From the PDHPE classroom to history, science and beyond, teachers at Queenwood School are working to raise the bar in discipline-specific writing skills – and an instructional framework is paving the way.
Research shows how important it is to take an explicit approach to the teaching of early literacy if students are to flourish. Together we can develop these early literacy skills as a vital foundation upon which to build further skills. Getting this right from the beginning is essential.
Environmental issues loom larger than ever now and our students have many opportunities to learn about these issues, from simple ways to reduce energy use in Kindergarten to global climate or sustainable urban environments in Year 12. Just as importantly, girls have the opportunity to take action and learn how to translate ideas into action.
A week may be a long time in politics, but a day is an eternity in a pandemic. Things are moving very quickly again and I am grateful for the engagement and support of our parent community in recent days as we have worked with you to formulate our response.
At a time when it is tempting to focus on what we are missing out on, perhaps we can encourage our girls to consider with gratitude what they have been given in abundance. And of course, this is when our School motto comes into its own: Per aspera ad astra – Through struggles to the stars!
This week marks the 50th anniversary of Miss Beatrice Lilias Rennie’s passing on the 4th of September 1971. Miss Rennie has been remembered for her air of strength and leadership and her infectious love of literature.
I have been delighting in the Paralympic Games, perhaps even more that I was in the Olympic Games. The competition realises the foundational vision of the Olympics as an amateur event that brings different cultures together to celebrate unity.
The Premier outlined today a plan for return to face-to-face schooling, along with some changes to the timing of the HSC examinations. It is likely that Queenwood will take the same approach as that outlined this morning and, if so, it would look like this.
As our students step out into the world as young women, we are interested not just in what they can do, but who they will become. Together with our families, we work to shape the character of future generations to ensure they are equipped and motivated to make a difference in the world. For that reason, the School values remain at the heart of our mission.
We are conscious that, alongside the young people, parents and staff are dealing with significant challenges, as they juggle work commitments, childcare, lesson supervision and a whole range of COVID complications affecting our professional and personal lives. Supporting the wellbeing of the community is therefore at the front of our minds.
Every school has rituals, ceremonies and stories that reflect underlying values and contribute to culture. Rituals are habits that provide clarity and structure while ceremonies tend to be singular events that provide points of celebration, recognition, or symbolise important change.