In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Sonia Weston, Deputy Head of Junior School for Curriculum, and Natalie Hird, Deputy Head of Junior School for Operations, about the innovative approaches that create confident, curious learners in MLC School's Junior School.
Sonia shares her observations about the School's unique culture and how MLC School honours each developmental stage - from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6 - ensuring that students aren't simply being prepared for the next level, but are fully engaged in rich learning experiences appropriate to where they are right now.
The conversation explores the complementary nature of Sonia and Natalie's roles, with Natalie overseeing day-to-day operations including timetabling, staffing, compliance, NAPLAN, and the extensive co-curricular program, whilst Sonia works collaboratively with grade teams to design curriculum, embed differentiation, and implement assessments. Together, they ensure both operational excellence and innovative teaching approaches work seamlessly.
Natalie describes MLC School's commitment to going beyond the mandatory curriculum, with Italian language learning from Kindergarten, a unique Language Carousel program in Year 6 where girls experience Mandarin, Japanese and French, and universal instrumental music from Year 1. She emphasises the School's focus on STEM education, explaining how vital it is for a girls' school to dedicate significant time and energy to subjects where girls have traditionally lacked confidence - mathematics, science and engineering - starting from Pre-Kindergarten with age-appropriate lessons.
The episode includes a delightful example of this approach in action: Sonia describes a Kindergarten STEM lesson where girls studying 'The Three Little Pigs' built houses from different materials, tested them by blowing them down, compared data about which materials worked best, and engaged in rich conversations linking literacy, vocabulary, science, engineering and mathematics - demonstrating how MLC School gamifies learning whilst maintaining academic rigour.
Both educators discuss the School's thoughtful approach to technology, how MLC School keeps parents informed and involved through multiple touchpoints throughout the year, and how the School manages personalised learning at scale through evidence-based screening tools and close work with the Learning Enhancement Department and High Potential team.
The episode highlights MLC School's unique Year 6 model, where students are based on the Senior School campus, learning from specialist Senior School teachers in subjects like visual arts and languages, creating a seamless transition to Year 7.
The conversation concludes with both educators reflecting on what 'dare to be more' means to them - Sonia describing it as embracing discomfort and challenge as part of growth, hoping that teachers and leaders model this for students by stretching themselves and taking on new challenges, whilst Natalie connects it to MLC School's 140-year history of preparing women for university and the School's values of courage, growth and justice.
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Host: Anthony Perl
Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services, visit podcastsdoneforyou.com.au.
