KŌRERO FROM MEL
This week, we are continuing our journey through our CLOAK values, with L - Learning Power.
When we look at the badge for Learning Power, you’ll see a beautiful weaving pattern. This isn’t just a nice design; it represents how our brain works when we are truly learning. It's about how different ideas, people, and ways of thinking all weave together to make us stronger and smarter.
Learning Power at our school isn't just about getting a high mark on a test. It’s built on three big ideas:
1. Critical Thinking
This is our "detective mode." It’s about realizing that a fact and an opinion aren't the same thing. As our students grow from Year 7 to Year 10, they’ll start to challenge common beliefs and even their own ideas to see if they really hold up. It’s about being brave enough to listen to someone we disagree with so we understand the world better.
2. Creative Thinking
Some people think we’re either born "creative" or we’re not. That is a myth! Creativity is a mindset, not just an outcome. It’s the willingness to try a new approach even if we think it might fail. In this school, we want students to be "fearless with divergent ideas"—which is just a fancy way of saying: don't be afraid to think outside the box.
3. Connected Thinking
This is where the weaving really happens. It’s when we realize that what we learned in Science actually helps us in Art, or that working with a classmate helps us understand a problem much faster than going it alone. We want our students to actively seek out others to challenge their thinking.
