – work in teams, social networking, empathy, contribute to the well-being and learning of others

Learning must be:

  • Relevant
  • Purposeful
  • Contextualised
  • Linked to previous learning
  • Of interest
  • Pique curiosity and exploration
  • Co-constructed
  • Give learner agency – understand and know how I learn, set my own goals, self-assess
  • Growing and stretching the learner to greater heights

Students will be encouraged and nurtured to become:

  • Biblically responsive
  • Independent
  • Collaborative
  • Critical thinkers
  • Significant contributors
  • Highly engaged
  • Ethical problem solvers
  • Creators/innovators
  • Life-long learners and teachers
  • Those who Love learning
  • Inquisitive
  • Confident
  • Succinct, persuasive communicators
  • Tenacious
  • Outward focussed, using their giftings for service
  • Glorifiers of God in all endeavours

CONTACT US

administration@jireh.school.nz

Phone 09 836 6913 63 

63 St. Georges Road, Avondale, Auckland 0600

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