Quality teaching and learning is built upon developing positive relationships with the students, which are fundamental and particularly pertinent for boys.
The professionalism and dedication of our teaching staff to assist our boys to reset and regain routines cannot be understated. I would like to thank them for their tireless efforts in ensuring a positive start for all our boys this year, irrelevant of the challenge or disruption.
Our teachers continue to cultivate positive relationships with students through consistently providing high expectations, structure, enthusiasm and passion for teaching and learning, and showing an interest in the boys’ lives outside the classroom.
Positive teacher-student relationships promote a sense of school belonging and encourage students to participate cooperatively. Students develop confidence to experiment and succeed in an environment where they are not restricted by the fear of failure. Teachers assist students with motivation and goal setting, and students can turn to them for advice and guidance.
Our IGS Junior School teachers invest time in time and effort in developing and maintaining positive teacher-student relationships, as the benefit for both the teacher and student is immeasurable.
We are hopeful our connections not just with our boys, but our parents and the broader community will also strengthen as the year continues and we have opportunities to come together.
‘Every student matters every day’ – a mantra adopted from Mr John Fleming that underpins the teaching of our Junior School boys at IGS. We are extremely fortunate as a school to have been guided by Mr Fleming over the past eight years in implementing and developing our Explicit Teaching model, with ‘relationships’ remaining a cornerstone of this approach.
Mr Fleming is a recognised leader within the Australian Education profession and continues to work closely with IGS. His commitment to positively impacting the lives of so many Australian children and those who educate them is inspiring. Mr Fleming’s visit to our school during the last fortnight was a tremendous opportunity for our teachers to work closely with him through having lessons observed, seeking feedback and engaging in workshops across the school, inclusive of IGS Early Learners, Junior School and Senior School staff.
His passion for education is ever-present and infectious. It continues to be a privilege that our teachers welcome, in striving to improve on their practice in learning from someone of his calibre.
Establishing and maintaining routines, having clear and high expectations, getting to know our boys and building a rapport, using an Explicit Teaching pedagogy that allows boys to learn by doing, and challenging the boys to extend themselves – these are some of the key ingredients in assisting our boys to be confident and engaged learners. An approach that aligns so well to our School’s vison of ‘Exceptional Performance’.
Whilst we are very aware of the needs of our boys and are confident in our ability to deliver a quality educational experience, we continually strive to improve on our practice.
Our school continues to foster the relationship we have with Mr Fleming in ensuring we remain at the forefront of education and its delivery, for the benefit of our boys.
Ben Gates
Head of Junior School