ESF CPD day 2 October 2015
The ESF Professional Development day this year focused on improving student learning in a holistic sense – considering lifelong learning beyond subjects, and how we might ensure there is a greater degree of ‘values education’, more ‘balance’ in students’ lives and enhanced well-being as a result. The focus was on ‘who our students are’, ‘who they might become’ and how sustainable their way of life is beyond schooling.
On this day, over 2500 colleagues focused on a shared understanding of an ESF education in three large events for teachers and one for educational assistants. Early years’ teachers worked with lower primary teachers, and upper primary teachers work with some secondary teachers. The remainder of secondary staff looked forward to the transition from the senior years into the world beyond school. It focused on genuine lifelong learning and what might influence an ESF student who graduates between the years 2016 and 2020.
Our staff and students provided many different workshops in both conferences providing ‘deep dive’ experiences lasting 2½ hours and repeated 1 hour sessions. Workshops included ‘Concept Based Learning’ ‘ Scientific Thinking in the PYP’, ‘Using Pathbrite Portfolios’, ‘What it is like to be an applied learner’, ‘Design thinking for better feedback’ and many more. We also had some students taking part. Mr Silverthorne and Neil Bradley (Y13) presented a workshop ‘Design Thinking for better feedback’, Ariq Hatibie (Y13) and Mrs Crouch presented ‘ The TEDx challenge – planning and organizing a TEDx talk’, Ruxy Vassille (Y13) Kyle Li (Y12) and Davin Palakal (Y12) with Ms Davey Peel did a workshop on ‘Supporting Internationalism to secure active and engaged learners’. Two of our alumni, Cruzanne McCalister and Katherine Hampton also presented workshops.
Reflections from all teachers and EAs that the day was very beneficial and packed with learning experiences, many of which can be transferred into the classroom.
Annette Chapman
Director of Learning Family
