Kildare College is implementing dynamic changes to its teaching and learning practices in 2018, with the introduction of a new vision for the Middle Years. Aimed at students from Year 7 – 9, the vision focuses on the concepts of challenge, inspire and act.
“The vision guides and shapes a new way forward for the college that responds to our changing world and the challenges, needs and developing maturity of emerging adolescents,” explains Principal, Margaret Rouggos.
“The vision provides a broad, connected teaching and learning program which engenders a spirit of inquiry and fosters creative and critical thinking.”
As part of the vision, staff at the College are committed to:
Creating opportunities and the environment for students to be challenged in their learning
Inspiring students to exceed their potential
Embedding the Kildare Ministries Core Values and Catholic Social Teachings across the curriculum so students act with a strong sense of justice and compassion
Core learning in the Middle Years will occur across two integrated subjects:
STEM (Science, STEM and Geography) - Students learn how to identify problems, design investigations and analyse data to recognise patterns and trends and form conclusions. Through increased digital literacy, they will think creatively and use problem, solving
HUMS: (English, History and Religion) - This subject provides opportunities for students to make authentic connections across learning areas and relate these connections to their real world placing it in the context of 21st century learning pedagogies.
Inquiry based learning focuses on teaching skills not knowledge. Students take ownership of their own learning, going beyond memorising facts and content, toward meaningful research. By teaching the skills of observation, analysis, collaboration and problem solving across different learning areas students make connections between their world and what they are learning at school.
“Students develop capability when they apply knowledge and skills confidently, effectively and appropriately in complex and changing circumstances in their learning at school and in their lives outside school.
“We want to inspire our students to take responsibility for their learning, be positive risk takers and achieve personal excellence.”
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