FaceTime Session Year Six and Year Four

These pictures are of when year six were working with year four and we were doing Google Docs and iFaith

My time at St Mary's Primary School, Essex, UK

My pilgrimage didn't end with the footsteps of Saint Paul. I was fortunate enough to visit a gorgeous Catholic Primary school in Essex. The students were full of spirit and extremely polite. My first encounter with the school was a lovely prayer space which reminded me of our school. It was a great way to be greeted. As I waited for the head teacher (Principal), I sat in a room full of photos of the student's (past & present) drama performances, musicals, school photos and achievements. The wall was filled with thank you letters to the head teacher and dedicated staff. It was a great way to introduce the school to me from the community's perspective. I then was given the grand tour of the grounds. A beautiful, idilic building that was once built by a wealthy family for their son and his bride as a wedding gift. The art room use to be the servant's quarter and the reception (kindergarten) library is where they would of had their closet! Oh how times have changed! But what a great experience and page of history for the students as their minds are developing, to be surrounded in these quarters. I was then whisked off to the Year 3 and 4 classrooms (this is where my babies are at home so I wanted to see if I could get some ideas for my chickens!). Well, exactly that, as I entered the buzzing classroom 12 students were over joyed as their little chicks had just hatched - they had been doing this for their Science unit. During my time here I acquired a little friend called Alfie. Throughout the afternoon Alfie then became my shadow - too cute, can I take him back to 4blue??? As the chicks were hatching in the one of many 'breakout' rooms (each stage shares two break out rooms either used for art, hsie or science. These breakout areas join the two classes together and both teachers work collaboratively together. The second break out room is a library on each floor. Each stage has their own library and mini computer lab which students work in pairs or individually). There is so much colour and creativity on the walls but most importantly these students are all smiling ! That is just a great thing to see. The teachers are very proud of their school and so they should be. They pride themselves on the pedagogy of 'play' in education and allowing students particularly in the lower grades to direct their own learning. When I asked if this was something new they have adopted they said no they have been doing it for years. These teachers were pros! I learnt so much. They were interested in the student as a whole and nurture all needs. They encourage the creative arts and regularly do high end musicals. I wanted a ticket to their next show!
Overall I had an extremely fun day with the gorgeous students at St Mary's ... It has made me reflect on my teaching and has made me ask some questions about pedagogy, in particular catholic pedagogy. Something I am interested in discovering further when I return to Sydney. God bless St Mary's and the gorgeous little Alfie xxx