Celebrating our Vision

CELEBRATING OUR VISION AND QUEST

As we continue our journey towards creating a progressive and holistic educational environment, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates and reflections on our recent endeavours and future aspirations. Our commitment to fostering a unique and enriching learning experience for our students remains at the heart of everything we do.

Embracing the IB Diploma Programme

One of the most significant strides we’ve made is our work toward implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in the Academy. This globally recognized curriculum aligns perfectly with our educational philosophy, emphasizing critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and holistic development. The IB Learner Profiles resonate with our vision, nurturing students who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

We are excited to announce the upcoming visit of our IB DP Consultant, Les Millard, this coming Thursday and Friday. This visit has been a major focus of ours as we push ahead to gain authorization to teach the Diploma Programme in 2025. To engage our students, we are offering a unique SEED programme, being carefully written by Feli Pratto, to commence next semester. This programme will be focused on socializing the requirements and breadth of the IBDP to our Year 10 cohort, ensuring we are well-prepared for our pending approval.

The IB Diploma Programme not only prepares our students for academic excellence but also equips them with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. By challenging our students to think independently and drive their own learning, we are laying the foundation for lifelong success and global citizenship.

As we will soon – all industry going to plan – be the only school between the Hunter Valley and the Gold Coast offering the IB Diploma Programme, and our new building (Z Block) will be perfect for our planned start in 2025.

To find out more, please visit our Academy website – https://living.academy 

Links with VAST: Universal Qualities for Success

At Living School, we believe in cultivating qualities that transcend narrowly-focused academic achievements. Our VAST framework encapsulates the universal qualities for success, which are discussed more deeply here. The VAST framework includes:

Values (Ethics):

  • Respect: Emphasizing respect for self, others, property, and the environment.
  • Responsibility: Promoting responsibility in thoughts, words, actions, and deeds.
  • Relationships: Building positive relationships and fostering a sense of community.

Attitudes (Capacities):

  • Confidence: Building self-assurance and the ability to face challenges.
  • Openness: Encouraging an open mind and acceptance of new ideas.
  • Resilience: Developing the strength to recover from setbacks.
  • Excellence: Striving for high standards in all endeavors.
  • Passion: Fostering a love for learning and enthusiasm.
  • Patience: Cultivating the ability to remain calm and persistent.
  • Positivity: Promoting a positive outlook and optimism.
  • Perseverance: Encouraging determination and persistence in the face of obstacles.

Skills (Competencies):

  • Initiative: Encouraging students to take the lead and be proactive.
  • Organisation: Developing strong organizational skills.
  • Questioning: Promoting curiosity and the habit of asking insightful questions.
  • Thinking: Encouraging deep and critical thinking.
  • Practising: Emphasizing the importance of practice and dedication.
  • Communicating: Building effective communication skills.
  • Collaborating: Fostering teamwork and the ability to work well with others.
  • Synthesising: Developing the ability to combine ideas and information effectively.
  • Creating: Most importantly, nurturing creativity and the ability to generate new ideas.

These qualities are integral to our students’ growth, ensuring they emerge as well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.

Respect: A Key Core Value

Our new3Rs focus must be lived – and we are not always perfect.  Respect is a cornerstone of any community, and at Living School we must all strive to emphasize its importance through four key areas:

  • For Self: Promoting self-awareness and self-care, encouraging students to take pride in their achievements and learn from their experiences.
  • For Others: Cultivating empathy and kindness, teaching students to appreciate diversity and build meaningful productive relationships.
  • For Property: Instilling a sense of responsibility and care for personal and shared belongings, fostering an environment of mutual respect.
  • For the Environment: Encouraging sustainable practices and a deep appreciation for the natural world, empowering students to become stewards of the planet.

 

We all have a responsibility to nurture our culture. As parents/carers,  your strength in support for our school’s values pollinates our success.

By embedding these values into our daily routines, we create a supportive and respectful community where everyone thrives.

Celebrating the Lismore Lantern Parade

A highlight of our recent activities, and a great indication of our commitment to the local community, was our participation in the Lismore Lantern Parade. This vibrant event brought our Living School community together as we proudly carried the Serpent and Goanna lanterns through the streets of Lismore. It was a magical evening filled with creativity, unity, and a sense of belonging. Our students, parents, and staff worked tirelessly to create these beautiful lanterns, showcasing our school’s spirit and dedication to community engagement.

The Lantern Parade was not just a celebration of light and art, but also a testament to our commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. It was a moment of pride for all of us, reflecting the essence of what it means to be a part of Living School.  I commend Sammy Robinson on her coordination and drive, and Annie and Emma on their incredible leadership of our K-4, and Middle School families.

The Week Ahead – busyness

We have an exciting week ahead, filled with activities and events that reflect our commitment to holistic education and community engagement:

Monday  24 June:

    • Year 4 Tucki Tucki Tree Planting: Our Year 4 students will be contributing to the environment by planting trees, fostering a sense of responsibility and care for nature. 
    • Spelling Bee and Reading ‘Round challenge winners presented at Assembly.

Tuesday  25 June:

    • Three-Way Conferences: We are hosting three-way conferences to celebrate our learning and teaching. These conferences will be student-led, providing an opportunity for students to reflect on their achievements and set future goals.

Wednesday  26 June:

    • Year 8 HalveIt Camp (Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 June): Our Year 8 students will participate in the HalveIt Camp, as they prepare to run our Festival of Thought. This camp focuses on the seven keys for reducing our impact on future communities: Water, Waste, Wellness, Pollution, Energy, Environment, and Food.
    • Academy Creative Arts Showcase (Wednesday, 6pm, SCU Library): Join us for an evening of creativity as our Academy students showcase their artistic talents in the University library – this is such an inspirational evening, and to have this presented in the SCU library is fantastic!!

Thursday  27 June:

    • Les Millard Visit (Thursday, 27 and Friday 28 June): Our IB DP Consultant will be visiting, a crucial step as we work towards gaining authorization to teach the IB Diploma Programme in 2025.
    • Year 11 Drama Production: Our talented Year 11 students, directed by the creative Rebecca, will be presenting their drama production. Please note this event is strictly MA15+. It starts at 1.30pm, in D1.29 SCU (the same space we used for Alice in Wonderland). The production goes for about 45 minutes.

Friday 28 June (last day of semester):

    • HalveIt Community Celebration Day (Friday, 28 June): Families are welcome to join us for a day of celebration and reflection on our semester’s achievements. Our Middle School students will lead discussions on regenerative solutions, showcasing their projects and ideas for a sustainable future.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. Our journey is one of continuous growth and innovation, guided by our core principles and the collective vision of our community. Together, we will continue to create a school that not only excels academically but also nurtures the heart, mind, and spirit of every student.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to Living School. Let’s continue to inspire, innovate, and illuminate the path to a brighter future.