Global Learning - Sister School Relationship
Artefact 1
Annotation
​
When: Global learning has been part of our school’s learning culture since 2012. What: It was designated as one of the school’s major initiatives with committee members (teachers) from every stage across the whole school. Why: This is to ensure all teachers are culturally sensitive and responsive to students’ learning needs. How: Global learning encompasses multicultural festival celebrations such as the Dragon Boat Festival (K-2) and the Moon Festival (K-6) as a way to establish meaningful and proactive partnerships with our community (parents).
​
When: Sister School Relationship with China was established in 2011. Chatswood Public School, with 85% of our students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB), is committed to Asian Literacy with all students learning either Chinese (Mandarin) or Korean. Why: To prepare our students to be globally active and informed citizens. How: Between 2011 and 2013, Chatswood Public School established extensive sister school program in China (two sister schools, in Beijing and Nanjing) and Korea (Seoul). What: This allows mutual exchange of principals, staff and students to bring about exchange of ideas, teaching and learning strategies and experiencing new cultural food and customs.
​
The Significant Impact
To prepare the students for their visit to our sister schools in Korea and China in June 2016, they have to attend International Culture Club every Friday lunch in Term 1 and 2. They learn about significant cultural customs, historical sights and essential target language, such as how to address teachers respectfully.
​
This is directly related to our strategic direction 2015-2017 under Real World Connections. The students have the opportunities to better understand and prepared for the world around us. They are able to access learning opportunities through broader overseas experiences in a real world context. When their buddies returned to visit our school, our students are able to show empathy for others and model to the whole school that we value diversity.
​
The teachers, through participating in sister school relationship, celebrate the differences existing throughout our student population. They design and implement teaching and learning experiences and assessments that encompass deep thinking, innovation and creativity to help students to make sense of their world.
​
This is evidently shown in increased parent teacher/community engagement in our Global Learning projects, positive attitude towards students learning underpinned by a strong base of Quality Teaching.
Analysis
​
In our self-assessment process the leadership team analysed a range of evidence to support our judgement.
SEF Connections
Learning Element
Curriculum and Learning - Sustaining and Growing
When our students visit their sister schools in Korea and China, they are able to observe some classroom lessons, partake in extra-curricular activities, exchange cultural knowledge and sharing of interests. This is reciprocated when the sister schools students return to visit us. This creates a strong bond between our students and their buddies, preparing our students to be world class and informed citizens ready for the 21st Century.
Teaching Element
Collaborative Practice - Sustaining and Growing
Both teachers and students greatly benefit from our sister schools relationship. The photographs and videos of learning environments taken overseas inform and inspire our teaching staff to initiate changes to produce improvements in our school.
​
There is collaboration between the teachers through teaching classes in the sister schools. Ideas and strategies are exchanged, resulting in professional learning on both sides.
Leading Element
School Planning - Sustaining and Growing
Global learning is an integral part of our school’s large multicultural student/parent body. It is related to the Real World Connections, Quality Teaching and Leadership and shaping creative lifelong learners. It is an important and necessary part of our school plan. This emphasis on inclusivity and celebrating the differences continues to strengthen our school. Meetings are held every term for the Global learning team to ensure activities and events planning are on track.
​
Please check the link below re: School Excellence Framework